House renovation and garage build
Discussion
Started looking at bathrooms, we went to one of the local Matki dealers, but all they had was one display, and I'm not even sure if the shower in the cubicle was a Matki one, the salesmen steered us towards the KS Bathrooms range, which to be honest, I'd never heard of, the quality seemed good. Has anybody got any experience of them?
Other than that it was just a case of more gardening while the weather was nice over the weekend.
Other than that it was just a case of more gardening while the weather was nice over the weekend.
Following on from the bathroom posts, we got a call from the guy we are using to fit our bathroom - he has moved our job forward to the first week of August - result! Also the tiles we wanted are still available, so we will pick some samples up later in the week, a bit of a result after still not being able to find a vent cover for the office after not buying the nice wooden one we saw last year.
Talking of the office - we now have curtains:
Curtains by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
They aren't anything special, but at least now we can't see the houses on the other side of the road from in bed!
I've made a start on prepping one of the doors for painting, I just need to top the filler up in a few places, resand and buy some paint before the painting can start:
Filling holes in the door by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
We were going to test fit one of the unpainted doors today, but ran into a bit of a stumbling block, what height to put the handles?
Between the door panels - This looks best on the door, but may be a bit high? (This is a prime example of why I am better behind the camera)
Trying to decide door handle position - top by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Or where the previous handles were, which fits with the holes in the doors/frames and it a more normal height.
Trying to decide door handle position - bottom by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
What is the PH opinion?
There has also been quite a bit of progress on the garden, the Jen had the day off on Friday and the MIL came round to help/teach her how to sort the flower beds, so what was pretty over grown is now tidy, the veg plots are doing well, courgette and pumpkin seedlings went into the ground today and the onions and potatoes look like they are doing well. The grass is also looking a better, especially now that the edging has been done. Lastly as we have seen a few rats/mice in the garden a few traps have gone down.
Talking of the office - we now have curtains:
Curtains by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
They aren't anything special, but at least now we can't see the houses on the other side of the road from in bed!
I've made a start on prepping one of the doors for painting, I just need to top the filler up in a few places, resand and buy some paint before the painting can start:
Filling holes in the door by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
We were going to test fit one of the unpainted doors today, but ran into a bit of a stumbling block, what height to put the handles?
Between the door panels - This looks best on the door, but may be a bit high? (This is a prime example of why I am better behind the camera)
Trying to decide door handle position - top by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Or where the previous handles were, which fits with the holes in the doors/frames and it a more normal height.
Trying to decide door handle position - bottom by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
What is the PH opinion?
There has also been quite a bit of progress on the garden, the Jen had the day off on Friday and the MIL came round to help/teach her how to sort the flower beds, so what was pretty over grown is now tidy, the veg plots are doing well, courgette and pumpkin seedlings went into the ground today and the onions and potatoes look like they are doing well. The grass is also looking a better, especially now that the edging has been done. Lastly as we have seen a few rats/mice in the garden a few traps have gone down.
Since my last update rebuilding the garage has been bumped up my girlfriend's priority list (it was always at the top of my priority list), due to a break in, we don't think they took anything as luckily our neighbours were up at 4am and scared them off!
The alternative to rebuilding the garage, and probably the route we will take is to get the front room done, then turn the dining room into a temporary shed, which would need to happen while we rebuild the garage anyway. So to progress that we have had a quote for a wood burning stove to be fitted, although we really need to get on with emptying the room and stripping the wallpaper before that can happen. We also need to think about insulating the floor (after seeing PaulRockliffe's thread) but these are jobs for August, when we have a bit more free time.
Also on the agenda are the doors, looking at the doors and door frames closely it seems that the knobs/handles used to be fitted higher and the rebates have been filled in, so we have to see what we can do with them. Although it would be a shame not to reuse the original doors, I think it may be easier to just replace them. I did also think about replacing the door frames before we got the plastering done, but that was vetoed, so we will have to work with what we have.
The most pressing task is ordering the final few bits for the bathroom, which is being fitted on the first week of August, so far we are thinking:
Shower: Grohe Euphoria
Basin tap: Grohe Eurostyle Cosmopolitan
Bath tap: Grohe Eurostyle Cosmopolitan
Showerscreen: Generic glass one, does anybody know of any good deals?
Mirror: We want a heated one that is quite thin, we've seen a few, so will probably buy from whoever we get the rest of the stuff from.
Heated towel rail: Generic chrome one, is there any difference in brands etc?
Tiles: We have decided on the following combination, but still need to decide on if they will be staggered horizontally or on top of each other.
Tiles for the bathroom by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
We chose the Grohe taps etc because the feel well engineered compared to other brassware we've seen and felt like we could splash out a bit as we saved a lot of money on the suite, and it seems like there are lots of deals to be had online.
The alternative to rebuilding the garage, and probably the route we will take is to get the front room done, then turn the dining room into a temporary shed, which would need to happen while we rebuild the garage anyway. So to progress that we have had a quote for a wood burning stove to be fitted, although we really need to get on with emptying the room and stripping the wallpaper before that can happen. We also need to think about insulating the floor (after seeing PaulRockliffe's thread) but these are jobs for August, when we have a bit more free time.
Also on the agenda are the doors, looking at the doors and door frames closely it seems that the knobs/handles used to be fitted higher and the rebates have been filled in, so we have to see what we can do with them. Although it would be a shame not to reuse the original doors, I think it may be easier to just replace them. I did also think about replacing the door frames before we got the plastering done, but that was vetoed, so we will have to work with what we have.
The most pressing task is ordering the final few bits for the bathroom, which is being fitted on the first week of August, so far we are thinking:
Shower: Grohe Euphoria
Basin tap: Grohe Eurostyle Cosmopolitan
Bath tap: Grohe Eurostyle Cosmopolitan
Showerscreen: Generic glass one, does anybody know of any good deals?
Mirror: We want a heated one that is quite thin, we've seen a few, so will probably buy from whoever we get the rest of the stuff from.
Heated towel rail: Generic chrome one, is there any difference in brands etc?
Tiles: We have decided on the following combination, but still need to decide on if they will be staggered horizontally or on top of each other.
Tiles for the bathroom by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
We chose the Grohe taps etc because the feel well engineered compared to other brassware we've seen and felt like we could splash out a bit as we saved a lot of money on the suite, and it seems like there are lots of deals to be had online.
Following my previous post, we have bought pretty much everything needed for the bathroom, it is now in our spare bedroom - luckily we won't have any guests staying until after the bathroom is done:
Bathroom in the spare bedroom by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
We have also stripped the existing wallpaper off the walls, I had removed the polystyrene tiles from the ceiling before it was skimmed:
Bathroom walls stripped by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The next job is to paint the ceiling, before the fitter starts next month. He will be removing the existing bathroom. After lugging the 20 boxes of tiles up the stairs in the hot weather we've been having recently, I have realised how heavy they are, so I hope our old walls will be able to support them!
The only bits left for us to source are valves for the heated towel rail - does one need to be a TRV? And plugs for the bath and basin, I think we are going for the spring ones, as everyone seems to talk us out of the pop up wastes. We also still need to decide if the wall tiles should be laid in straight lines or staggered.
Away from the bathroom we have been enjoying the garden, in addition to BBQs, sunbathing etc we have also had the first of our potato, strawberry and chilli crops.
After the break in the other week a new garage has jumped up the priority list, so I've drawn some potential layouts in Sketch Up:
I had thought that a partitioned off area at the back would be good for storing the lawnmower/gardening crap, to keep the main bit of the garage free for car stuff etc, but Jen doesn't think it is good use of space and would prefer me to have a smaller garage, without the partition. I can see how it would work, but can see my dream of a tidy garage to work on my car (and only condition of moving here) fading away. So I may have to go back to the drawing board and measure the garden to see if we can fit a shed in somewhere. (The dotted lines are the size of the current garage).
Initial Garage Plan - Partition by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Initial Garage Plan - Small by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Bathroom in the spare bedroom by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
We have also stripped the existing wallpaper off the walls, I had removed the polystyrene tiles from the ceiling before it was skimmed:
Bathroom walls stripped by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The next job is to paint the ceiling, before the fitter starts next month. He will be removing the existing bathroom. After lugging the 20 boxes of tiles up the stairs in the hot weather we've been having recently, I have realised how heavy they are, so I hope our old walls will be able to support them!
The only bits left for us to source are valves for the heated towel rail - does one need to be a TRV? And plugs for the bath and basin, I think we are going for the spring ones, as everyone seems to talk us out of the pop up wastes. We also still need to decide if the wall tiles should be laid in straight lines or staggered.
Away from the bathroom we have been enjoying the garden, in addition to BBQs, sunbathing etc we have also had the first of our potato, strawberry and chilli crops.
After the break in the other week a new garage has jumped up the priority list, so I've drawn some potential layouts in Sketch Up:
I had thought that a partitioned off area at the back would be good for storing the lawnmower/gardening crap, to keep the main bit of the garage free for car stuff etc, but Jen doesn't think it is good use of space and would prefer me to have a smaller garage, without the partition. I can see how it would work, but can see my dream of a tidy garage to work on my car (and only condition of moving here) fading away. So I may have to go back to the drawing board and measure the garden to see if we can fit a shed in somewhere. (The dotted lines are the size of the current garage).
Initial Garage Plan - Partition by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Initial Garage Plan - Small by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Edited by Craikeybaby on Wednesday 24th July 22:50
I've been out in the garden with the tape measure, then back to the mac on Sketchup and think I have come up with the size of garage that will fit best:
Garage Plan by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Typically it is a compromise between the two I posted yesterday, 12' wide by 20' long, with the last 4' partitioned off, which will be a "shed" section, so I can have a garage just for my car stuff. As much as I'd prefer the wider option I posted yesterday, it doesn't leave much room down the side of the garage. So the flexibility of extra outside storage space won out over the bigger garage.
While I had Sketchup open I also did a quick mock up of what the bathroom will look like tiled and I think there will be too big an expanse of very light grey tiles, so we are now toying with the idea of an inch thick border at the top of the tiles on the wall that is being half tiled, which will also run round the middle of all the walls. Hopefully that will break up the expanse of solid white/light grey.
Garage Plan by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Typically it is a compromise between the two I posted yesterday, 12' wide by 20' long, with the last 4' partitioned off, which will be a "shed" section, so I can have a garage just for my car stuff. As much as I'd prefer the wider option I posted yesterday, it doesn't leave much room down the side of the garage. So the flexibility of extra outside storage space won out over the bigger garage.
While I had Sketchup open I also did a quick mock up of what the bathroom will look like tiled and I think there will be too big an expanse of very light grey tiles, so we are now toying with the idea of an inch thick border at the top of the tiles on the wall that is being half tiled, which will also run round the middle of all the walls. Hopefully that will break up the expanse of solid white/light grey.
As the bathroom is being fitted next week, I thought I'd better get the ceiling painted, so mist coat done this evening after work.
Looking at the wall we will only be tiling to half height, I think the top half will need skimmed. There are cracks/filled in holes where sockets used to be etc. Jen thinks the bathroom fitter included sorting that out in his quote, but I'm not so sure, so her job for this evening is to check that out.
We've also decided not to go with the darker border of tiles, partly due to indecision
meaning we've left it too late to order them. I'm still not convinced finishing the tiling halfway up the wall without some sort of trim will look that good. So combining that with the crappy condition of the wall behind, I'm thinking it may be best to tile all the way up on all four walls.
Looking at the wall we will only be tiling to half height, I think the top half will need skimmed. There are cracks/filled in holes where sockets used to be etc. Jen thinks the bathroom fitter included sorting that out in his quote, but I'm not so sure, so her job for this evening is to check that out.
We've also decided not to go with the darker border of tiles, partly due to indecision
meaning we've left it too late to order them. I'm still not convinced finishing the tiling halfway up the wall without some sort of trim will look that good. So combining that with the crappy condition of the wall behind, I'm thinking it may be best to tile all the way up on all four walls. We had a productive day today, finished painting the bathroom ceiling, collected the last few bits we need for the bathroom and cleaned the outside loo, as it will be our only toilet while the work is being done!
I also escaped to do a bit of car shopping and garage shopping. Unfortunately there wasn't anyone to help us at Warwick Garages, maybe I should have phoned ahead, rather than relying on opening times. The more I look at garages (I'm currently working my way through the "Who has the best garage on Pistonheads?" thread) the more I think it will be better getting a brick built one. Using man maths I've worked out that it will be better to pay a bit more now and not have to worry about maintenance in the next few years, especially as I'm not even sure how I would treat the wood on the wall that will be up against the boundary. I've recently discovered www.garageplans.co.uk has anyone used them?
I also escaped to do a bit of car shopping and garage shopping. Unfortunately there wasn't anyone to help us at Warwick Garages, maybe I should have phoned ahead, rather than relying on opening times. The more I look at garages (I'm currently working my way through the "Who has the best garage on Pistonheads?" thread) the more I think it will be better getting a brick built one. Using man maths I've worked out that it will be better to pay a bit more now and not have to worry about maintenance in the next few years, especially as I'm not even sure how I would treat the wood on the wall that will be up against the boundary. I've recently discovered www.garageplans.co.uk has anyone used them?
skintemma said:
What does the outside of the house look like? The most cost effective way to build a garage would be block and render. It would probably only take a decent brickie a few days to construct to wall plate. Biggest expense is probably the base - what kind of base is there under the current garage? We're building with block and then putting wooden cladding - another option maybe.
House looks great. Are you fed up with painting yet?
The house is pebble dashed, so I guess that would be the logical finish, although my girlfriend isn't too keen.House looks great. Are you fed up with painting yet?
Treated Lawn by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Am I right in thinking you went on a bricklaying course? Are you laying the blocks for your garage/stables?
The base isn't in great condition, it would had been put down in the 70's when Jen's granddad bought his Morris Marina, it is cracked inside the garage too. In any case I want the garage to be bigger than the current one, so will need a new base anyway.
AS the house is quite small the painting isn't to bad, but still has the same amour of cleaning up, that is the bit that I really hate. This month we'll only have half a wall in the bathroom to paint one the tiling is done. The living room is next on the list, but that will involve a lot of wallpaper stripping before we can even think about painting!
The current state of the bathroom:
Bathroom stripped by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Bathroom stripped by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
It is quite hard to take photos in there, even with the camera at the widest setting as it is a pretty small room. The old avocado suite and tiles have been removed and it seems that the new pipes/fittings have been replaced. The central heating system has been drained down so the pipes for the heated towel rail can be fitted.
The guys had already left when I got back from work at 17:00, but I was pleased to see the place wasn't a mess, I was expecting dust everywhere (especially as the rooms upstairs don't have doors at the moment). I am slightly concerned though - we left out tea/coffee/hobnobs and they weren't touched - I've never known that happen!
Bathroom stripped by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Bathroom stripped by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
It is quite hard to take photos in there, even with the camera at the widest setting as it is a pretty small room. The old avocado suite and tiles have been removed and it seems that the new pipes/fittings have been replaced. The central heating system has been drained down so the pipes for the heated towel rail can be fitted.
The guys had already left when I got back from work at 17:00, but I was pleased to see the place wasn't a mess, I was expecting dust everywhere (especially as the rooms upstairs don't have doors at the moment). I am slightly concerned though - we left out tea/coffee/hobnobs and they weren't touched - I've never known that happen!
Yup, chocolate hobnobs - still not touched. Can't complain though as the guys are doing a good job.
The plywood floor to go under the tiles is down, the wall which will only be half tiled has been plaster boarded, the framework for the stud wall is up and the biggest visual step forward - we have a bath!
Bath in by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
The plywood floor to go under the tiles is down, the wall which will only be half tiled has been plaster boarded, the framework for the stud wall is up and the biggest visual step forward - we have a bath!
Bath in by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
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