Spring breakthrough

Spring at Last!
As the temperature hots up (16.5C today) work continues at a pace. The plasterers are busy on the second ground floor bedroom, the old window between the kitchen and the new extension has been removed to make a doorway, and a new lintel put in. The photo shows the breakthrough, and to the left the blue glazed fireplace we've saved. Originally in a bedroom, it will take pride of place in the dining room.

Work has also progressed on the roof with a new supply of slates and the second of four Velux windows being installed, this one at the top of the stairs. Light now floods onto the top of the stairs and down through the hall.

We have had to delay the installation of the ground loop for geothermal heat pump because of a lack of specialist insulation to protect the mains water pipe. If not properly insulated the water supply could freeze with disastrous effects so we must wait for proper insulation material. Work with the digger on the geothermal installation should restart on Monday.

Plastering is go!

Today, despite it being Easter Monday our team of plasterers started work. In order to bring the house up to our demanding standards it has been gutted and we are now to the point where we can start plastering the downstairs rooms, after a number of new windows and doors have been added to make the most of the natural light, especially on the south side.

Our electrician is just finishing the 'first fix' of the electrics. As soon as the rooms have been plastered we are looking forward to fitting up the lights, all of which have been chosen to accept low-energy light bulbs, and still look good.

Just a quick word about what we've already done. The picture is of our sewage digester. Because we're out in the glorious countryside we're not on mains drainage. In the past this has meant either a septic tank, or cesspit, neither of which is a very eco-friendly option. Instead of either of these options we have chosen to install a sewage bio-digester. How one of these works is explained here .

The bio-technology in these means that we are protecting the local water courses and quietly and odourlessly breaking down our waste, on site.

The view in the picture has already changed substantially. We have removed the heavy, ugly and out of character concrete tiles and replaced them with European slate. The insulation in our modern renovation is looked after by the boarding installed within the roof. As the tiles were coming off we've chosen to install Velux windows into the southern side of the house, once again bringing further light into the building.

The coming few days should see the new roof finished and the roof on the extension finished - we've not even mentioned that yet!

Eastern Lee - our new project - new windows going in

Our eco-house in Wellow has new windows!

What was once a single floor bungalow, with a huge and sadly neglected roof space, ready with windows, is developing in to our newest, premium accommodation.

The plasterers start tomorrow.

Unlike much of the UK the, weather over Easter on the IOW has been mostly fine!