Northfield House Renovation

The roofer fitted the velux windows today. Photo 1 Photo 2 As can be seen, there has been a fair amount of rain over the last few days so its a good thing we have the roof covered. Photo 3 We also cleared all the rubble from the attic room and removed the carpet. Photo 3 and 4 showing a before and after shot. Photo 4 Photo 5 Previous Next

Roofer was onsite to continue with the slates... Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Previous Next

The roofer started on slating the roof today. Photo 1 Photo 2 When you see how simple it is to slate the roof, you imagine its something you could attempt; but the amount of time it would take a complete beginner to even lay a single course, sometimes its just better to pay a professional. I was hoping to fit natural slates but unfortunately due to the low pitch of the roof it just wasn't recommended so ended up with Eternit Thrutone fibre cement slates. Once fitted they look pretty good. Previous Next

Brickie was onsite again today and managed to fit the heads above the windows and doors. Each of these stones weigh more than 50kg so it was not easy to fit. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Very pleased with the way these are looking. We also managed to get the first floor bathrooms gutted out. Photo 5 Left the toilet in for now as this is the only functional one remaining. Photo 6 Photo 7 Shower tray removed and walls taken back to brick. Photo 8 Steel bath removed. Hopefully someone can make use of it. Previous Next

After almost 2 weeks, my brickie was back on site. Photo 1 Photo 2 The kitchen side brickwork is almost complete now. Hoping to install the window heads tomorrow. Photo 3 Hopefully the extension is now fully in the dry and we can commence on the internals. Previous Next

Roofer was on site and started on felting and battening the roof. It wasn't long before the roof was covered and we finally had some protection from the elements. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 As can be seen the weather has been pretty dismal. Previous Next

As we had a week of heavy rainfall, it was complete washout in terms of building work. I did however hire a roofer to at least get the extension covered. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4  It was a busy day today, we received deliveries of our slates, roofing battens and roof windows. The replacement header and window sill also arrived.  Previous Next

The blockwork for the gable wall was completed yesterday. Photo 1  Photo 2 Today was spent completing the wall that separates the kitchen from the garage and continuing the brickwork on the kitchen wall. Photo 3 Photo 4 There is still a few courses of brickwork left on this side along with the gable wall before the rear extension is completed. With a storm forecast for next week, its not looking too promising that this will be completed by the end of the week. With the trusses on, I'm looking to get it covered as soon as possible. Previous Next

The roofers were back today to finish off installing the rafters. Our bricklayer had also recovered and was on site to complete the wall. Photo 1  Not very clear but Photo 1 shows some blocks added to the wall for the wall plate to sit on. Photo 2 Photo 3  Photo 3 showing the brackets to the trusses and straps from the wall plate to the blockwork. Photo 4 Gable wall being built. Photo 5 Photo 6 We removed the roof window in the centre, so that there remains only the 2 as originally planned. Our bricklayer finished the blockwork for the gable wall and we're hoping the remaining blockwork for the kitchen will be completed tomorrow - weather dependent. Previous Next

Our bricklayer was supposed to finish the walls ready for the roofer to complete the roof, but due to illness he hasn't been able to work for a couple of days. As our roofer was also flying out on holiday on the 10th of January, he couldn't wait for the wall to be finished so made a frame to the required height to install the rafters. Photo 1 Photo 2  We considered having 3 roof windows instead of the originally planned 2 but it doesn't leave us with much of a ceiling. Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 5 shows where we have a slight problem to solve. The architect had intended for a brick pillar to support the steel beam which was initially planned to go lower. We decided to remove the pillar to have a continuous wall on the inside and also raised the steel beam to maximise the ceiling height. It was only later that we realized, doing so will leave us with a hole above the roof. Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Previous Next

Today was spent clearing all the rubble from the two bedrooms where the plaster and wallpaper was removed. In addition I had someone demolish the wardrobe and cold water storage area in the attic rooms. Photo 1 Bedroom 1 with plaster removed form exterior walls, architrave removed from windows and picture rail also removed. Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photos 3 and 4 show bedroom 2 with the plaster removed from the exterior walls and wallpaper removed from the interior wall. Picture rail, skirting and architrave from windows were also removed. The 2 bedrooms are now ready to have their exterior walls insulated and first fix wiring to start. Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Photos 5 to 8 show the first floor hallway with the wallpaper removed. The wallpaper on the staircase leading downstairs below the dado-rail was particularly difficult to remove. It was actually cardboard with an embossed pattern that had been painted over a couple of times. Photo 9