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The Build - Nearly done!!


Redoctober

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Yes it seems the main phrase for our build currently, is "nearly done" -  As much as September seemed to be a frustratingly slow month progress wise, I am optimistic that we shall see things all come together during October allowing us to move in for November !!

Having said that when I look back on the photos that I had taken, quite a bit of progress had indeed been achieved. It is easy to lose sight of such things when you are in the thick of it on a daily basis.

 

The upstairs is now complete – in as much as we are still awaiting the sanitary ware to be fitted – but the rooms have been decorated, the bathroom and en suite, paneled and tiled.

The paneling is moisture resistant MDF, which came in long panels, making it a lot easier to fit and also better than individual T&G panels. The floor tiles, laid in an OPUS design, went down on anti fracture matting.

 

The oak staircase arrived and has also been installed. We have gone for a predominantly oak staircase. The main stair treads are redwood as they will be carpeted. We decided to go against a full oak staircase as we were concerned about the noise, safety element when coming down them and also due to the financial costs. The cupboard under the stairs is yet to be completed. Once done this will prove to be a very useful storage area.

 

Downstairs, the cylinder and associated items are being installed together with the ASHP. The cylinder itself is a 170 litre tank which will have a recharge time of 37 minutes to 40 degrees.

This will allow the UFH to be fired up and thereby ensuring the screed floor would have dried out completely, prior to any tiles being laid downstairs.

 

The sitting room is now being plastered and will be painted in due course. The delay in getting this room finished was due to the fact that the chimney hadn’t been completed. Thankfully, it has now been done, which in turn, has allowed the WBS fitters to come and install the oak beam and register plate. The WBS won’t be fired up and formally commissioned until early Dec, due to the delays cause by the chimney not being done in time.

 

Outside, the stone work is almost complete. The chimney end will be finished this coming week and then work can turn to the awkward gable end above the single storey roof. We are now in discussions with a landscaper, so things must be heading in the right direction.

 

Over the coming weeks, the drainage system and treatment plant will be installed, allowing the roofer to return and fix the downpipes.

 

So by contrast, October should be the month when it all comes together - we can look forward to the kitchen being fitted, electrics and sanitary ware being installed and the floor tiles being laid.

 

Fingers crossed for a good month! Thanks for reading.

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Looking good, I think Jeremy coined the phrase “90% done only 90% to go”, I know, my build feels like that and I use that phrase myself .

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Wow, that's all looking fantastic! 

 

I have a fully oak staircase. I do find that it's not as safe coming down it as one with carpet TBH. The dog fell down it once too (shouldn't have been upstairs mind ;)). 

 

 

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@Redoctober  Looking good! I take it that's a 5kW ASHP you have? IIRC you should be able to access a floor drying out function for UFH on the controller.

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2 hours ago, Stones said:

@Redoctober  Looking good! I take it that's a 5kW ASHP you have? IIRC you should be able to access a floor drying out function for UFH on the controller.

 

Yes @Stones is it and yes the Electrician is due Tuesday so we can fire it up and get the UFH working. Thanks.

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This is the best...lots of struggles for most self builders but I love this build.

Either it's writing style or for once things went fairly well, in any case...love it

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Thanks @Tennentslager we have had a few issues  but nothing major thankfully and hopefully there will be no elephant traps as we approach the final stretch. As for the blog, I have tried to tell it as it is from our perspective, mindful that the build approach is one whereby I have employed a main contractor and subbies, as opposed to undertaking any aspect of the work myself, beyond general labouring work and decorating.

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14 hours ago, newhome said:

Wow, that's all looking fantastic! 

 

I have a fully oak staircase. I do find that it's not as safe coming down it as one with carpet TBH. The dog fell down it once too (shouldn't have been upstairs mind ;)). 

 

 

Maybe apply some clear anti-slip tape to the nose of each tread.

 

https://www.seton.co.uk/clear-anti-slip-tape.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1Ybd2eLz3QIVaLvtCh1aGQM1EAQYASABEgKUbPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#CLEAR4

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I can see similarities between your design and our first rented house. Was your design based on a traditional highland croft house?

 

This house had walls like a castle just two layers of solid stone with in fill. We had to pay an eye watering £90-£100 a month in oil and it never felt warm.

 

No automatic alt text available.

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@Thedreamer hopefully with the amount of insulation we have invested in, our bills will be no where near that and we will be warm! No I can't say I was influenced by a Highland Croft House but I can certainly see the similarities. Our inspiration came from an Oak frame company called Border Oak.

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