One step at a time

When the SIPS panels were initially constructed, a temporary staircase was put in to allow access to the upstairs.  

A reminder of the days when we had a very steep, but functional temporary staircase

However, to allow internal plaster-boarding, skimming and an initial coat of paint to be applied, that staircase had been removed.  This meant getting to upstairs was slightly more of a challenge with the route something like:

- Go into the lounge-diner, through the hallway, and out of the front door;

- Climb the scaffolding ladder to the first level of scaffolding (we had 3 levels at one point!);

- Go around the house to the opening for the bedroom window overlooking the canal;

- Climb the 4 steps and enter the bedroom using the window opening.

The last 4 steps

As you can imagine, this was a tad inconvenient with the near vertical ladder climb to the scaffolding making it difficult to carry anything.  So we have been looking forward to the day when our proper staircase could be fitted. On Monday, the kit of parts arrived, taking pride of place in the centre of the lounge-diner!

Part of the Staircase Jigsaw

...and the other part!

On Thursday and Friday, a specialist fitter was engaged to convert the many apparently random pieces of wood into something that could be used to safely traverse from one floor to another.

This was nearly completed by the end of Friday, although a gap still remains between the top of the stairs and the landing.  We expect a complete, usable staircase on Tuesday.

Clues for construction are also provided

Stairway to nowhere

Getting there

Nearly, but not quite

The post holding up the final quarter-landing is temporary.  On Tuesday, this landing should be fixed and suspended from the floor upstairs, and allowing the final two steps to be added.  This will mean that the Juliet balcony we currently have upstairs will cease to exist and will become a proper landing!

Apart from completing the staircase, the priority next week is the finishing of the external brickwork and the final measurements for the windows so that manufacturer of them can begin.  It will be a further 3 or 4 weeks until they are installed though.