Big changes as more contractors arrive onsite.....

 

The fabulous garden room windows are in!

There is no question about it the next couple of weeks are going to be the most difficult for us but also the most exciting.  Today we were down to living solely in the dining room and bedroom as the windows are being installed beginning with the lounge/garden room (which was our calm,warm sanctuary)  More contractors are arriving on site to undertake some of these major jobs and the drive is getting very congested with deliveries of materials and with vehicles. 

I have to admit that living conditions are a challenge at the moment.  I am writing this with the dog tied to my leg so that he doesn't escape as builders come and go through the many holes that we now have in the house. it is pretty cold (I am wearing a fleece!) and we are surrounded by heaps of belongings in boxes so we can never find anything that we need!  But it will be worth it and we can hardly wait.........

While we were away yesterday the fabulous windows were delivered from Olsen Doors and Windows (based in Newark) they are being fitted by Elite Installations specialists in this type of work.  We have been worried about the windows because, whenever you see a programme on TV about a property build, the windows are always the big issue.  They either don't arrive on time - or they don't fit.  Well ours have arrived - in fact slightly ahead of the timetable and the ones that have been installed so far seem to be the right size - Phew!!   What a difference they will make - 

Huge sliding door set for the lounge

More windows awaiting installation

These windows are aluminium (outside face) and wood (inside face) with triple glazed high performance glass.  They will have a U value of 0.95 and should make a real difference to the thermal efficiency of the building. Those in the garden room have a special coating to prevent overheating in that room and the flat roof will have a shade overhang.  

The new large sliding doors in the lounge

Meanwhile the winds have abated and the metal work has started again on the extension.  The roof is done and the walls are next - oh! and the chimneys are being re-clad in the aluminium/zinc as well so the builders have framed them up ready for this to happen. The builders are also busy putting up all the battens for the larch cladding.

Next week the roofers come to remove the old concrete tile roof and relay it with a slate look tile.  We are using Marley Garsdale Fibre Cement tiles.  This also gives us the opportunity to get the roof really well insulated.  This Marley product has been chosen to give a contemporary look to the building but also because it is a 100% recycled material - remember our mantra reduce, re-use, recycle!

In keeping with this mantra the mechanical ventilation and heat recovery equipment is being installed in the roof space and the various ducts that will extract and bring in the fresh air are beginning to snake through joists and down inside wardrobes and cupboards. 
This system will warm the fresh air coming into the house with the heat from the stale air that is being removed and is necessary because the house is going to be very airtight.  In this way we try to hang onto as much heat as possible so minimising the input from the oil heating. 

The good news this evening is that we are back in the lounge and the new windows at this end of the house are in - after cleaning up the dust storm all is warm (ish) again!