Update: 21-08-2006
August 21, 2006 | Leave a Comment |
Below images were taken on the 21st of August. On this day the first screed was poured over the concrete floors, covering the reinforcement mesh and the pipework for the underfloor heating installation.
The western side of the house finished with the final rendering and the stone chips. Here the rendering is still wet and it takes about six hours to withstand rain. Note that this work can only be done with dry weather conditions. At the bottom of the wall an aluminum strip is attached allowing for a curved finish of the rendering. The curved finish optimizes the disposal of water from the wall.
The south wing of the house showing the pipework for the underfloor heating system and mesh for reinforcement. The pipes are attached with small metal strips to the mesh. The loops and grouping of the pipework has been designed by Invisible Heating Systems from Ullapool.
Pouring of the screed floor. This is the partially finished floor of the dining room. To achieve a smooth result the screed is first flattened with a piece of timber almost as long as the room. Once that’s done, its finished with the skimmer (not sure whether this is the correct English word) to make it smooth. The screed can be walked on after four hours but it’s best to leave it drying for a couple of days.
Update: 19-08-2006
August 19, 2006 | Leave a Comment |
These pictures were taken during a visit to the build which took place from August 19th to August 26th. August 19th was a Saturday and James had the house securely locked, so only outside pictures could be taken.
The loch side of the house with the block work and slating of the roof now completed. The most forward part of the gable is already prepared with the so called scratch layer of finish. The other picture shows a slightly different angle of the front gable. The scratch finish is clearly visible.
The stone chips are used to finish the walls (rough rendering). Once the final rendering layer has been applied, a special machine is used to inject the stone chippings onto the wall. This rough rendering is a typical feature of a Highland house and is done to minimize water attaching to the wall.
Oh, and hurray!! At last the power cable has arrived…
Update: 04-08-2006
August 4, 2006 | Leave a Comment |
Again an update from the build site at Skinidin. The outside works are nearing completion and soon the work on the inside will be starting. For now, the builders are still busy completing the slating and the block work. Although the roadworks for water and electricity have been done, the actual connection to the water mains has yet to be done.
On the north-west side of the house: A part of the scaffolds for slating are in place. Slating will not progress much these days as the slater is now enjoying his well-earned holiday. The little windows in the rightmost front wall, is the window for the en-suite bathroom in one of the bedrooms.
On the west side of the house: With the north-south running extension with master bedroom and bathroom. The cills have been put into place and give the windows a finished look. The cills were bought directly from James MacQueen. These cills give the house the specific “Highland” finish.
On the backside of the house: Here remains a little block work to be done as well, just over the windows of the master bedroom. Also on this side the cills have been put into place.
On the east side of the house: The only real chimney clearly visible (others are dummies), finished and ready for rendering. I think this image clearly shows how nice the house blends with the plot. The slightly lowered sitting room makes the house “flow” with the ridges in the plot.
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Latest music...
Hair (1968, Original Broadway recording). Some naughty lyrics for that time!!
An Rathad a Bhatarsaigh, by the Vatersay Boys