Yes take the wall out you will be happier with the bigger bedroom. Save the wee door and maybe use it as a template for all the doors in the house . Really authentic. Love what you are doing.
lifetime diy'er here. whenever i come across something unexpected like that, i always want to say, "let's just leave it, no big deal". but then i think about it a bit and end up saying "as much as i don't want to do it, it'd be better if i did" and that turns into" well, i'm not looking forward to doing it, but i'm looking forward to having it done." then i get 'er done. and without fail, it has always been worth the extra work in the end. you're both doing a splendid job. always enjoy your videos.
The bricks are refractory material. We had some so I saved the bricks and so far have made two bread ovens out of them. Really useful thing to have in the garden and can be used for stews, bread, pizza etc. planning to build my third next year.
Well done Lou. Really good (accurate) explanation of the thermal mass and reducing damp. You referred to ventilation, so a really good explanation of that in your context will be great too. People forget about ventilation in older houses, and lots of old knowledge has been lost. My Council property is a case in point. Black mould is rife in my neighbours bungalows because they rely on the poor ventilation in these Council maintained properties. I'm fighting my cause at the moment that more non-mechanical ventilation, and its maintenance, is necessary. I learnt that back when doing my C&G plumbing and Corgi Reg training back in the 1980s. These days the building industry just wants everything to be mechanised. Bonkers. Oh and well done Em for the advice on smells behind masks. I know that one too. Really enjoying your vlogs. Cheers from Liz. Once of EBB & FLOW Women Plumbers, based in Yorkshire.
Totally understand the point with the noise. My dad is an installer for heating systems and he frequently tells me that people scare away from heat pumps because of the noise. He usually recommends to put the heat pump as far away from the house as the installation allows. The new models are VERY quiet, but obviously the older they get, the louder they get and they are expensive as SH*T. It can also be quite complicated to install a heat pump in an old house, as far as I know. So yeah, your points make sense. Also, the drawing on the wall to explain… I wish my teachers would’ve been capable of that. Even I understood that. 😂
I used the old heater bricks to line the bottom of my greenhouse and they took in the sun during the day and fed it back during the night and it worked very well in keeping the night temperatures up.
My mill in France is very old stone like yours, we had no need to stud and line it and it's warm in winter and cool in the hot summers. You are approaching this so sensibly and must be getting great advice. A few things I do to help, I let in every ray of sunshine that i can during the day, open doors, garage doors and windows. Even in winter, but shut down at about 5pm to keep the heat in. You may have noticed driving through France the villages are like Ghost towns with shutters tight shut. Shutters trap a large space of air between windows and shutters, and keep more heat in. You are so right to use traditional lime mortar, it is great at wicking moisture, and deters insects (Emily will be pleased!), it may even kill some 😢! So use lime wash for the final coat on walls too maybe. You will have no condensation on the windows, this is a big bonus. I'm loving watching you renovating this lovely old building sympathetically! And watching the local wild life around you too. Go Robbo! Thanks for another great vlog. Jo in France 🇫🇷
Definitely take the triangle bit down in the bedroom, (think you'd regret it if you didn't). Also maybe think about replacing the door to nowhere with some narrow shelves (maybe useful for jars of stuff (sweets for emily) or spices etc. Your doing an amazing job by the way, love your videos.
Louise thank you thank you thank you for explaining insulation in a sensible and methodical way! It makes much more sense both for the van and home! Well done girls once again, you’re amazing! Re the bedroom wall? You answered your own question…… get rid, I recon you’ll regret not doing it later!
What a treat. A mid-week video.....I did just replace oil furnace with heat pump in damp Washington state.....save a lot of $$ and got tax credit for helping the environment....also nice to have AC in summer, but that's probably not a concern there....people in cold New England use heat pumps effectively, but maybe different due to lack of wall insulation....I do have exposed bricks in my home in Washington (walls with zero insulation in one big room) and it does get chilly adjacent to them....
I remember we only had one room downstairs, the living room which had two storage heaters either side of the room. I would sit there with my back burning against them as they got so hot! We had no heating in the rest of the rooms in the house, it was an old Victorian house with shutters so Halloween was great! We went to bed dressed like we were camping and our breath was like a scene from the exorcist lol Making shapes on the ice on the inside of the windows was a pastime. 7 floors with sash windows an attic and a basement with stone flagg stone flooring and the old fire place (in every room) and an old floor to ceiling French dresser built into the wall. I still cannot get used to central heating as this is the only house that I live in now that has had it! I am really enjoying the renovating of this old cottage and its bringing lots of memories of my childhood back thanks 🤗
I recently renovated a cottage and lived in it for 10 years prior to renovation. Dry or not, you will still lose A LOT of heat through the walls. Insulation in floor/roof will help and it will be fine with a stove during the day/eve, but it will be the mornings you will feel it cold the most. If you could manage to get wet underfloor heating in it, this would massively help. Range/stove could heat the floor during the day/evening and the then will continue to give off heat during the night and then you can still wake up to cosy warmth. It could be heated via oil and/or stove. Biggest thickest slab you can fit. Also underfloor requires lower temps which will save a lot of fuel for the stove and oil bill too if you go that route.
Agree with you. I have my oil boiler ticking over on 20* day and night throughout the winter. Once walls are holding some warmth, the boiler kicks in only occasionally. If off overnight it takes an age to warm up in the morning.
Loving the videos, doesn’t matter if it’s vans, cottages or watching you do a jigsaw puzzle , it’s always very very watchable and entertaining. You two are the dogs wotsits , keep on doing what you’re doing, big love ❤️ Robbo
Excellent job explaining. To me there is nothing worse for a layman like myself that someone explaining stuff in technical language. Just tell me in plain/easy words so I can get the general understanding to what you are doing and as long as you know the technical stuff then it will be a joy to watch you finish your home. Great job and the house is really moving along.
I also made use of the fire bricks in my old storage heaters. I lined two of my fire places with them and put some into the path outside my front gate. When there's heavy rain, a little river runs down the hill and along the path, digging deep into it and washing some away. No flood has ever moved the heavy fire bricks.
If you can find room for your stuff, I'd make a mess once, make your bedroom bigger, and get it done in one go. Living in co Fermanagh in an old stone cottage myself, once you get the log burner going and the house heats up, it'll be cosy! Open fire heat is a different sort of heat...its hard to explain...my stove does my radiators and hotwater..I don't have a back up heat supply, which when your out for the day can be a pain. The rest of my family also have oil heating, and it works well. You're both doing a great job...it'll be beautiful home when it's done. From your internet aunty...😂 you can still buy solid fuel range cookers if you feel the need...as we have no natural gas as such I have converted a gas cooker to work on calor gas its cheap to do..which helps as we have a few powercuts, though you'll have fanny to cook in 🤷🏻♀️ if that happens...
Its me the old guy again but can we please have a Sunday and Wednesday Vlog ?? Even if one is the adorable cottage and one is the amazing wildlife. Btw I love the Robin mine won't come to my hand but he will wait on the potting bench for me to put the mealworms down. I absolutely adore pine martins btw. Such a gorgeous creature.
Louise, as an experienced teacher, trainer and “trainer trainer”, I am consistently impressed and amazed by your ability to explain things. I learn so much every time I watch you guys. You definitely have an alternative career option! This was a wonderful episode, thank you xx
Since you're pouring a new floor anyway, you should do heated floors. They would do a great job of helping to keep the house warm and they feel really nice on cold days. House is looking great though. You girls are doing an amazing job!
Our first storage heaters in the 1960’s were about quadruple the width of the latest versions and on a winter’s evening they were almost depleted of warmth. Going over to oil boiler with a phone app to adjust the temperature etc from anywhere is brilliant. Have a multi fuel stove too for special/festive occasions . Thanks for sharing both.
This video brought back many memories of my own cottage reno! I too found newspaper in the walls! I also took down the wall between too small bedrooms to create one larger bedroom and it was defo the right decision! Great video!
My hubby and I love watching your videos, so much progress already, you can see how beautiful it will be with those lovely walls, talking about walls, we agree with Emily we would remove the triangle wall too. Take care ladies x
Double surprise on a Wednesday, a new video and a hidden door, as a horror movies fan, I was truly waiting for answer after the knocking. What if you had found the Hidden Snacks Room? Great to see how much you've come through. ¡¡Pura Vida!!
Storage heaters are rubbish. I live in a 1750s rubble stone cottage, the key to keeping it warm is to keep a multi fuel stove burning over autumn and winter. We bank ours up at night and get it blazing again in the morning, works lovely. I live in the foot of the Brecons, central heating only goes on for an hour in the morning deep winter to take the nip off when I have to get up early for work. Ventilation is crucial, absolutely, we have plenty as we only have single glaze due to grade II listing and a fair few natural drafts. Never had a damp problem except when the down pipe was blocked, unblocked it and problem solved.
A mid week treat ! 😊 the walls you exposed are looking in good nick , that door is a cool find aswell ! Excited to see them pointed up and what ye decide to do with the bedroom , opening it up and re-studding even though a big job will save time and hassle when it comes to laying the floor , keep up the great work Ladies 😊
I agree ventilation is essential, my house (18th & 19th centuries) doesn't have cavity walls but is now very well insulated on all external surfaces & I now have good under floor (insulated) ventilation, ditto in the loft (insulated) & 'trickle' ventilation in my windows. You can see everything drying out. I had quite 'extensive' discussions with some contractors (I'm a bit long in the tooth to DIY it now & am a bit jealous of you both doing it) who wanted to build internal stud walls for insulation purposes. They didn't believe what I was saying about thermal mass or the risk of condensation - needless to say the one who who was prepared to listen, check on what I was saying etc. got the job. Sometimes a girl just has to stick to her guns. 🤣
Get yourself a log burner with a back boiler to heat your rads plenty of seasoned timber / turf if not than a pellet stove is all the rage now no mess just fill up with pellets it can be set with timer / WiFi. Most important is the attic space it's needs to be insulated properly I'm not a big fan of spray foam insulation . All homes should have a dehumidifier new builds & old homes it's amazing hou much moisture we created by cooking breathing/ showering. Keep up the good work your doing a great job.
peat/turf is being banned here in Ireland so no point in trying to incorporate it. There is also a supply issue with wood pellets. Seasoned timber seems to be the best and utilize electric
It’s all being done so I would agree, just bite the bullet and go for the bigger bedroom. You both deserve this and you are building your forever home 🏡 Enjoy xx🇬🇧
Wow, another video, yay!! Really interesting Lou, something us Queenslanders never have to deal with, so it’s nice to learn about how the houses over there are managed in the cold and wet. This is just what I need to relax before heading to work this morning, put’s a smile on my face.😊
Great stuff Lou. When you've done restoring, you could teach people how to restore their cottages. You have obviously done so much research. Thanks for the extra video!
Wow this one was perfectly timed today.. i was sitting at my desk working, wrapped in a blanket and sipping hot coffee because it was absolutely freezing outside this morning!! Lol. Great to see your faces mid-week ladies!! Have a wonderful week!! ❤
My friend took all the cement render off her stone cottage in the West of Ireland inside and out.. lime rendered, insulated floor and ceiling and it's so warm and cosy... Stays dry even if empty for months. Left the rock wall shapes inside and it's gorgeous.. yours will be too.
4:10 YES 😀 finally somebody understands thermal mass and why 3 foot thick walls DONT need layers of insulation 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️ thank you . I’ve seen so many renovations where they stuff the walls with insulation and layers of plastic - then wonder why it’s still wet underneath 🙄 walls need to BREATHE ✅ I actually miss my old house - it had storage heaters and was always warm and dry - they work great if they are fitted in the right place and the correct size for the room .
Great video. We've just bought a 1900 cottage in Donegal and are trying to work out the best solution to the damp/heating/ventilation conundrum. Found this really helpful.
Highly recommend having a conversation with someone knowledgeable with heat pumps. We've had one in our solid stone house for 18 months and it's been brilliant at keeping the thermal mass at a consistent temperature. Done right, it's a really efficient way of heating
Rip it out and start again! That's my answer to many things. The only triangles allowed are Toblerone right Em? You're doing well girls. Where's my cuzz Kevin he should be round there checking you out.
"Take it off! Take it off!" 😮 Oh, sorry, i meant "Take it down! Take it down!" 😊 Totally agree about windows open. If you stay shut up in your house in the cold season & never go outdoors or have some ventilation to acclimate yourself, you are going to have your house boiling hot & won't even realize it. Great work, Ladies!
Hi Lou, one of my customers did what you are doing, they glued cork to the outside of the house then rendered that. They left the bottom of the wall to help with the damp. Basically doing everything like you are doing with the added insulation. And lowering the water table with perforated land drain, like you are doing. And as far as I know it's working as with the natural ventilation and the fire sucks any moisture out. Hope this is useful.
I was working for the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) in Ireland in the early 80's and installed loads of those exact storage heaters. The were in use well into the 2000's.
I like your description of the heating/humidity issues. In a previous house with very thick walls I used to keep the heating on low constantly, ventilate well, and top up the heat with a woodburner. Otherwise you will be heating the air but will feel the radiated cold from the walls, as they take hours or days to warm up. I would remove the wall to the bedroom, you may want to build two smaller rooms, one guest room, one store or allow for an extension to the rear. You could even put in a stairs to upstairs and some dormer windows. Perhaps it's worth asking an architect or researching on how to prepare the space flexibly.
We use to have storage heaters like that, at the time ( early 1970s ) we thought they were great. I ripped them all out, in fact I have used the clay blocks that came off them in the garden as an edging to the flower beds. I now have heaters that just plug into the electric ( they are called Haverland ), they are absolutely brilliant, they come with 7 programmable timings and the ability to even create your own. Not cheap but worth it. If only I could help you both, I loved renovating my 1940s home. It’s hard work but so satisfying when you have done it yourself. ❤❤ oh, I love surprise discoveries. Yes yes keep the door, get rid of the triangle wall and have a bigger bedroom. Great video.😊😊
Great explanation. Amazing how they built those homes originally, you'd think they would know best. It's so cool being so natural with the stone, I love it too. Admire you gals. Cheers!🎉🏡
Loved the video and the artwork explanation, Louise. I agree with Emily, I'd remove the triangle joined fireplaces. You will be pleased with yourselves once it's finished. Loving 2 videos a week. ❤ ... I even stopped sewing my daughters kingsize anniversary quilt to watch. Got my priorities, right? Yeah. Loveit ladies. Xxx
Take the wall out. I reckon you’d be thankful for doing it, even if it means a bit more work in the long run. Also Louise, we’re intrigued how your such a font of knowledge on building/construction. Your explanations are clear and informative. We’re learning a lot from you.
Hi Hi Emmely and Louise exelant explanation of thermodynamics, it so simple when explained by someone who understands. It has been a pleasure to watch this video, educational and enjoyable kind regards Sean
Those old wall are one solid wall, another good thing to do is plenty of overhang on new roof!.. warm air heating would be good as provide constant warm dry air change helping remove damp out of the building, Jaguar in UK use solar air heaters on a south facing wall, that has reduced their heating by around 80%, also a solar air heater, will work without fans as warm air want to rise, so cold air gets drawn in at the bottom of the panel and as the air heats all the hot air wants rise to the top, and the beauty is that even when the building is sat empty, the building will provided with solar warm air, and even were you are solar air panels have been used in Canada, when freezing outside and still provide warm dry air. as long as the sun shines that is .... keep it up guys..
Great video. I would get rid of that bedroom wall and do it now so your completing a Reno on the whole house. You just know its gonna bug Emily until its done. I say go for it now then you won't have to do any more when you've finished the rest of the house. Love you guys xx
An extra treat seeing you two twice in one week. It’s Wednesday and I usually watch Kevin McCloud and Grand Designs but I’ve got to say it’s not a patch on you guys.
Back in 1994 a hippie friend of mine suggested an earth sheltered house❤ she's 1200 sq ft basically she's a daylight basement with a single pitch roof❤ 3/4 of the interior walls are still concrete with just the slightest bit of texturing like the interior walls that are sheetrock❤ when I hired the sheetrockers he was perplexed when I told him I didn't want him to cover the concrete❤ this man ignored me and delivered enough sheetrock to cover the concrete😂 sadly for him he had to take it back because I'm like sure that's the whole concept of the house it keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer❤❤❤ the Sprinter build-out is almost complete and a mom and her 18 year old son are going to call this place home
There’s an insulation material now that can be applied to the lime render . An old cottage near us here in Cornwall has just had it done, it’s a long process though, seems to consist of several treatments coupled with a specialised colour finish.
With all old properties you should tank all floors and walls,this solves all damp issues.Ive done this on my old solid walls in Scotland and the results are amazing.
Rubbish blanket comment there. Like I said in the video it may well work on some houses but 9 times out of 10 it’s a complete waste of time, money, and stress when the problem represents with even more damage. Every single traditional mason, and heritage engineer with experience of these buildings that we’ve spoken to or worked with prior pleads that people no longer do this. It’s a scam by “damp specialists” to make a quick buck.
Well well guess who was late for class,yes the Snacker dodged Miss Louise's science class😂😂😂❤❤ That door discovery is so cool luv it,as for the bedroom I'd make it bigger the more room the better. Great work girls loved the video😃you 2 always make me 😃
Not sure if it would be suitable for your walls but stormdry is something you paint on walls to stop rain penetrating and good for 25 years but is still breathable. It’s £125 and covers 25 square metres, my mate had one of her walls done a few years ago due to water penetration and working so far. You are both doing great well done x
Heat recovery ventilation system + air-to-air heat pump would be relatively cheaps to install at this stage. It will reduce humidity without opening windows. Get some solar too, it's grant aided. Oil is being phased out, boiler and pumps cause noise too.
I really enjoyed this one ladies, but as an old boy in his 70's I was half way through it before I realized it wasn't Sunday 🙄, thanks for that. Be lucky 😊
unless you have super cheap firewood available, an air2air heat pump is highly recommended. I have this as almost the only heat source in my house, west coast of norway, similar climate as you, 200 square meters. very good efficiency around 5 degrees. 700w in, 3-4kw out. when you are few people in the house the main benefit it blows air around, and keeps the heat stable 24/7. also filters the air.
Yes take the wall out you will be happier with the bigger bedroom. Save the wee door and maybe use it as a template for all the doors in the house . Really authentic. Love what you are doing.
What is this wizardry? Two videos in a week? LOVE it! Thank you guys! Ill watch it now! :D
😂🥳🥳
lifetime diy'er here. whenever i come across something unexpected like that, i always want to say, "let's just leave it, no big deal". but then i think about it a bit and end up saying "as much as i don't want to do it, it'd be better if i did" and that turns into" well, i'm not looking forward to doing it, but i'm looking forward to having it done." then i get 'er done. and without fail, it has always been worth the extra work in the end. you're both doing a splendid job. always enjoy your videos.
The bricks are refractory material.
We had some so I saved the bricks and so far have made two bread ovens out of them. Really useful thing to have in the garden and can be used for stews, bread, pizza etc. planning to build my third next year.
I came to say exactly this, great base for a pizza oven!
Well done Lou. Really good (accurate) explanation of the thermal mass and reducing damp. You referred to ventilation, so a really good explanation of that in your context will be great too. People forget about ventilation in older houses, and lots of old knowledge has been lost. My Council property is a case in point. Black mould is rife in my neighbours bungalows because they rely on the poor ventilation in these Council maintained properties. I'm fighting my cause at the moment that more non-mechanical ventilation, and its maintenance, is necessary. I learnt that back when doing my C&G plumbing and Corgi Reg training back in the 1980s. These days the building industry just wants everything to be mechanised. Bonkers. Oh and well done Em for the advice on smells behind masks. I know that one too. Really enjoying your vlogs. Cheers from Liz. Once of EBB & FLOW Women Plumbers, based in Yorkshire.
Could you link me to the esim you use please,luv your videos x
Loved your explanation...understood it!!!! Pictures always help!! Lol
Totally understand the point with the noise. My dad is an installer for heating systems and he frequently tells me that people scare away from heat pumps because of the noise. He usually recommends to put the heat pump as far away from the house as the installation allows. The new models are VERY quiet, but obviously the older they get, the louder they get and they are expensive as SH*T. It can also be quite complicated to install a heat pump in an old house, as far as I know. So yeah, your points make sense. Also, the drawing on the wall to explain… I wish my teachers would’ve been capable of that. Even I understood that. 😂
I think thermal heated floors are best for such a problematic environment... many ceiling fans and double panel windows. Your lungs will thank you....
I used the old heater bricks to line the bottom of my greenhouse and they took in the sun during the day and fed it back during the night and it worked very well in keeping the night temperatures up.
What a treat. Two vlogs from my favorite adventurous women in one week!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Did not expect a video for another few days. I'm so chuffed, right now Lou!!
A nice little surprise 😀🙌
My mill in France is very old stone like yours, we had no need to stud and line it and it's warm in winter and cool in the hot summers. You are approaching this so sensibly and must be getting great advice. A few things I do to help, I let in every ray of sunshine that i can during the day, open doors, garage doors and windows. Even in winter, but shut down at about 5pm to keep the heat in.
You may have noticed driving through France the villages are like Ghost towns with shutters tight shut. Shutters trap a large space of air between windows and shutters, and keep more heat in.
You are so right to use traditional lime mortar, it is great at wicking moisture, and deters insects (Emily will be pleased!), it may even kill some 😢! So use lime wash for the final coat on walls too maybe. You will have no condensation on the windows, this is a big bonus. I'm loving watching you renovating this lovely old building sympathetically! And watching the local wild life around you too. Go Robbo! Thanks for another great vlog. Jo in France 🇫🇷
What a lovely surprise on a Wednesday
Definitely take the triangle bit down in the bedroom, (think you'd regret it if you didn't). Also maybe think about replacing the door to nowhere with some narrow shelves (maybe useful for jars of stuff (sweets for emily) or spices etc. Your doing an amazing job by the way, love your videos.
What a treat, a midweek video from my two favourite ladies❤
Louise thank you thank you thank you for explaining insulation in a sensible and methodical way! It makes much more sense both for the van and home! Well done girls once again, you’re amazing! Re the bedroom wall? You answered your own question…… get rid, I recon you’ll regret not doing it later!
What a treat. A mid-week video.....I did just replace oil furnace with heat pump in damp Washington state.....save a lot of $$ and got tax credit for helping the environment....also nice to have AC in summer, but that's probably not a concern there....people in cold New England use heat pumps effectively, but maybe different due to lack of wall insulation....I do have exposed bricks in my home in Washington (walls with zero insulation in one big room) and it does get chilly adjacent to them....
I bet that looks lovely with the exposed brick
The intro to this vid is a work of art! Loved it!
Perhaps make a built-in shelving for mason jars and dry goods? Love Louises' explanation sessions! Well done Louise! Progress!
I remember we only had one room downstairs, the living room which had two storage heaters either side of the room. I would sit there with my back burning against them as they got so hot! We had no heating in the rest of the rooms in the house, it was an old Victorian house with shutters so Halloween was great! We went to bed dressed like we were camping and our breath was like a scene from the exorcist lol Making shapes on the ice on the inside of the windows was a pastime. 7 floors with sash windows an attic and a basement with stone flagg stone flooring and the old fire place (in every room) and an old floor to ceiling French dresser built into the wall. I still cannot get used to central heating as this is the only house that I live in now that has had it! I am really enjoying the renovating of this old cottage and its bringing lots of memories of my childhood back thanks 🤗
Take down, start over......
Looking good ladies.
Thanks for the share 🤙👍
So nice to see you both mid-week. Feels like Sunday. Doing such a grand job (as they say in your neck of the woods) x
Omg Lou you should be 300yrs old with all the bumph you know!🙌 totally agree..rip wall down. 😂
Your spot on with what said about ventilation I'm same windows open dry heat no good
What!!! this is a great mid week suprise..😮 for what it's worth take it down..x
I recently renovated a cottage and lived in it for 10 years prior to renovation. Dry or not, you will still lose A LOT of heat through the walls. Insulation in floor/roof will help and it will be fine with a stove during the day/eve, but it will be the mornings you will feel it cold the most. If you could manage to get wet underfloor heating in it, this would massively help. Range/stove could heat the floor during the day/evening and the then will continue to give off heat during the night and then you can still wake up to cosy warmth. It could be heated via oil and/or stove. Biggest thickest slab you can fit. Also underfloor requires lower temps which will save a lot of fuel for the stove and oil bill too if you go that route.
Agree with you. I have my oil boiler ticking over on 20* day and night throughout the winter. Once walls are holding some warmth, the boiler kicks in only occasionally. If off overnight it takes an age to warm up in the morning.
Loving the videos, doesn’t matter if it’s vans, cottages or watching you do a jigsaw puzzle , it’s always very very watchable and entertaining. You two are the dogs wotsits , keep on doing what you’re doing, big love ❤️ Robbo
Great video- my vote remove the wall, I suspect if you don’t you’re regret it. Send best wishes for safe and happy renovations
Excellent job explaining. To me there is nothing worse for a layman like myself that someone explaining stuff in technical language. Just tell me in plain/easy words so I can get the general understanding to what you are doing and as long as you know the technical stuff then it will be a joy to watch you finish your home.
Great job and the house is really moving along.
I also made use of the fire bricks in my old storage heaters. I lined two of my fire places with them and put some into the path outside my front gate. When there's heavy rain, a little river runs down the hill and along the path, digging deep into it and washing some away. No flood has ever moved the heavy fire bricks.
If you can find room for your stuff, I'd make a mess once, make your bedroom bigger, and get it done in one go.
Living in co Fermanagh in an old stone cottage myself, once you get the log burner going and the house heats up, it'll be cosy! Open fire heat is a different sort of heat...its hard to explain...my stove does my radiators and hotwater..I don't have a back up heat supply, which when your out for the day can be a pain. The rest of my family also have oil heating, and it works well. You're both doing a great job...it'll be beautiful home when it's done. From your internet aunty...😂 you can still buy solid fuel range cookers if you feel the need...as we have no natural gas as such I have converted a gas cooker to work on calor gas its cheap to do..which helps as we have a few powercuts, though you'll have fanny to cook in 🤷🏻♀️ if that happens...
Love the midweek bonus video! Great explanation on the walls and how to avoid damp and heat the house.
Its me the old guy again but can we please have a Sunday and Wednesday Vlog ?? Even if one is the adorable cottage and one is the amazing wildlife. Btw I love the Robin mine won't come to my hand but he will wait on the potting bench for me to put the mealworms down. I absolutely adore pine martins btw. Such a gorgeous creature.
Louise, as an experienced teacher, trainer and “trainer trainer”, I am consistently impressed and amazed by your ability to explain things. I learn so much every time I watch you guys. You definitely have an alternative career option!
This was a wonderful episode, thank you xx
Since you're pouring a new floor anyway, you should do heated floors. They would do a great job of helping to keep the house warm and they feel really nice on cold days. House is looking great though. You girls are doing an amazing job!
Our first storage heaters in the 1960’s were about quadruple the width of the latest versions and on a winter’s evening they were almost depleted of warmth. Going over to oil boiler with a phone
app to adjust the temperature etc from anywhere is brilliant. Have a multi fuel stove too for special/festive occasions .
Thanks for sharing both.
This video brought back many memories of my own cottage reno! I too found newspaper in the walls! I also took down the wall between too small bedrooms to create one larger bedroom and it was defo the right decision! Great video!
My hubby and I love watching your videos, so much progress already, you can see how beautiful it will be with those lovely walls, talking about walls, we agree with Emily we would remove the triangle wall too. Take care ladies x
My God, Louise, you are friggin brilliant! I know NOTHING about this znd your explanations are amazing! Thanks!
Double surprise on a Wednesday, a new video and a hidden door, as a horror movies fan, I was truly waiting for answer after the knocking. What if you had found the Hidden Snacks Room? Great to see how much you've come through. ¡¡Pura Vida!!
Storage heaters are rubbish. I live in a 1750s rubble stone cottage, the key to keeping it warm is to keep a multi fuel stove burning over autumn and winter. We bank ours up at night and get it blazing again in the morning, works lovely. I live in the foot of the Brecons, central heating only goes on for an hour in the morning deep winter to take the nip off when I have to get up early for work. Ventilation is crucial, absolutely, we have plenty as we only have single glaze due to grade II listing and a fair few natural drafts. Never had a damp problem except when the down pipe was blocked, unblocked it and problem solved.
That was a great explanation of the way the lime works instead of cement!
Louise you are doing a great job
A mid week treat ! 😊 the walls you exposed are looking in good nick , that door is a cool find aswell ! Excited to see them pointed up and what ye decide to do with the bedroom , opening it up and re-studding even though a big job will save time and hassle when it comes to laying the floor , keep up the great work Ladies 😊
I agree ventilation is essential, my house (18th & 19th centuries) doesn't have cavity walls but is now very well insulated on all external surfaces & I now have good under floor (insulated) ventilation, ditto in the loft (insulated) & 'trickle' ventilation in my windows. You can see everything drying out. I had quite 'extensive' discussions with some contractors (I'm a bit long in the tooth to DIY it now & am a bit jealous of you both doing it) who wanted to build internal stud walls for insulation purposes. They didn't believe what I was saying about thermal mass or the risk of condensation - needless to say the one who who was prepared to listen, check on what I was saying etc. got the job. Sometimes a girl just has to stick to her guns. 🤣
Get yourself a log burner with a back boiler to heat your rads plenty of seasoned timber / turf if not than a pellet stove is all the rage now no mess just fill up with pellets it can be set with timer / WiFi. Most important is the attic space it's needs to be insulated properly I'm not a big fan of spray foam insulation . All homes should have a dehumidifier new builds & old homes it's amazing hou much moisture we created by cooking breathing/ showering. Keep up the good work your doing a great job.
Ireland has no forests! Only bogs that people harvest peat and manure to burn... get with the times and use solar and wind power!!!
peat/turf is being banned here in Ireland so no point in trying to incorporate it. There is also a supply issue with wood pellets. Seasoned timber seems to be the best and utilize electric
It’s all being done so I would agree, just bite the bullet and go for the bigger bedroom. You both deserve this and you are building your forever home 🏡 Enjoy xx🇬🇧
Wow, another video, yay!! Really interesting Lou, something us Queenslanders never have to deal with, so it’s nice to learn about how the houses over there are managed in the cold and wet. This is just what I need to relax before heading to work this morning, put’s a smile on my face.😊
I understood it all what were saying about how you would keep the place warm.
Enjoyed both the videos this week. Keep going. Mark
Great stuff Lou. When you've done restoring, you could teach people how to restore their cottages. You have obviously done so much research. Thanks for the extra video!
Wow this one was perfectly timed today.. i was sitting at my desk working, wrapped in a blanket and sipping hot coffee because it was absolutely freezing outside this morning!! Lol. Great to see your faces mid-week ladies!! Have a wonderful week!! ❤
My friend took all the cement render off her stone cottage in the West of Ireland inside and out.. lime rendered, insulated floor and ceiling and it's so warm and cosy... Stays dry even if empty for months.
Left the rock wall shapes inside and it's gorgeous.. yours will be too.
4:10 YES 😀 finally somebody understands thermal mass and why 3 foot thick walls DONT need layers of insulation 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️ thank you . I’ve seen so many renovations where they stuff the walls with insulation and layers of plastic - then wonder why it’s still wet underneath 🙄 walls need to BREATHE ✅ I actually miss my old house - it had storage heaters and was always warm and dry - they work great if they are fitted in the right place and the correct size for the room .
Thanks for the bonus episode. Made my day. Y’all are amazing.👏🏻
Vamoooooossss!!! 2 videitos en la semana!!!!❤
Great video. We've just bought a 1900 cottage in Donegal and are trying to work out the best solution to the damp/heating/ventilation conundrum. Found this really helpful.
Highly recommend having a conversation with someone knowledgeable with heat pumps. We've had one in our solid stone house for 18 months and it's been brilliant at keeping the thermal mass at a consistent temperature. Done right, it's a really efficient way of heating
Happy to see another video ❤! Getting stuff done 😀 ❤
I learned something today…..THANK YOU!!!! I had to edit this……I’ve learned a few things from this video…..excellent explanations thank you!!!
It is going to look amazing.
Defo take out wall whilst your in a building site
Nothing worse than regrets 😊😊😊
So proud of all your renovations, your doing amazing 😊
Must admit I was a bit worried when you were standing under the doorframe🥺 Louise. Always exciting to find something behind a wall. Stay safe girls🤗🇬🇧
Rip it out and start again! That's my answer to many things. The only triangles allowed are Toblerone right Em? You're doing well girls. Where's my cuzz Kevin he should be round there checking you out.
"Take it off! Take it off!" 😮 Oh, sorry, i meant "Take it down! Take it down!" 😊
Totally agree about windows open. If you stay shut up in your house in the cold season & never go outdoors or have some ventilation to acclimate yourself, you are going to have your house boiling hot & won't even realize it.
Great work, Ladies!
Hi Lou, one of my customers did what you are doing, they glued cork to the outside of the house then rendered that. They left the bottom of the wall to help with the damp. Basically doing everything like you are doing with the added insulation. And lowering the water table with perforated land drain, like you are doing. And as far as I know it's working as with the natural ventilation and the fire sucks any moisture out. Hope this is useful.
Total respect,to the both of you .🌹🌹
love having 2 videos a week, thank you, hope you keep 2 a week going for a while ☺
Loved seeing 2 videos in a week!!😊
Wow didn’t expect another video this week. Thanks ladies keep up the good work
Fantastic. Trick or treat. 🎉treat. A 2nd video. 😮😊
Yay what a great thing to see a weds camper vibe video. Know what I will be watching with my furry fam after work!
🥳🥳😀😀😀
Well done girls, and what a fabulous find of the little green door! I would be in mind to keep it....a bit of the OG house, qwerky, and fun. xx
I was working for the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) in Ireland in the early 80's and installed loads of those exact storage heaters. The were in use well into the 2000's.
Phew! That’s what we’re doing too and that’s why also! Yay! And what a treat - a Wednesday veejo!
I like your description of the heating/humidity issues. In a previous house with very thick walls I used to keep the heating on low constantly, ventilate well, and top up the heat with a woodburner. Otherwise you will be heating the air but will feel the radiated cold from the walls, as they take hours or days to warm up.
I would remove the wall to the bedroom, you may want to build two smaller rooms, one guest room, one store or allow for an extension to the rear. You could even put in a stairs to upstairs and some dormer windows. Perhaps it's worth asking an architect or researching on how to prepare the space flexibly.
We use to have storage heaters like that, at the time ( early 1970s ) we thought they were great. I ripped them all out, in fact I have used the clay blocks that came off them in the garden as an edging to the flower beds. I now have heaters that just plug into the electric ( they are called Haverland ), they are absolutely brilliant, they come with 7 programmable timings and the ability to even create your own. Not cheap but worth it. If only I could help you both, I loved renovating my 1940s home. It’s hard work but so satisfying when you have done it yourself. ❤❤ oh, I love surprise discoveries. Yes yes keep the door, get rid of the triangle wall and have a bigger bedroom. Great video.😊😊
Great explanation. Amazing how they built those homes originally, you'd think they would know best.
It's so cool being so natural with the stone, I love it too. Admire you gals. Cheers!🎉🏡
Yes a bigger bedroom,you both are doing an amazing job ❤ love your channel ❤️
Very well explained Louise. Yes, get rid of the triangle
Loved the video and the artwork explanation, Louise. I agree with Emily, I'd remove the triangle joined fireplaces. You will be pleased with yourselves once it's finished. Loving 2 videos a week. ❤ ... I even stopped sewing my daughters kingsize anniversary quilt to watch. Got my priorities, right? Yeah. Loveit ladies. Xxx
Take the wall out. I reckon you’d be thankful for doing it, even if it means a bit more work in the long run.
Also Louise, we’re intrigued how your such a font of knowledge on building/construction. Your explanations are clear and informative. We’re learning a lot from you.
Hi Hi Emmely and Louise exelant explanation of thermodynamics, it so simple when explained by someone who understands. It has been a pleasure to watch this video, educational and enjoyable
kind regards Sean
A great explanation. Thankyou.
Love it! It's coming along nicely.
I love your endless enthusiasm and ideas! Go for it now the time to make the mess and otherwise you will regret leaving it. Go for it girls 😁👍❤️
Those old wall are one solid wall, another good thing to do is plenty of overhang on new roof!.. warm air heating would be good as provide constant warm dry air change helping remove damp out of the building, Jaguar in UK use solar air heaters on a south facing wall, that has reduced their heating by around 80%, also a solar air heater, will work without fans as warm air want to rise, so cold air gets drawn in at the bottom of the panel and as the air heats all the hot air wants rise to the top, and the beauty is that even when the building is sat empty, the building will provided with solar warm air, and even were you are solar air panels have been used in Canada, when freezing outside and still provide warm dry air. as long as the sun shines that is .... keep it up guys..
Great video. I would get rid of that bedroom wall and do it now so your completing a Reno on the whole house. You just know its gonna bug Emily until its done. I say go for it now then you won't have to do any more when you've finished the rest of the house. Love you guys xx
Gosh you two are some great grafters you make it look so easy. Have to agree take down the triangle wall. Great video as always girls x
An extra treat seeing you two twice in one week.
It’s Wednesday and I usually watch Kevin McCloud and Grand Designs but I’ve got to say it’s not a patch on you guys.
Back in 1994 a hippie friend of mine suggested an earth sheltered house❤ she's 1200 sq ft basically she's a daylight basement with a single pitch roof❤ 3/4 of the interior walls are still concrete with just the slightest bit of texturing like the interior walls that are sheetrock❤ when I hired the sheetrockers he was perplexed when I told him I didn't want him to cover the concrete❤ this man ignored me and delivered enough sheetrock to cover the concrete😂 sadly for him he had to take it back because I'm like sure that's the whole concept of the house it keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer❤❤❤ the Sprinter build-out is almost complete and a mom and her 18 year old son are going to call this place home
Most definitely take the wall out!! It's going to look brilliant.
Hello thank you for sharing this with us. Love to you both from Devon.
There’s an insulation material now that can be applied to the lime render . An old cottage near us here in Cornwall has just had it done, it’s a long process though, seems to consist of several treatments coupled with a specialised colour finish.
With all old properties you should tank all floors and walls,this solves all damp issues.Ive done this on my old solid walls in Scotland and the results are amazing.
Rubbish blanket comment there. Like I said in the video it may well work on some houses but 9 times out of 10 it’s a complete waste of time, money, and stress when the problem represents with even more damage.
Every single traditional mason, and heritage engineer with experience of these buildings that we’ve spoken to or worked with prior pleads that people no longer do this. It’s a scam by “damp specialists” to make a quick buck.
Well well guess who was late for class,yes the Snacker dodged Miss Louise's science class😂😂😂❤❤ That door discovery is so cool luv it,as for the bedroom I'd make it bigger the more room the better. Great work girls loved the video😃you 2 always make me 😃
Not sure if it would be suitable for your walls but stormdry is something you paint on walls to stop rain penetrating and good for 25 years but is still breathable. It’s £125 and covers 25 square metres, my mate had one of her walls done a few years ago due to water penetration and working so far. You are both doing great well done x
Another stellar informative video!
You made the heating system very easy to understand and I couldn't agree more. I love your idea and hope it works for you two. Sounds like it will.
Heat recovery ventilation system + air-to-air heat pump would be relatively cheaps to install at this stage. It will reduce humidity without opening windows. Get some solar too, it's grant aided. Oil is being phased out, boiler and pumps cause noise too.
I really enjoyed this one ladies, but as an old boy in his 70's I was half way through it before I realized it wasn't Sunday 🙄, thanks for that. Be lucky 😊
Loved the extra insight. Wall down I think then you can get the size and shape of the rooms you want x
unless you have super cheap firewood available, an air2air heat pump is highly recommended. I have this as almost the only heat source in my house, west coast of norway, similar climate as you, 200 square meters. very good efficiency around 5 degrees. 700w in, 3-4kw out. when you are few people in the house the main benefit it blows air around, and keeps the heat stable 24/7. also filters the air.