Interior wall finish options

[Ian Bond]

Some careful investigation required.

Is the ceiling of the downstairs room the underside of the floor above, with exposed joists originally, and has this been covered over with pb to make a ceiling?

And is there any original lime plaster on the walls at all, or had it been removed and replaced with pn again?

Plenty for you to get stuck into!!!

 

[Sue Wilkinson]

There is a great deal of satisfaction I find, in being dirty all day. I start off clean and end clean, but the bits in the middle are not glam and I like that. Only occassionally do I mourn the nail varnish, make-up and heels that I used to think essential in the office.

Having just spent today hefting rocks around, grading them and setting big ones down for footings, today could be a day to look back whistfully at such things.

Sue

 

[Timothy]

Lot's of investigation and lots of fun! The cottage has only the one level, so with a torch in the attic I should easily be able to see the original use of the current rafters. Of course it's highly conceivable the roof has been replaced at some time, but a few trips to the local library should give me some clues as to the cottage's original build. Oh and I'm looking forward to viewing the deeds too, lots of fun investigation there too!

Well Sue, luckily I'm not going to mourn the nail varnish, make-up or heels! Oddly I do notice my suits and ties with longing, I guess we all like to dress up lol. There certainly is some primeval satisfaction with working in the dirt though. As I said before I was raised in the country side and doing outdoor work was most relaxing. Hmmmm, the cash in hand work I did sacking coal a few months ago wasn't so satisfying though! Hey Sue, when you're looking back at those office days just remember why therre was always a fight for the window seats!

In truth the one thing that concerns me at the moment is my lack of enerygy and those days my motivation is all but gone (both depression related). But it's better thn sitting on my backside hoping for something better. And when I consider it so much of period restoration ties in with other (mostly academic) interests I've had for a long time.

Best,
Tim

 

[NT]

When your plaster is from the bowels of hell, analglypta will hold it together.

Plastering is easy if you want an uneven finish. Just apply it by trowel, smooth it out (spending 30 secs per square foot maximum) then right away paint one coat using a wide brush dipped in water. Do this top down. What this does is take all the sharp trowelling lines off and turn the surface into a smooth but not quite flat finish. Just right for a humble 1840s abode.

If the house is tiny, you've got to use that attic space effectively. Maybe you could store all your tools and supplies up there.

I'd forget about the windows if youre on benefits, no way does benefits pay for that kind of thing. You could however paint them in an original-compatible colour scheme, which might at least improve them. Broken white was very popular, and would take the visual edge off the white pvc.

Finally everything takes longer than expected, and having a barely functional house can really get one down. So its important to do the important things first, and not spend time on the fripperies and end up totally fed up.


NT

 

[NT]

but first I have to get to be able to get more of the lime plaster stuck on the walls than dropped at my feet!) but very very satisfying

just call it lump skirting


NT

 

[Becka]

It gets on the walls eventually (normally) with added dust, crumbs and cat hair in the mix.. I call it added binder..

 

[BMcD]

NT Wrote:

Plastering is easy if you want an uneven finish. Just apply it by trowel, smooth it out (spending 30 secs per square foot maximum) then right away paint one coat using a wide brush dipped in water.

No - Plastering is easy if you want a bad finish. To achieve an uneven finish the same care and attention and good working practices still apply as if it were high class work.

Successfull plastering relies upon 2 key factors

1 Controlling the background suction of the surface onto whch you are plastering
2 Being in control of the material with which you are plastering

Get these right and you should have no problems

 

[Timothy]

Hey NT, I missed the first post you wrote until now. What you say about plastering sounds like sense, of course I intend to on a SPAB course first and perhaps I'll get a chance to ask there. A humble 1840s abode is a very accurate description!

Yeah, storage is defintly going to be a huge concern. I had an idea about using the attic space effectively but I need to live there for a while before being certain of the right thing to do. Of course there's the benefits problem too as you mention, thankfully after moving I'll be clearing off all debts and no longer have a mortgage. That'll be a huge weight off the shoulders! And some time I need to find some work I can handle, I can't spend the rest of my life relying on benefits (not only for economic reasons but pride too).

The uPVC windows aren't too important right now but I would like to replace them one day. There's only two and a half of them anyway so it should be doable. I was speaking to my parents about the humble abode yesterday over coffee, and it was obvious we disagree on a number of points. They replaced the wooden windows because they were so old (grrr) and insist I should put two velux skylights in to brighten the interior! Oh and dark is always depressing too according to them. Anyway, could vent on and on but I grrrrd a lot last night lol. Don't worry I intend to restore rather than destroy, I've always had a love for old and humble.

I know everything will take longer than expected, mostly from an economic pov though! But there's a little garden which has been recently posisoned (something else I'm dead set against too lol) and needs some care.

 

[NT]

NT Wrote:

Plastering is easy if you want an uneven finish. Just apply it by trowel, smooth it out (spending 30 secs per square foot maximum) then right away paint one coat using a wide brush dipped in water.

No - Plastering is easy if you want a bad finish. To achieve an uneven finish the same care and attention and good working practices still apply as if it were high class work.

I reckon we're just talking about 2 different finishes.


NT

 

[NT]

Theres an easy cheap way to double the interior light level. Fit a mirror sloping down 5 deg fro horixontal outside the window, at sill level. Because the reflected skylight hits the ceiling it is more effectively used than the direct light, hence you can get double light levels. The 2 gotchas are to beware its set up so theres no risk of rot to the sill, ie space it away from the sill one way or the other. And coat the mirror back so it doesnt flake off.

Mirrors on the inside help too, though not as much.

Whilte limestone on the ground outside the windows also helps some, and looks normal.


NT

 

[BMcD]

NT wrote:

I reckon we're just talking about 2 different finishes.

Even the most basic coat & a half and 2 coat work need care and attention both in preperation and application. Also knowing what material to use where and why and how that material behaves under any given condition is all part of the craft.

Of course this dosen't mean it can't be picked up

 

[Timothy]

There's a couple of interesting ideas of rlight there NT, obviously I'd considered internal mirrors but I've never heard of the other two. I especially like the white limestone idea, it reminds me of when I was younger being blinded by the white stone on driveways. I'm keen to hold off any decisions until I've removed the dark blue carpet, brown linoleum, and generally cleaned the grubby fllors/walls/ceilings. I'd like to think it will be possible to work with the current light --- I've done photogrpahy as a hobby for the past 14yrs and love to play with the light. Not quite the same though I know.

BMcD I like to know all about materials/options/techniques before I take on most things anyway, almost to a point of obsession. Not just to help the job, but so I can sound more intelligent too!

 

[NT]

NT wrote:

I reckon we're just talking about 2 different finishes.

Even the most basic coat & a half and 2 coat work need care and attention both in preperation and application. Also knowing what material to use where and why and how that material behaves under any given condition is all part of the craft.

Of course this dosen't mean it can't be picked up

That pretty much confirms that we are indeed talking about 2 different finishes.


NT

 

[NT]

A light floor can really help, as most incoming light is directed straight at the floor.

NT

 

[BMcD]

NT Wrote:

That pretty much confirms that we are indeed talking about 2 different finishes.

Indeed we are talking about 2x different finishes.
One of us is talking about finishes which are likely to stay on the walls

 

[NT]

NT Wrote:

That pretty much confirms that we are indeed talking about 2 different finishes.

Indeed we are talking about 2x different finishes.
One of us is talking about finishes which are likely to stay on the walls

If you're sure about that. I know mine hasnt had any difficulty with staying attached.

May be better to leave it there.


NT