My neighbbour called yesterday (I thought to complain about the builders) but no.. that was a relief. My neighbours wanted my view on putting gates on the private road which leads to our houses… I will have to think about it i am not so sure (apart from being on a severe budget at the moment). However she also mentioned that the builders have started moving the earth to create the parking area, new terrace and swimming pool. Cant wait to see how things are going but will have to wait until next week….. I will then post some photos. Lets hope the weather holds.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Thoughts on a new colour for the house
We took this picture on one of our many visits to the Comune. We are looking back toward the house from Castelnuovo Magra. You can see the house with our neighbours a little to the left and below(terracotta) and our other neighbour above us and to the left(cream). We are thinking of painting our house a darker colour so that it doesnt standout so much. Maybe a dark mushroom/taupe colour. The house would then blend in with the background more. Also we will be putting some dark wooden shutters on some of the windows.These will not only be decorative but will also keep the summer sun out if required. Saturday, October 17, 2009
Aspirations to be Green!
When I was looking for a property I was interested in buying a relatively new house rather than an old property. I wanted to create a modern home in Italy. Most expats want to buy a piece of history and restore it. I have done this with some friends in Tuscany www.fontelunga.com but now I wanted to do something a little different for myself. By buying a modern property I had more scope for doing something a little bit different and at the same time not being constrained too much by history but only the bureaucrats!
The problems with renovating a 70s’ house you become aware of when you open it up like any property. You realise that the methods of construction during these times were a little slap dash to say the least. Little or no foundations no insulation the use of asbestos etc. The much older houses were probably better built or at least they had thick walls.
We are removing some old asbestos water tanks in the roof. – the cost is expensive and as they are not broken I could leave them there but probably better and I feel better with them not there. I just have to make sure they are disposed of correctly. As we are digging up the old floors to put in foundations we can now insulate them properly and at the same time we will insulate the roof. We are putting in under floor heating with photovoltaic panels to use the suns energy to provide the electricity for use in the house and solar panels for heating the water for the underfloor heating and domestic use. We are also using air heat pumps which are economical in their use of electricty. These are also useful in that they can be used to cool the water and therefore cool the house as well by keeping the floor cool. The larger windows mean we have to use glass that reduces energy and heat loss/gain in the winter and summer. The frames themselves will also be insulated. Use of blinds in the house will also reduce energy gain in the summer.
Water is a problem for us as we rely on a well. We will be conserving water wherever possible using rainwater in the loos and washing machine and for irrigating the garden and also by encouraging our guests to use less! Trying to be green has to be a passion as its expensive, I can understand people thinking twice before doing it. But inspite of the higher upfront cost our energy consumption should be low.
The problems with renovating a 70s’ house you become aware of when you open it up like any property. You realise that the methods of construction during these times were a little slap dash to say the least. Little or no foundations no insulation the use of asbestos etc. The much older houses were probably better built or at least they had thick walls.
We are removing some old asbestos water tanks in the roof. – the cost is expensive and as they are not broken I could leave them there but probably better and I feel better with them not there. I just have to make sure they are disposed of correctly. As we are digging up the old floors to put in foundations we can now insulate them properly and at the same time we will insulate the roof. We are putting in under floor heating with photovoltaic panels to use the suns energy to provide the electricity for use in the house and solar panels for heating the water for the underfloor heating and domestic use. We are also using air heat pumps which are economical in their use of electricty. These are also useful in that they can be used to cool the water and therefore cool the house as well by keeping the floor cool. The larger windows mean we have to use glass that reduces energy and heat loss/gain in the winter and summer. The frames themselves will also be insulated. Use of blinds in the house will also reduce energy gain in the summer.
Water is a problem for us as we rely on a well. We will be conserving water wherever possible using rainwater in the loos and washing machine and for irrigating the garden and also by encouraging our guests to use less! Trying to be green has to be a passion as its expensive, I can understand people thinking twice before doing it. But inspite of the higher upfront cost our energy consumption should be low.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Progress? The house has not fallen down!
Just got back. We had a meeting with the Electricians and Plumbers today.. so they are now appointed and we can move forward! The builders will be happy. The house has not fallen down and I am told it is a lot safer now as they have filled in some of the holes and started to put in a cordolo (foundations) . Also there are a few more metal beams around the place holding things up! 
The space inside is beginning to come together and we are beginning to see how the spaces/rooms will look. Next week they hope to start earth moving so lets hope the weather stays good and the rate of construction remains at a good pace. Next week we will meet the falegname, who we hope to use to do the wooden shutters on the house and pergola in the garden.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Progress?
Tomorrow I hope to appoint the Idraulico and elettricista who will be working on the house. The electrics quote doesnt seem too bad, and the quote for the photovoltaic panels has come in less than I thought (the only one!) and that helps. It seems trying to be green and help the environment is expensive and I am not suprised few people are doing it at the moment.
It is the same as using rain water in the bathrooms you need double the number of pipes! I must be mad but it should be worth it in the end. I will be going to the house again to see it is still standing so i will post tomorrow and hope to have more pictures of what remains of the house.
It is the same as using rain water in the bathrooms you need double the number of pipes! I must be mad but it should be worth it in the end. I will be going to the house again to see it is still standing so i will post tomorrow and hope to have more pictures of what remains of the house.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The house has not fallen down!
We visited the house on Friday. Well that despcription could not apply now! They have discovered that the back of the house is built on rock and the front on soil with little foundations if any. So that explains the cracks in the old house. Well now we have to put new foundations in as well as strengthening the first floor. It would be less expensive to knock the whole thing down and start again maybe we should let it fall down. It reminds me of a film called The Money Pit a storey of the restoration of an old house which I think ended up bankrupting the owners…. I hope not!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)