Cavity wall insulation around window - questionable building work....

FreeBear

stuart45 said:

The job does look a mess. The original window probably sat further back across the cavity, behind the face brickwork. There's not much you can do without removing the plasterboard. The inner reveals don't line  up equally each side of the window.

Agreed. I would be ashamed of that standard of <ahem> work.

And in a bathroom, surely one would be using moisture resistant plasterboard. Although, if the OP is having the walls tiled, a Wedi board or Hardibacker would be better. Line the reveal with Wedi board and use different thicknesses either side to balance up the gap and it would look a lot better.

Unfortunately, telling this "builder" how to suck eggs is going to result in a breakdown of any relationship and see him walking away before completing. Depending on how happy the OP is with the standard of work to date and getting what he/she wants, getting someone else in to finish off may be a better option.

Brain$torm

Thanks for the feedback.

He also stated that he wont fit another softwood door frame, after ripping the old one out.  He said MDF is better, as it doesn't warp, is straight and doesn't have any knots. I understand wood is a natural product and want a like for like, replacement.

FreeBear

Brain$torm said: He also stated that he wont fit another softwood door frame, after ripping the old one out.  He said MDF is better, as it doesn't warp, is straight and doesn't have any knots. I understand wood is a natural product and want a like for like, replacement.

MDF will swell up at the slightest hint of water. Around a window or door reveal, it will get condensation on it.

Yes, wood is much better, but getting hold of wide thin boards that don't cup or split is difficult. What I have done here is use ~200mm wide strips of plywood with a narrow strip of solid strip of timber glued to the outside edge. Does the job, and no risk of swelling like MDF would.

Brain$torm

Thanks for the feedback