Repainting of smoke-damaged roof boards

 Yet another phase of the restoration - repainting of smoke-damaged roof boards to match next door.

Fortunately the weather is good, and all-being-well the job should be finished and the scaffolding removed by Friday pm. Will be glad when the seemingly never-ending schedule of work has been completed, and we can just sit back and not worry about when the next workman may (or may not!) appear.

With our love to all

Mum & Dad

First barbeque using the garden room

Fathers' Day Week-end 21st June 2009

First family BBQ party using new Garden Room

May there be many more!

Dad

New gardenroom taken in the evening sunlight

One or two shots of the new gardenroom taken in the evening sunlight.

The atmosphere is very amenable both as regards the aircoditioning and the general feeling of comfort and relaxation - just what we hoped it would be. And there is a generous sense of space.

We are using a round table positioned just below the sliding window which is proving very convenient. Velux windows working well with useful remote controls.

Getting the feel of the new room before we decide on any further furniture or equipment.

The Amtico flooring creates a first-class impression. Due to rather inefficient workmen it took ages to complete, but the underfloor heating is working well and the overall effect is all that we hoped it would be.

Our gin and tonics taste good here!

More reports in due course.

Love to all. Mum & Dad

Inside nearly there!

A few pictures taken today before heading down to Marlow for William's wedding.

The electric underfloor heating has been put in and covered with a thin screed. So all that remains is for the amtico flooring to be fitted. Then the electrics need to be made live and a final coat of paint added and the inside will be complete and ready for furnishing!

That, of course, leaves the patio, which need a lot of work!

Mike

Looking good - windows in and first fix electrics complete

Hi Mike,

Up to date photos from today - looks great

Cheers

Paul

On the tiles!

A few more shots showing roof progress.

The roofer is silhouetted against the sky this afternoon as he fixes the final ridge tile, and we are now (we hope!) watertight. The four Velux roof lights are in, and diagonally opposite are the two with the electric control panels hanging down pending wiring up. Most of the roof insulation panelling is now in position.

External views show how the window frames abut the steelwork which will then be covered externally by shaped bridging wooden fillets.

I am disappointed that Dave has apparently conceded that he cannot improve on my sliding window system (despite 41 years of progress!) and has built the surrounding framework for the wall panelling accordingly.

With access to the new room now possible for us outside working hours we have been contemplating the most advantageous type and disposition of furniture to make the best use of the extra space and the views etc.

Decisions -- decisions -- decisions ------------ if you know what I mean!!

Dad

Window Frames

Pictures taken by Paul on Saturday showing roof and window frames.

One of the 4 velux windows in the roof is also in.

Mike

More Concrete

Concrete has arrived to fill in the gap round the existing base. Insulation (piled up on the terrace) and further screeds yet to be laid.

Window frames going in.

Roof tiling

Good progress with the tiling today

Further progress with the roof

A few photos taken on Thursday showing progress on the roof. It is now watertight, and most of the battons are complete. The rosemary tiles have been delivered, and should be on the roof shortly. Also, the timber wall at the 'bin end' is in place.

Mike

Roof back on track

A flying visit to Preston today to pick up Mumand Dad for Kate's wedding gave me the opportunity to see the extension and take a few pictures

The steelwork has now been shortened, and work can now continue on the roof. By the end of the day today most of the timbers were in place, and by early next week the roof should be watertight.

All this has meant that the plans have had to be changed slightly, and there will be gable end rather than a hip at the end closest to Cok's house.

Once the roof is complete the concrete base will be poured. The windows frames should not be far behind, and the double glazed toughened glass will be on order soon after.

Dave seems to be happy with progress and thinks that the building should be nearly complete by Easter weather permitting.

Mike

Glitch with the steelwork!

Dave and a joiner arrived today to start work on the roof structure, and soon ran into a problem.

The steelwork is too high!

Dave says that his work is not at fault (i.e. the walls are the right height.) So either the drawings are wrong, or the steel is too long. Either way, the steel is too high for slates and drainage on the back wall of the house.

Dave thinks that the steel will have to be shortened, and Simon has been called to review the situation.

Postscript:

Just to let you know that later this morning the steel erectors called to deliver another horizontal 'girder' for fixing on the housewall side of the new room. Dave made them aware of the problem and they promised to be here on Monday a.m. (weather permitting) to lower the supports as suggested.

Meanwhile, Simon is calling a.m. tomorrow (Saturday) to review the situation.
Dave said that one of the benefits of all this is that the horizontal drainage which previously was planned to pass through the room below the roof ( presumably hidden from view) will now be above the roof and not seen. Watch this space!

Dad

PPS It transpires that the older joiner who came today is actually Dave's father. Shades of Andy and F/in/Law Colin!

Steelwork

This morning, after a week of unexplained inactivity at Ashgrove, the steel erectors (who, apparently had been working on a job in Stoke) arrived, and by 4.30 they seemed to have completed most of the superstructure.

These shots taken at 5pm as the light was fading will give you some idea of the size and shape of the superstructure.

A pile of 'raw' timber has also been delivered for the roof supports.

Dave Carr was here for part of the day keeping an eye on things, and Simon also paid two fleeting visits, but we did not get a chance to speak to him.

Dad