Pleased with works!

[JoceAndChris]

Hello all! Hope everyone is working hard and not just sitting round drinking beer. :wink:

I couldn't be more pleased with Skillingtons - I did the right thing in holding out. Expert work, fast, and not a speck of dust or rubble left at the end of every day. I don't want them to ever leave! Piccies to follow.

 

[JoceAndChris]

These mainly show the dubbing out in lime taking place. I deliberately didn't show the naked stone house as I know many would have thought "keep it that way", but it really wasn't right architecturally for the period to have a formal building in naked rubble stone, plus there were a lot of brick repairs and a brick extension. It was stunning to see though.

 

[JoceAndChris]

PS even though it has climbed to 27 degrees the master plasterer never removed his tie or cloth cap!!

 

[Zebra]

Gosh, how wonderful. Isn't it exciting to see the first coat of render go on? I remember how excited I was here.
And even if some would think the house looks better naked (I agree with you it will look better rendered) then with lime, at least it's reversible without damaging the stone...

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Definitely the right decision Joce--the naked rubble stone is a bit harsh on the eye. although I suppose it is what one is used to looking at. ! The lime render will add a touch of class and give the house a bit of additional status, so, no matter which is strictly correct, I reckon the walls will now breathe and function properly.

Skillies have had some good, free advertising from your postings, and they have, as I thought they would, been remarkably clean and tidy whilst working. That in itself is worth paying for!

Look forward to the next stage!

 

[plasticpigeon]

I hate to be a party pooper, but they've only done the first coat!!! They have left the place nice and tidy. I hope they continue to impress, I'm looking forward to seeing the finished article.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks for all the kind words! It will sound daft but this is honestly one of the most exciting periods of my life, if not the most. Really a dream come true. The house has looked so unloved and been suffering so badly under its coat of concrete ( in places 3-4 inches thick!!) and it's such a relief to see that gone. The drilling sounded appalling but thankfully no cracks have appeared internally and the damage done in removing it all was fairly minimal. They did manage to ding the corners off 4 of the slate cills but are replacing them at their expense.

2 more coats to follow, the lining out, and then the lime washing.

Thanks for the votes to cover the rubble stone, it was the only thing to do really as the stone wasn't in a state to face the elements really, as well as being wrong aesthetically.

 

[jackpoint]

It's lovely, I'm very jealous :mrgreen:

 

[Feltwell]

Looks better just for the first coat!

Once finished and limewashed that will look lovely Joce. What colour are you going for?

 

[88v8]

That coursed rubble is better looking and perhaps in better condition than the stonework of many a stone house. Good to know there are sound underpinnings. But yes, the house is about form rather than texture, so as you say, architecturally it has to be rendered regardless.
I like it when builders tidy up after themselves, it says something about their pride in their work.

Ivor

 

[DJH]

Hmm...the pussy (sorry Penners ) looks completely unimpressed unless of course, that's it's natural expression... :lol:

Well dodgy 'scaffold' ( ) that chap is up on... :shock: :shock: :shock:

Looking very good Joce.

Doug

 

[JoceAndChris]

Feltwell - I'm going for "Naples" by Rose of Jericho, it's a warm yellow ochre but not too dark - a similar colour to the original we found, lime washed directly onto the stone ( we also found a later lime render).

Will post piccy of today's work, gosh, you could cut yourself on those corners !

Stone was appalling in places and the brick extension was worse. But they could have patched it up, they said, but I still think this type of stone cracks too easily in frost. Fascinating to see it with all the cement drilled off though.

 

[plasticpigeon]

Joce, it would be really interesting to know if the people doing the rendering will use some guides to get everything at least flat if not plumb and level. I did this when I plastered the kitchen, by laying out a grid of screws into the wall, and making sure they were all on a flat plane. I can't see how anything close to a flat surface can be achieved otherwise, even if a screed stick or darby float is used, but it doesn't stop most plasterers trying. It would be nice to know what an expert does!!!

 

[DJH]

Yes PP that would be called grounds. I worked once on a new property where the architects called for a maximum of 3 mm tolerance on internal double height walls. The carpenters fixed the grounds using dpc and membrane as spacers. To my knowledge 2 plastering firms left or would not take the job because of these tolerances...

 

[JoceAndChris]

Interesting! As far as I can see they're using a float, a spirit level, and bits of wood on the corners, but nothing else - but I'll ask.

 

[Zebra]

Lovely. And are they mixing the plaster themselves on site, or did you buy in loads of ready-made?

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Brilliant colour and product choice Joce. I also love the ghostly image on the lawn!!!! xx

 

[plasticpigeon]

That's very impressive, especially the lack of mess on the windows and frames. Did they use a sponge float at all or just wood/plastic ones? I ask as I feel I have achieved an excellent finish in my kitchen and it is super flat, but it took me forever, your guys are making easy work of a big job.

 

[JoceAndChris]

I'll ask plastic! Very impressed with you doing your kitchen, it looks impossible to me! The windows they protect with boards cut to size, this is simply rested against as they work on that area. There are also huge boards on the ground moved along to catch any specks of dust, but as they never spill or splatter a drop, this seems pretty unnecessary.

Zebra - thanks for nice comments, and yes, it's all mixed on site by the lovely Dan. I'm very excited about the mixer as it's been to Belton House, Harlaxton Manor, Strawberry Hill, Lowther Castle Westminster Abbey and now Beacon Cottage! It's like a caged beast on our track!

 

[88v8]

A pan mixer. :shock:
The proper mixer for lime, wot most builders have never even heard of, let alone possess.
That alone says much about their work.

Ivor