Frames, Sills and Panes

It seems an awfully long time since the windows were signed off, and even longer since we agreed what they should be.  The order was placed on the understanding that they could take up to 4 weeks, but would usually be ready in 3.  It wasn't long before it was clear that 3 weeks was not achievable and 4 weeks looked doubtful.  Eventually 4 weeks became 6!  Even with the delayed windows we were assured that the builders would still be on course to finish by the end of July.
Yesterday, the first of the windows finally arrived.  We have a few triangular windows to fit into the sloping ceilings, and they were all delivered first, together with the sills for the ground floor.  All the ground floor sills were fitted together with some of the frames.  It was important to fit the sill for the patio doors in the kitchen yesterday as today, the kitchen fitters arrived (as planned) to fit the floor, and the sill was needed to get the levels correct.  Apart from the sills, the frames were fitted to the kitchen, cloakroom and study windows.  The actual window panes are fitted later, but we have some of them already on site.  Today, the remaining frames, sills and panes were delivered.  Most of the panes which arrived today have integral blinds operated by magnets which will avoid us needing curtains in some of the rooms.

Odd shaped window openings

Odd-shaped windows frames

First finished window in the Study

Staircase window

Bi-fold doors waiting in the wings

After a few weeks of moderate activity, this week is turning out to be manic on site.  Bathroom fitting has continued apace throughout the week, but is now being held up by the lack of water to the actual house.  We are waiting for the builder's plumber to return and make the final connection between the mains provided by Thames Water, and the house.  Whilst waiting for the plumber and for the windows to be fitted, the opportunity was taken to bring the awfully large en-suite shower screen through one of the window openings rather than trying and manhandle it up the stairs when the windows went in.

Today, the re-enforced steel bars were delivered for the garage foundations.  This is used to bridge the gaps between the piles which are then held together with another 600mm of concrete which should be poured on Friday.  Whilst this is a lot less than the main house, it is only for a single storey garage, and still seems to be an overkill, but it's what our local council are insisting on.  The locals are very suspicious that we are going to build a block of flats on it!  All this means that blockwork and brickwork can start early next week.  In the meantime, the bricky has returned today to continue the terrace wall down to the canal.

The fitting of the windows should be completed this week which means that the larch cladding can be fixed to the first floor overhang and then, at long last, the rest of the scaffolding can come down!.  It makes sense to mount the aerials on the chimney before the scaffolding is removed, so the aerial fitter is booked for Friday.  Cropredy is not in a good reception area and this necessitates the use of a 10ft pole above chimney.  All our neighbours have the same arrangement.

So, we're still on course (apparently) to move in at the end of July.  Fingers are still tightly crossed!