The upstairs project 2016 (Page 5)

Day two

So yesterday we got quite a bit done, so the next thing was for the ceiling to come down. For this we need to remove the plasterboard on the ceiling without damaging any on the other wall - there's no need to replace it. So the first thing to do was to remove all the lamp-holders/vents/grills/etc. from the ceiling. Like so;



With that done, the next thing was to remove the plasterboard. So I had to score the joints between the ceiling and the wall with a knife. This is to stop the plasterboard from the ceiling damaging the plasterboard on the wall when it comes down, ie. give it a fault-line to break on. I didnt know how successful it was going to be, as these things usually dont work out the way you want. After hour or so, it seem to be worked - none of the plasterboard from the ceiling damaged the plasterboard on the wall. Now with the ceiling down, this exposed the transformers (used for the lighting);



In 2005 we installed 4 banks of lights - 2 in each area (with 12 and 8 lights on them). Both areas are controlled by their own dimmer, so there are two dimmers (each with 2 banks). Area 2 has a standard dimmer (with knobs), whilst Area 1 has a Futronix P100 dimmer. This Futronix dimmer is quite an advance dimmer - allowing you to program it up (via remote control), and control up-to 600w worth of lighting (which was on maximum). Our current plan is to change it so we have just two banks for the whole of upstairs - one bank for area 1, another for area 2. This means that the Futronix dimmer should be able to control the whole of the upstairs, without the need of the standard dimmer (all 20 lights would only be 100w in total). LED lights use only 5w compared to 50w that halogens use to produce a similar amount of light. So potentially this could save quite a lot of money in the long term. I say potentially as you have the initial cost of buying the bulbs/light fittings. We are also thinking about changing them to 240v lights, so the transformers arent required either. We need to make sure the bulbs are dimmable, as you can get non-dimmable and dimmable 240v GU10 LED's.

And finally today (5th June), it was time to remove the fibreglass. I do hate this stuff, as it makes you itchy and shouldnt be breathe in (its bad for your lungs but isnt deadly). So after a quick discussion; we decided that this stuff wasnt going back in and that it was going to be replaced with something better. I know this would cost more money but werent happy with the thought of this stuff going back in.



So now we have the ceiling removed and the side clear of plasterboard and fibreglass. I guess the next thing to do is to start installing one of the new windows? maybe tomorrow? We have to see.. hopefully the weather will be nice 'n sunny (like today).