Our French farmhouse build thread.
Discussion
Yesterday we put together our order of doing the bathroom and boarding the bedrooms. After constructing the bath, was a little concerned screwing straight into the fibreglass to fit the legs, we decided that the first part to sort was the false ceiling. Wood was ordered and we collected yesterday afternoon during the school run.
Did our first measure and cut of the wood then made sure the hangers fitted. We had been supplied with the wrong sized wood. Was supposed to be 150 x 63mm but they had supplied 150 x 75mm. That ended the day, so this morning first order of the day was to exchange the hangers for larger ones.
We now have the framework in for the first false ceiling which gives us our height for the walls. To end today we cut the plywood that is the risers for the stairs. Now sat here looking forward to our trip out this evening to a Chinese buffet, all you can eat, then on Sunday off to a car meet and dodging a brocante!
Happy weekend to everyone.
Did our first measure and cut of the wood then made sure the hangers fitted. We had been supplied with the wrong sized wood. Was supposed to be 150 x 63mm but they had supplied 150 x 75mm. That ended the day, so this morning first order of the day was to exchange the hangers for larger ones.
We now have the framework in for the first false ceiling which gives us our height for the walls. To end today we cut the plywood that is the risers for the stairs. Now sat here looking forward to our trip out this evening to a Chinese buffet, all you can eat, then on Sunday off to a car meet and dodging a brocante!
Happy weekend to everyone.
A quick update before I start the day. On Saturday we had the start of our groundworks. The piles of rubble and sides of the cut vats were removed. A small wall by the pig sty was pulled down and taken away, then the beginnings of scraping the top surface of our driveway for gravelling. Although only a small wall it has made a huge difference to the space.
Yesterday I put up the framework that will site a wall behind one of the beds. Was thinking about doing this in wood for solidity but the metal framework braced against the wall is pretty solid.
Smallest job that took the longest yesterday was to move a couple of wires in the wall up 20cm. These are for the wall lights in the landing. When the holes were drilled we had a discussion on the height of them as I thought they were too low. Wilfrid came round last week and said they had to go up! So using a piece of power cord, trunking and some wire for pulling cables they were eventually done.
As a reward for all the tedious work I made toad in the hole.
Yesterday I put up the framework that will site a wall behind one of the beds. Was thinking about doing this in wood for solidity but the metal framework braced against the wall is pretty solid.
Smallest job that took the longest yesterday was to move a couple of wires in the wall up 20cm. These are for the wall lights in the landing. When the holes were drilled we had a discussion on the height of them as I thought they were too low. Wilfrid came round last week and said they had to go up! So using a piece of power cord, trunking and some wire for pulling cables they were eventually done.
As a reward for all the tedious work I made toad in the hole.
Yesterday’s job was to re-point another wall upstairs in a bedroom. This we need to get done before we can board it out. We have learned that it would have been easier to do all of this re-pointing before we had put the joists in and the floor down. Too late now for this building so had to be careful and sheet up the floor. This was the starting point.
By lunchtime I had all the lime render on and left it for a couple of hours to dry.
After a long lunch break it was outside again with a damp sponge and a couple of brushes to reveal the stones. Tomorrow I am hoping to clean up the revealed stones fully with a wire brush. Not certain that this is going to happen as I am typing this a 2am suffering from food poisoning. Only thing we can put it down to is a dodgy egg. As we get them straight from friends and this is the first time I shall continue to enjoy runny eggs when back to normal.
By lunchtime I had all the lime render on and left it for a couple of hours to dry.
After a long lunch break it was outside again with a damp sponge and a couple of brushes to reveal the stones. Tomorrow I am hoping to clean up the revealed stones fully with a wire brush. Not certain that this is going to happen as I am typing this a 2am suffering from food poisoning. Only thing we can put it down to is a dodgy egg. As we get them straight from friends and this is the first time I shall continue to enjoy runny eggs when back to normal.
olly22n said:
Firstly great work.
Secondly, were you not tempted to repoint the wall and leave the stone work exposed?
After trying it out and listening to our tradies we decided to go halfway between the 2 different styles. The main problem with a lot of exposed stone is the dust and rubbish that sits on it. Secondly, were you not tempted to repoint the wall and leave the stone work exposed?
When I do finish it I will take the proper camera out and get a decent shot of it to show the final look.
Back up on my feet again today. Glad to hear the updates are being read! Today we put up the joists for the second false ceiling in the bathroom. Due to working with strange angles we also had to use the rail system on this part. After getting the first joist up I decided we would be better off putting up the scaffolding to make moving around much easier. We only have a cheap one so has a total weight capacity of only 150kg. Being the gentleman that I am I left cargeekswife using the ladder….
Had to also re-arrange the plumbing pipes on the back wall as the waste for the water heaters is plumbed along 2 walls to get to the bathroom waste but it was too high for where the water heaters are going to sit. Just need to join all the pipes together and then I can frame and lock the uprights into position.
Had to also re-arrange the plumbing pipes on the back wall as the waste for the water heaters is plumbed along 2 walls to get to the bathroom waste but it was too high for where the water heaters are going to sit. Just need to join all the pipes together and then I can frame and lock the uprights into position.
Yesterday I finally got around to making the last hole on the exterior for mounting the outside light. Another job that has been awaiting a dry day to accomplish it.
After that it was back inside and putting up some more framework for the bathroom. Once I had the ceiling bits in and straight on the back wall I mounted a rail along the central beam that will divide one bedroom from the bathroom.
I’ve got a point now where we need to order the new doors in. A quick trip out for cargeekswife to order these and they will be available for collection on Thursday. While I am waiting for these I can get on with a few small jobs. I plastic welded the waste pipes for the bathroom in the kitchen so can now board that wall.
Disaster struck over the weekend. Our 6 year old coffee machine has finally bitten the dust. It has worked faultlessly until Friday when it only produced half a cup of coffee for me. A machine has been ordered and was due for delivery today. Alas it will not arrive until tomorrow now. This morning the old one was down to producing a third of a cup for each press of the button and not particularly warm either. A first world problem I know!
The driveway is taking shape nicely. Three quarters of it has been dug out and a wall knocked down by the pig sties. Makes it so much more open and feel more spacious even though we have only reclaimed about a 75cm width.
First job of today was to mix up some cement and to mount our stones that the outside lights will attach to. Was cemented in and held in place by an acrow prop while it dried. Rather pleased with the look and will get some more cement soon to do the other 2.
Last kitchen wall boarded and the remaining marine boards moved upstairs. We have Millie off school at the moment with some sort of flu type thing that is affecting a lot of the children, so have been on my own today hence the disjointed work. Swept up the kitchen to end my work for the day.
After that it was back inside and putting up some more framework for the bathroom. Once I had the ceiling bits in and straight on the back wall I mounted a rail along the central beam that will divide one bedroom from the bathroom.
I’ve got a point now where we need to order the new doors in. A quick trip out for cargeekswife to order these and they will be available for collection on Thursday. While I am waiting for these I can get on with a few small jobs. I plastic welded the waste pipes for the bathroom in the kitchen so can now board that wall.
Disaster struck over the weekend. Our 6 year old coffee machine has finally bitten the dust. It has worked faultlessly until Friday when it only produced half a cup of coffee for me. A machine has been ordered and was due for delivery today. Alas it will not arrive until tomorrow now. This morning the old one was down to producing a third of a cup for each press of the button and not particularly warm either. A first world problem I know!
The driveway is taking shape nicely. Three quarters of it has been dug out and a wall knocked down by the pig sties. Makes it so much more open and feel more spacious even though we have only reclaimed about a 75cm width.
First job of today was to mix up some cement and to mount our stones that the outside lights will attach to. Was cemented in and held in place by an acrow prop while it dried. Rather pleased with the look and will get some more cement soon to do the other 2.
Last kitchen wall boarded and the remaining marine boards moved upstairs. We have Millie off school at the moment with some sort of flu type thing that is affecting a lot of the children, so have been on my own today hence the disjointed work. Swept up the kitchen to end my work for the day.
magooagain said:
Hey Neil we had the same coffe machine problem. It turned out all it was is that tiny gauze filter the coffee drips out of into the cups.
I gave in a bashing and some boiling water and all is well.
Cheers mate. Will give that a try. Can then have good coffee in the barn while working on it! I gave in a bashing and some boiling water and all is well.
Neil I've been watching your project with great interest - I admire your dedication, workmanship & attention to detail sir!
Great progress so far, I'm sure you must be pleased with the rate the work's going?
May I ask, as an aside, how you'd rate the Ford Ranger? I'm looking for a similar 'utility vehicle'.
Great project mate, just shows what can be achieved...
Great progress so far, I'm sure you must be pleased with the rate the work's going?
May I ask, as an aside, how you'd rate the Ford Ranger? I'm looking for a similar 'utility vehicle'.
Great project mate, just shows what can be achieved...
bomma220 said:
Neil I've been watching your project with great interest - I admire your dedication, workmanship & attention to detail sir!
Great progress so far, I'm sure you must be pleased with the rate the work's going?
May I ask, as an aside, how you'd rate the Ford Ranger? I'm looking for a similar 'utility vehicle'.
Great project mate, just shows what can be achieved...
Thanks for the kind words. When I look back at the pictures and the time lines involved we are progressing well, but when I live it every day I feel we should be achieving more!Great progress so far, I'm sure you must be pleased with the rate the work's going?
May I ask, as an aside, how you'd rate the Ford Ranger? I'm looking for a similar 'utility vehicle'.
Great project mate, just shows what can be achieved...
I am really pleased with the Ranger. I view it as a motorised wheelbarrow and it has done that role admirably. As a workhorse I can't fault it and it being the only vehicle with working air con, is a joy in the summer. The leather seats are a plus as well as the dog is in and out as much as he can.
Neilsfirst said:
Thanks for the kind words. When I look back at the pictures and the time lines involved we are progressing well, but when I live it every day I feel we should be achieving more!
I am really pleased with the Ranger. I view it as a motorised wheelbarrow and it has done that role admirably. As a workhorse I can't fault it and it being the only vehicle with working air con, is a joy in the summer. The leather seats are a plus as well as the dog is in and out as much as he can.
Many thanks for your reply Neil, sounds like me & my GSD would approve of the Ranger!I am really pleased with the Ranger. I view it as a motorised wheelbarrow and it has done that role admirably. As a workhorse I can't fault it and it being the only vehicle with working air con, is a joy in the summer. The leather seats are a plus as well as the dog is in and out as much as he can.
I wish you all the best with Operation Farmhouse, looking forward to the updates!
bomma220 said:
Many thanks for your reply Neil, sounds like me & my GSD would approve of the Ranger!
I wish you all the best with Operation Farmhouse, looking forward to the updates!
The GSD will love it, inside or on the flatbed. Jack loves going round the field in the back. When we get to the road I just reach round and open the back door for him to get inside. I wish you all the best with Operation Farmhouse, looking forward to the updates!
Was on my own again yesterday as Millie was still off school. First order of the day was a quick tip run then back to tidy and sweep. With room to work I secured the half height wall in the 2nd bedroom and put on 2 boards. The last one needs scribing to fit against the stone wall. After my last attempt I will be leaving this to cargeekswife to do.
Having got as far as I could in there I headed out onto the landing to box in the last velux window. Makes such a difference now that is done. Looks closer to finished rather than just started!
While walking the dog last night on one of my regular routes I saw that someone had decided to set fire to a small area of the woods that had an old rusty van buried amongst the ferns growing there. Wasn’t expecting that and surprised we hadn’t seen the smoke from it as only ¾ mile from our house.
Having got as far as I could in there I headed out onto the landing to box in the last velux window. Makes such a difference now that is done. Looks closer to finished rather than just started!
While walking the dog last night on one of my regular routes I saw that someone had decided to set fire to a small area of the woods that had an old rusty van buried amongst the ferns growing there. Wasn’t expecting that and surprised we hadn’t seen the smoke from it as only ¾ mile from our house.
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