Just by way of an update on the new studio, Damian's work has weathered the winter wonderfully, the pond is populated with plants, frogs and scurrying water beatles. The insulation has meant that the studio is usable throughout the winter and it's nice and dry. We haven't sullied the space with computers as yet and would like to keep it as non computer painting/printing studio. In fact the only problem is the only thing that we had to buy in - the doors.
We found these wonderful doors at a reasonable price on the internet from a company calledE-Joinery based in Coleshill, Birmingham. The doors were called La Porte (American White Oak french doors). They looked very good, simple, Oak doors with a big double glazed window to allow the maximum light into the studio. They also came with a one year warantee which reassured us about buying over the internet and showed that the retailer had confidence in their products. We gave the doors 3 coats of yacht varnish, hung them and they looked fantastic.
Until it started to rain. The problem was that the seal between the window panel and the wood had been fitted badly and with the wet summer, water was left standing where the seal had dropped into the frame - soaking directly into the inside of these doors. Where this happened the joints began to swell,discolour and the bottom of the doors swelled and distorted so much that they couldn't be properly closed.
A simple manufacturing error, you may think, but when refusing our claim for a replacement it turns out that the seal wasn't the problem at all but the fact we used yacht varnish rather than stain to finish the doors!
The message I suppose is double check your purchases immediately - don't let any seemingly minor fault pass, send goods back, and don't necessarily trust a guarantee, as there can be wiggle room to void it. We're pursuing the matter as we paid a lot for faulty doors and as you can see the doors have spoilt the look and utility of our bautiful new studio and we're really upset!. - I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Caveat Emptor - E-Joinery - La Porte French Doors
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Shed Finished!!!
At long last and with various delays for wood to be delivered and painted floors to dry our new shed is finally finished and we are now in and working out how to use it apart from lounging on the deck. It does feel very posh for us, now that we've painted the inside, but it is a studio so it is going to have to get scuffed and paint splattered sometime. It's lovely working virtually in the garden with the doors open and with all the insulation we've used it's beautifully cool for most of the day until the late afternoon sun hits the windows.
We can't be spending too long slobbing in the hammocks yet though, as the pond has to be dug, clay puddled and pond lined and then all the proper work we've been dodging whilst playing builders has to be done - and the sun's out....
Anyway we're very pleased with the shed and it was a pleasure having Damien from Splinterhouse building it. I hear from other people that 'having the builders in' isn't always a good experience but I can recommend Damien both for delivering a building better than we commissioned and being good to have around. We think we got a bargain.
If you are interested in your own bespoke studio drop Damien or me a line.
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Sheds
After the sun comes rain, and thunderstorms, winds and torrents, but the first rain held off until a few minutes after the final ridge piece had been secured.
The shed now has changed from a rectangular box to a more of a greek temple shape. Roof trusses going in, skylight installed, plywood and waterproof membrane fixed in place and finally the corrugated iron screwed down. Then the rain came down - good timing!
Shed nurds see also installment One and Two
Gables sheathed and door frames installed
The shed is now watertight (with a vapour membrane) and the doors are on - just in time for torrential rain forecast this weekend.
Next week we'll get the cladding on and the finish the inside.
