Chamonix studio renovation - build thread
Discussion
Maintaining the thread has been a really useful source of advice and encouragement - especially when things have got tough - and the routine has been helpful to maintain sanity. I'm also keen to have a journal of the build to look back on once all the hard work is done and the scars have healed. Thanks to everybody reading and contributing so far. It has been really helpful.
Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The intermission is coming to a close and the performance is about to restart.
Day 39
I'm back for what I hoped would be the final push. A sequence of bad luck means that I'm unlikely to have it finished by Monday morning, when I fly back to London again. But, I've gathered the tools and most of the materials I need and the Alps are looking spectacular, as always.
The electric shutter has been installed while I was away and they've done a great job. I briefly toyed with the idea of supply only and taking on the install myself. Bloody glad I didn't now. Apparently it took three of them three days to fit on account of the size (4.5m x 4m). I've also tanked the wet room, late last night, in preparation for tiling today.
The tanking hadn't dried until later in the afternoon which meant I didn't quite have enough time to cut the final floor tiles before the pesky noise restrictions stopped play. Very frustrating as I was hoping they'd dry overnight ready to be stood on for tiling the walls.
The self-levelling compound did an awful job and the floor is absurdly uneven. The 10mm drop I'd added was completely negated and, in places, even reversed. Consequently I've used an enormous amount of tile adhesive to build a drop into the shower area. We'll see how long that takes to dry!
Possibly the biggest annoyance at the moment is the lack of space. I wasn't expecting to get a pass to come back before our winter season so before I left I tried to make the place as habitable as possible. Unfortunately now that means I've bugger all space to work in and have to work doubly hard to keep the mess down to a minimum to avoid spoiling our furniture/flooring/walls. Here's my makeshift tile-cutting area. The saw is great but it does spew a lot of water everywhere.
Day 39
I'm back for what I hoped would be the final push. A sequence of bad luck means that I'm unlikely to have it finished by Monday morning, when I fly back to London again. But, I've gathered the tools and most of the materials I need and the Alps are looking spectacular, as always.
The electric shutter has been installed while I was away and they've done a great job. I briefly toyed with the idea of supply only and taking on the install myself. Bloody glad I didn't now. Apparently it took three of them three days to fit on account of the size (4.5m x 4m). I've also tanked the wet room, late last night, in preparation for tiling today.
The tanking hadn't dried until later in the afternoon which meant I didn't quite have enough time to cut the final floor tiles before the pesky noise restrictions stopped play. Very frustrating as I was hoping they'd dry overnight ready to be stood on for tiling the walls.
The self-levelling compound did an awful job and the floor is absurdly uneven. The 10mm drop I'd added was completely negated and, in places, even reversed. Consequently I've used an enormous amount of tile adhesive to build a drop into the shower area. We'll see how long that takes to dry!
Possibly the biggest annoyance at the moment is the lack of space. I wasn't expecting to get a pass to come back before our winter season so before I left I tried to make the place as habitable as possible. Unfortunately now that means I've bugger all space to work in and have to work doubly hard to keep the mess down to a minimum to avoid spoiling our furniture/flooring/walls. Here's my makeshift tile-cutting area. The saw is great but it does spew a lot of water everywhere.
I know. I was absolutely methodical and precise with the mix. I even made the second batch thinner than recommended, to no avail. I don't know if I had a bad batch, or if the cold affected it, but it seems to have just settled wherever it was pushed and then made a token effort at levelling itself.
Day 40
I finished the bathroom floor tiles this morning. Because of the self-unevening compound debacle, it needed around 20mm of tile adhesive in places. I've had an electric fan running on it for 24 hours now but it still may not be dry by tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed. I really hope I'm wrong.
The framework for a box-out to cover the bathroom plumbing, rodding point, vent, UFH transformer etc. I'll make a seat pad for the top and turn it into a bench/dog bed.
Finally got the stone veneer onto the face and lip of the mezzanine. I would have loved to have done this in a single piece but didn't think I could wait the 12 weeks quoted for an oversized piece to fit. Some of the joins are better than others – the material is an irregular thickness and shape - but nothing a bit of delicate sanding and filling can't tidy.
If you thought the tile-cutting station was a disaster waiting to happen, check out my Friday the 13th work area. You can also make out the concrete block fireplace taking shape at the back. I have a full 30cm of space to work in there
Other little jobs tackled: switch boxes deepened, kick boards fitted, entrance shelves finished, kitchen blanking plates fitted.
The vermiculite boards that arrived just as I was leaving last month turned out to be the glass when unwrapped, not the vermiculite. I've no idea where the vermiculite is and I don't think I can wait any longer so I'm going to build the fireplace using just aerated concrete. The stonecutters are correcting a mistake in the fireplace piece. I hope to collect that tomorrow afternoon and then finish the fireplace. Then I can get on with finishing the flooring. Assuming the floor tiles have set, the rest of the time will be spent tiling the bathroom walls.
I finished the bathroom floor tiles this morning. Because of the self-unevening compound debacle, it needed around 20mm of tile adhesive in places. I've had an electric fan running on it for 24 hours now but it still may not be dry by tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed. I really hope I'm wrong.
The framework for a box-out to cover the bathroom plumbing, rodding point, vent, UFH transformer etc. I'll make a seat pad for the top and turn it into a bench/dog bed.
Finally got the stone veneer onto the face and lip of the mezzanine. I would have loved to have done this in a single piece but didn't think I could wait the 12 weeks quoted for an oversized piece to fit. Some of the joins are better than others – the material is an irregular thickness and shape - but nothing a bit of delicate sanding and filling can't tidy.
If you thought the tile-cutting station was a disaster waiting to happen, check out my Friday the 13th work area. You can also make out the concrete block fireplace taking shape at the back. I have a full 30cm of space to work in there
Other little jobs tackled: switch boxes deepened, kick boards fitted, entrance shelves finished, kitchen blanking plates fitted.
The vermiculite boards that arrived just as I was leaving last month turned out to be the glass when unwrapped, not the vermiculite. I've no idea where the vermiculite is and I don't think I can wait any longer so I'm going to build the fireplace using just aerated concrete. The stonecutters are correcting a mistake in the fireplace piece. I hope to collect that tomorrow afternoon and then finish the fireplace. Then I can get on with finishing the flooring. Assuming the floor tiles have set, the rest of the time will be spent tiling the bathroom walls.
Day 41
Bit of a broken day today. I started off on tiling the concealed cistern but got the call from the stone-cutter to say that the piece for the fireplace had been corrected and was ready to collect. I looked at the clock and realised if I was quick I could get there (30km) and visit the other two stores I needed supplies from before they all closed for the traditional 2 hour lunch.
I managed to get pretty much everything I went for but the stone piece still isn't right. The 4mm glass arrived and it doesn't fit in the '5mm' slot they've cut in the stone. It's 5mm in places but the glass could not be persuaded. So it'll have to go back for a fourth round of corrective work. It means the fireplace will definitely not be ready for kick-off next Friday. Shame.
So, tiling the cistern wall was the priority as the throne can't be hung until the tiling is complete there. I'm bored of having a coffee every time I need to answer the call of nature.
I made a start at tiling the shower area - the second priority - but once again noise restrictions stopped play at just the wrong time. I forgot to trim 10mm off the bottom of the last tile of the bottom row, only realising after the curfew. Ordinarily I'd have chanced it but I'm not in the caretaker's good books at the moment and we're not really supposed to be working at the weekend anyway. The tile cutter is ruddy noisy too.
The little bench for the entrance area is fitted. The top panel is loose and I'll be topping that with some foam and wrapping it in cow before screwing the two panels together.
And the bench/plumbing and electrics boxout/dog bed is also ready. The seat pad has a peg on the underside that slots snugly into a frame so that you can easily remove it to access the electrics, plumbing and a rodding point for the somewhat windy network of waste pipes - just in case. I'll wrap this in foam and cow too. I reckon it's just large enough for Scruff to sleep on. He loves my reindeer skin in London so hopefully he'll take to cow hide too.
Treating myself to a pizza and a beer, and access to the adjoining estate agent's wifi. It's nice to be able to relax with a bit of space, cleanliness and warmth in the evening!
Last day tomorrow. Then I fly back to Blighty. Fingers crossed I can get the essentials sorted. I'll be driving down next week with SWMBO and the pooch, arriving Friday. It'll be school holidays from Monday which means no noisy work at all until early January, so the pressure is on.
Bit of a broken day today. I started off on tiling the concealed cistern but got the call from the stone-cutter to say that the piece for the fireplace had been corrected and was ready to collect. I looked at the clock and realised if I was quick I could get there (30km) and visit the other two stores I needed supplies from before they all closed for the traditional 2 hour lunch.
I managed to get pretty much everything I went for but the stone piece still isn't right. The 4mm glass arrived and it doesn't fit in the '5mm' slot they've cut in the stone. It's 5mm in places but the glass could not be persuaded. So it'll have to go back for a fourth round of corrective work. It means the fireplace will definitely not be ready for kick-off next Friday. Shame.
So, tiling the cistern wall was the priority as the throne can't be hung until the tiling is complete there. I'm bored of having a coffee every time I need to answer the call of nature.
I made a start at tiling the shower area - the second priority - but once again noise restrictions stopped play at just the wrong time. I forgot to trim 10mm off the bottom of the last tile of the bottom row, only realising after the curfew. Ordinarily I'd have chanced it but I'm not in the caretaker's good books at the moment and we're not really supposed to be working at the weekend anyway. The tile cutter is ruddy noisy too.
The little bench for the entrance area is fitted. The top panel is loose and I'll be topping that with some foam and wrapping it in cow before screwing the two panels together.
And the bench/plumbing and electrics boxout/dog bed is also ready. The seat pad has a peg on the underside that slots snugly into a frame so that you can easily remove it to access the electrics, plumbing and a rodding point for the somewhat windy network of waste pipes - just in case. I'll wrap this in foam and cow too. I reckon it's just large enough for Scruff to sleep on. He loves my reindeer skin in London so hopefully he'll take to cow hide too.
Treating myself to a pizza and a beer, and access to the adjoining estate agent's wifi. It's nice to be able to relax with a bit of space, cleanliness and warmth in the evening!
Last day tomorrow. Then I fly back to Blighty. Fingers crossed I can get the essentials sorted. I'll be driving down next week with SWMBO and the pooch, arriving Friday. It'll be school holidays from Monday which means no noisy work at all until early January, so the pressure is on.
Many thanks for the encouragement. It really does help on the tougher days.
I can't wait to take some photos of the place properly finished and looking like the vision in my head. I think that might be late Feb though, once I've had a chance to gather up some objet d'arts for the walls.
I can't wait to take some photos of the place properly finished and looking like the vision in my head. I think that might be late Feb though, once I've had a chance to gather up some objet d'arts for the walls.
Gruffy said:
Many thanks for the encouragement. It really does help on the tougher days.
I can't wait to take some photos of the place properly finished and looking like the vision in my head. I think that might be late Feb though, once I've had a chance to gather up some objet d'arts for the walls.
Better be finished the 15th January other Ginga will be disappointed!I can't wait to take some photos of the place properly finished and looking like the vision in my head. I think that might be late Feb though, once I've had a chance to gather up some objet d'arts for the walls.
Gruffy said:
Many thanks for the encouragement. It really does help on the tougher days.
I can't wait to take some photos of the place properly finished and looking like the vision in my head. I think that might be late Feb though, once I've had a chance to gather up some objet d'arts for the walls.
Is it a little late to invite Kevin McCloud now?I can't wait to take some photos of the place properly finished and looking like the vision in my head. I think that might be late Feb though, once I've had a chance to gather up some objet d'arts for the walls.
Day 42
My last day on the renovation before I move in, along with my girlfriend and my dog, at the end of next week.
The overwhelming priority was to get to a stage where the shower and toilet were functional. There is a great deal left to do but most will have to wait until after the school holidays in early Jan because, as of today, we're forbidden to do any works in the apartment.
Time to hang the WC. We'd used a flex waste pipe to help minimise the depth of the concealed cistern, and reduce the toilet's projection into the small bathroom. That seemed like a good idea at the time, but the waste pipe is a necessarily tight fit when it comes to hang the toilet. With a flexi and a completely sealed WC unit, making a connection was quite the challenge.
After a few botched attempts… success. I just need to trim the foam sound absorber, as soon as I can buy a sharper Stanley.
I christen her The Throne. God bless her and all who shit on her. (possibly NSFW)
The shower area is tiled, except for the side wall. This should be OK temporarily as it's been tanked and the whole floor has had a perimeter of silicone as well as the tiling. The screen will have to wait until January as the Self-Levelling Compound Debacle has raised the height of the floor by 10mm, which means the screen is 10mm too tall to fit. I'll have to channel out the ceiling. I love channelling.
The flooring was also finished, save for the staircase. I used QuickStep's system, which I would recommend in a heart beat, at least for ease of installation. I used their Incizo profile to finish the bedroom floor right up to the glass balustrade. In the background you can see the flooring disappearing underneath the fireplace.
Back to Blighty in the afternoon. A little bit dejected at not having finished the place before our special winter season but pleased at the level of finish and the integrity of the vision I had for the place. It's taken 8 weeks to this point. I had originally hoped to have it all finished in 6 weeks, but I think it's a 9 week job to do it full justice.
My last day on the renovation before I move in, along with my girlfriend and my dog, at the end of next week.
The overwhelming priority was to get to a stage where the shower and toilet were functional. There is a great deal left to do but most will have to wait until after the school holidays in early Jan because, as of today, we're forbidden to do any works in the apartment.
Time to hang the WC. We'd used a flex waste pipe to help minimise the depth of the concealed cistern, and reduce the toilet's projection into the small bathroom. That seemed like a good idea at the time, but the waste pipe is a necessarily tight fit when it comes to hang the toilet. With a flexi and a completely sealed WC unit, making a connection was quite the challenge.
After a few botched attempts… success. I just need to trim the foam sound absorber, as soon as I can buy a sharper Stanley.
I christen her The Throne. God bless her and all who shit on her. (possibly NSFW)
The shower area is tiled, except for the side wall. This should be OK temporarily as it's been tanked and the whole floor has had a perimeter of silicone as well as the tiling. The screen will have to wait until January as the Self-Levelling Compound Debacle has raised the height of the floor by 10mm, which means the screen is 10mm too tall to fit. I'll have to channel out the ceiling. I love channelling.
The flooring was also finished, save for the staircase. I used QuickStep's system, which I would recommend in a heart beat, at least for ease of installation. I used their Incizo profile to finish the bedroom floor right up to the glass balustrade. In the background you can see the flooring disappearing underneath the fireplace.
Back to Blighty in the afternoon. A little bit dejected at not having finished the place before our special winter season but pleased at the level of finish and the integrity of the vision I had for the place. It's taken 8 weeks to this point. I had originally hoped to have it all finished in 6 weeks, but I think it's a 9 week job to do it full justice.
Edited by Gruffy on Monday 16th December 01:47
Gruffy said:
Back to Blighty in the afternoon. A little bit dejected at not having finished the place before our special winter season but pleased at the level of finish and the integrity of the vision I had for the place. It's taken 8 weeks to this point. I had originally hoped to have it all finished in 6 weeks, but I think it's a 9 week job to do it full justice.
Don't be too hard on yourself.Just because it's a small apartment (based on sq m), possibly 50% of the size of a regular 1 bedroom apartment, it doesn't mean there is 50% of the work.
The other 50% of the space of a bigger place would have been just that - space (i.e. needing no work).
I think you've done very well to have achieved what you have in the circumstances, in terms of timescale and finish, especially given the constraints of working-time restrictions, foreign country, not full time on the job, etc etc .
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