Storm Gertrude takes a toll on the building programme........

Well, we really have had a very good run at this project with hardly any hold ups for bad weather.  However, the high winds from the recent storms have given us some problems this week.  On Wednesday the aluminium/zinc cladding was delivered and the the installation started.  However, handling long strips of metal high up on scaffolding in windy conditions is a health and safety nightmare so the front section of the roof has been completed but work has now stopped until the winds die down. It may be the middle of next week before they can get started again.

The first delivery of cladding

The cladding we are using for the new extension to the house is  Vieo - this is a cheaper alternative to zinc and, because the aluminium is coated in a zinc powder, should give a similar effect.  The builders are able to get on with the outside battening and insulation in preparation for the larch cladding which, together with a panel cladding by Marley Equitone Pictura in Moonstone and Deep Purple, goes on the existing part of the house. The idea of using different materials is to make quite explicit which part of the house is the 2016 extension. The pitch of the new roof at the back of the house is also very shallow and so this metal finish is ideal where tiles would not work.

 

Work inside continues at a great pace sheltered now from the worst of the wind and rain.  The upstairs extension is now insulated, and dry lined and you can already feel the difference in there even without the windows which are due to be installed from 8th February.


The kitchen and master bathroom first fix of electrics is almost done and we had to make lots of decisions this week about the exact siting of the kitchen island unit, power points, mirrors in the bathroom and attendant lights etc. etc.   The decisions are never ending is a really good job that we are decisive people and that we agree on what we want to happen - well most of the time!!



Our living conditions are interesting, to say the least, but we are getting warmer as more and more insulation goes on and once the windows go in we should feel a big difference.  We won't get our central heating back on for some weeks yet.  We expect to be another month without a proper kitchen too but luckily we have many good friends who take pity on us and local pubs!  

The bench seating which we saved from the original breakfast area is going to be cut down and remodelled as a window seat inder the new lowered window.

As the project gathers pace we are also getting to some of the nice bits like choosing radiators, carpets, colours and bathroom fittings. 
 

This carpet by Ulster Carpets (Boho range) has been made into a large rug in the dining room and the colour scheme for the rest of the ground floor is based upon it.

Today we have been making even more decsions about the security alarm and about where we want TV points etc. I have a spread sheet - (in fact we have several spreadsheets for different things like keeping track of the budget etc.) - my spreadsheet is to keep track, on a room by room basis, of the decisions we make re fittings and finishes. It is invaluable!