A
Anonymous
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External walls are mostly lined on the inside with fibre board erected 50 years ago. Removal of a few sections has exposed wattle & daub, and of course the oak frame of the house. Walls are very thin. If we continue to expose internal walls how much will we effect the heat retention of what is at present a fairly cosy house?.......... Second Q..... Third story room has floor that springs like a bow. and is very bowed in the middle...probably 5'' drop from the sides of the room to the middle. Floor boards are probably age of house and are oak. Supporting joists are also ancient 4X4 oak. The problem is the size of the room below, (13'X12'8'') and our young kids. The lath and plaster ceiling below can't last although the lime plaster hasn't cracked...yet. My instict is to lay new oak joists accross and on top of the existing floor, and another set of floor boards accross the top of them. The additional weight will of course need to be analysed by a structural engineer. Am I over reacting? The room has had 500 years of use and I'm sure it's coped with kids before.