First-time house renovation

latecomer

We have a new shed - it was put round the side of the house so I had to move it when I got home. Thankfully it wasn't too windy as carrying the panels myself was a bit tricky particularly in the dark. Decided to put them in th garage as I'm planning on treating them before exposing it to the elements. It seems pretty cheap and cheerful but then thats as expected, Obviously need to see what its like once its constructed and talkign of which I'll need to get cracking on getting the base ready. Need to do some more leveling and then create a frame and get down the hardcore and slabs. My folks are up later this week so no doubt my dad will be looking for things to do - good timing

andrew-b

Is the new shed treated at all already Latecomer? From experiences of painting our shed i'd say it's far easier to treat when it's up though bit that overlap, near fences and underneath you obviously need to do first.

ukmaggie45

Just had to share my moment of fame this morning. BBC Breakfast was doing an item on the clock change, and asked people to take a photo at 7.30am this morning. Took photo, emailed it to them, and a bit after 9am they showed my photo!!!


7.30 am by ukmaggie45, on Flickr

Back on topic, we're struggling with the bathroom stuff as builder wants it all decided, but after long visit to bathroom folks on Saturday we're still not very decided... Plus I am gutted we can't have the half pedestal sink I wanted in the bathroom. (apparently can only be installed on a stud wall as we learned today)

Yes, we have a back up pedestal basin idea, but I HATE pedestal basins as the one in our bathroom at home is a mess with pipes visible all over the place and a complete pain to clean because of that. :mad: :mad: :mad:

We've chosen toilet though, and using same one in both bathroom and shower room.

Not sure whether to go for tiles or WetWall in the shower room. But I think that comes later anyway. Pressure is for pipework IYSWIM.

The WetWall would just be for the shower area in the shower room, rest would be tile I think.

Doozergirl

I saw it maggie, lol!

If you don't like pedestals (I'm not a fan, they're just a bit boring) then what about a vanity unit with a bowl on top?

ukmaggie45

Doozergirl wrote: »

I saw it maggie, lol!

:j

I just feel ridiculously proud!

Doozergirl wrote: »

If you don't like pedestals (I'm not a fan, they're just a bit boring) then what about a vanity unit with a bowl on top?

We're having a (tiny) vanity unit in the shower room. I'm not really keen on them, though I know they can be useful for storage. Prefer to have as much easy clean as poss, and pedestals certainly aint!

ukmaggie45

OH called round at the house this morning to take photos. But they were working already and builder collared him to ask questions so he didn't get a chance. So it'll be tomorrow morning now, as it's more or less dark by the time he gets in now, and there isn't proper power in the house to light it up. Oh, the toilet's finally gone now too.

Builder has suggested that we lower the kitchen ceiling. Currently there's a square bit of ceiling at a lower level (it's underneath the turning step at the top of the stairs), plus the steels have to be sealed off too. So he suggests it will look better to have the ceiling at 2 different levels rather than 3. The extension part (diner area) will stay as it is, but the kitchen part would have a lower ceiling. Seeing as it's directly under the bathroom it makes it easier for pipe work too. And we can have downlights in the kitchen part too. So I think we'll go for it.

We also have to make a decision about the kitchen door. It was a sliding door, which I really didn't like - felt it was an accident waiting to happen for kids! So it's been taken out, and builder has opened up the whole of the wall from the side wall to where the under the stairs cupboard is in the hallway. IYSWIM. We may have a folding door in there, or a double door, which would mean we could have a longer run of units along one of the kitchen walls.

Yesterday they worked mainly inside since it chucked it down all day. Today they've started rendering the outside since it's such a gorgeous and dry day. Can't wait to get to see it tomorrow!

I think that they are going to put up the plasterboard in the extension this week, so then we can get the kitchen folks in to measure it up properly. We hope to see them this week anyway, as I'm hoping they can draw up how it will look with light granite (possibly Kashmire gold) on the dark grey cupboards and with either white or light oak wall cupboards. I really love the grey, but I think to have all of the cupboards in it will make the room seem a bit dark. The original drawings they did just show all the cupboards in dark grey, and with black granite, all a bit overpowering!

latecomer

@andy - its got something on it but the retailer says that it should be treated after assembly for long life (just checked and they say its got a base coat). Its going into the corner of the garden so one side and the back will definitely need done first.

@maggie - why cant they install a wall mounted sink on a solid wall? Could the pipes not be embedded in the wall? Nice sink btw
definitely a good idea to have the celing at a single level - will make it flow much better. PS congrats on getting your pic shown

I need to make some progress on the dining room so I'm going to try and get the last of the wall paper off tonight. Although that depends on actually getting home from work at a reasonable time. OH has managed to book a building control test of the drains for the day the builder can do and although they only give a 4 hour window he's going to be doing the boiler work at the same time so it shouldn't matter.

andrew-b

latecomer wrote: »

@maggie - why cant they install a wall mounted sink on a solid wall? Could the pipes not be embedded in the wall?

I'm wondering maybe build a false partition to bring the sink out from the wall enough to fit the pipework with shelf above the basin?

ukmaggie45

andrew-b wrote: »

I'm wondering maybe build a false partition to bring the sink out from the wall enough to fit the pipework with shelf above the basin?

Rooms too small to do that - as it is we're rather shoe-horning the bath in (we're having an 800 long one).

LC, not sure why builder not keen to cut into the brick. But it's an outside solid wall, just 2 bricks thick, so guess that's the reason.

I think the alternative sink (the one on a full plinth) will be OK, but I hope that all the pipes will be properly hidden. We have a spaghetti junction of drainage and water pipes behind the sink at home, every time I sit on the loo I look at it and it irritates the hell out of me. :mad: So I really intend to be fussy over the bathroom installation!

Good luck with the dining room!

Will get OH to drive me past the house on way back from counselling session, really want to see how it's looking now the render is beginning to go on.

latecomer

Have you looked for a pedestal that goes back to wall - thats what we went for to ensure no pipes would be seen from the doorway/hall as the sink is side on to the door.