Renovation Project

  • Although from the outside the property looks at first glance to be in reasonable condition a closer inspection revealed that the stone wall built against the embankment had water running through it to the inside of the house when it rained.
  • This house, one of two on the same plot of land is the oldest judging by the interior which has simple wooden partitions and a couple of hundred years of woodworm !
  • It has a layout often found in central Portugal. Animal shelters and stores (loja) on the ground floor and living accommodation above. The house built of local stone is built into a bank of earth on two sides and has a lean two animal shelter at one end.
  • The master bedroom!
  • Following a complete strip out work was started on the new roof as this would shelter workers from the summer sun and stop rain damage to the exposed stone walls.
  • The roof made of scandinavian pine is coloured with micro-porous paint and has been pre-treaded with wood work protection
  • The finished “exposed” roof gives a light airy feel with very good insulation.
  • The finished roof is covered with traditional tiles
  • Here is an early kitchen design. The final design and supplier will be chosen soon.
  • The plaster and years of soot were taken off the internal and external walls to expose the stone and give a good key for the new plaster.
  • Two large stone doorframes were sagging and looked like they would fall out bringing part of the first floor with them.
  • The huge stones were removed re leveled, set plumb and put back in place. The surrounding stone work was strengthened so that the sag was removed from the wall.
  • With the straw removed, we can start making the master bedroom habitable
  • The water-proofing of the walls begins
  • A lean-to ruin is converted into a garage
  • With the gable wall rendered we are ready to start the garage
  • We celebrated the roof being finished with a grilled sardine lunch.
  • The garage is taking shape
  • Almost ready to accept the car.
  • A doorway was cut through to two foot thick stone walls to provide access to a second bedroom. The red painted “T” is to mark the position of the light switch. NB: Creating new doorways and window opening in stone built walls should only be done by professionals. It’s a potentially dangerous work and could affect the stability of your property or cause problems which will be expensive to fix.
  • Vent pipes for the bathroom extractor fans were cut through the stone walls.
  • A perforated cavity drain was used ( the yellow tube) this provides ventilation to the bottom of the new cavity wall and prevents water vapor build up.
  • The existing stone wall has been treated with a 3 stage process to control the damp and water ingress. The vapor tube, cavity and cavity insulation will ensure a dry smell free ground floor .
  • Lime render with the attractive stone arch exposed.
  • Stone door frames level and plumb.
  • Framework for the dining veranda.
  • Built of pressure treated timber the veranda just requires the balustrades to be installed
  • Ancient Door Frame Gets A New Lease Of Life
  • Veranda.
  • Finished Veranda.
  • Plasterboard ceiling.
  • Wooden floor being laid, secret nailed and glued.
  • Bannister and stairs.
  • Pine Door to match the roof.
  • Electrical, water and boiler connections for the kitchen.
  • Dining veranda finished and louvre shutters installed.
  • The car port has a new look, crushed stone on the base and a tongue and grooved boarding roof keeps the car cool in summer.
  • The window stones have been pointed with a coloured cement which will be more highlighted once the house is painted.
  • The arched window now has shutters in aluminium.
  • The arched window provides plenty of light into the bedroom and views across the patio.
  • New front door with one way glass provides light and privacy.
  • The original stone steps have been kept and the keystones pointed around.
  • The house is re rendered on the outside and the gate reinstalled.
  • Hand made pine stairs lead from the bedrooms up to the living areas.
  • Two panel doors are installed to bedrooms and bathrooms.
  • The fitted kitchen is installed with granite worktops fridge freezer, dishwasher, oven, cook top and hood.
  • One of the bathrooms almost finished. The bath panel is tiled.
  • The patio base in laid in crushed stone.
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