We are really happy with how the downstairs bathroom turned out. It is a half bathroom - just a toilet and a hand washbasin. It is under the stairs and we were never really sure that it would be possible to fit a bathroom under the stairs. Happily this was one aspect of the design that the architect was confident about and we're pleased we followed his advice.
Half Bathroom Design
Of course, it's still small - about 1.1m wide and 1.5m long. Unbelievably this turned out to be big enough even to have the door open to the inside so that it wouldn't obstruct the downstairs living space.
We had the same problem with the wash basin here as we did in the main bathroom - how to mount it.
Washbasin Mounting
The constructor convinced us that he had a solution. And it turned out ok, although this little countertop looks a little contrived or artificial. The reason for the strange shape is that we had bought a faucet that needed to be mounted in a way that gave us access to the tap, to be able to turn it.
Anyways, it turned out fine.
And most importantly when I stand up after doing my business I don't bang my head on the underside of the staircase.
Learn about building a house in Costa Rica from Jon and Caro's project in the southern region with pictures of the process and a description of each step.
29 Sept 2011
Upstairs bathroom fittings
The question with the bathroom is which of the fittings to do using poored concrete or block and which to do using furniture made from other materials, most obviously wood.
The constructor took most of the decisions about which fittings to build using concrete (his responsibility) and which to leave (someone else's problem). I tried to influence him but with only limited success and in general I think he made sensible choices.
By the way the bathroom floor is made from stone tiles bought locally and treated with a sealent to make them less porous. As with the clay tiles downstairs I think they could have used an extra coat of the sealant.
Bathtub
It seems like a really good idea to build the supporting structure for the bath using concrete - it is really sturdy. The only downside (if it can be called that) is that there is no way to get at the plumbing under the bath. Maybe some kind of access panel could have been designed in. I'm not sure how important it is.
Washbasin
It was harder to know what the best design for the wash basin was. The basin we had bought was designed to sit within a hole created specifically for the purpose. This hole could have been made in either a wooden or concrete countertop.
If it had been up to the constructor / contractor I think we would have ended up with a wooden countertop. But we didn't like the idea because wood, when it gets wet tends to go mouldy if it doesn't get dried immediately and where we are nothing dries ever so concrete makes more sense.
In the photo you can see the way the basin sinks below the level of the countertop. For $100 we got a carpenter to make a small piece of furniture to fit underneath with a shelf and doors to hide the pipework.
The constructor took most of the decisions about which fittings to build using concrete (his responsibility) and which to leave (someone else's problem). I tried to influence him but with only limited success and in general I think he made sensible choices.
By the way the bathroom floor is made from stone tiles bought locally and treated with a sealent to make them less porous. As with the clay tiles downstairs I think they could have used an extra coat of the sealant.
Bathtub
It seems like a really good idea to build the supporting structure for the bath using concrete - it is really sturdy. The only downside (if it can be called that) is that there is no way to get at the plumbing under the bath. Maybe some kind of access panel could have been designed in. I'm not sure how important it is.
Washbasin
It was harder to know what the best design for the wash basin was. The basin we had bought was designed to sit within a hole created specifically for the purpose. This hole could have been made in either a wooden or concrete countertop.
If it had been up to the constructor / contractor I think we would have ended up with a wooden countertop. But we didn't like the idea because wood, when it gets wet tends to go mouldy if it doesn't get dried immediately and where we are nothing dries ever so concrete makes more sense.
In the photo you can see the way the basin sinks below the level of the countertop. For $100 we got a carpenter to make a small piece of furniture to fit underneath with a shelf and doors to hide the pipework.
28 Sept 2011
Interior walls upstairs
Finished wall upstairs, made from plasterboard with a metal (aluminum?) structure. I think at one stage the builder would have liked these walls to be concrete block like the downstairs walls. I am no sure why I think that or why he would prefer it.
Perhaps they would be stronger and provide better sound insulation. Concrete is better (although not easier) to drill into than plasterboard / gypsum (or is it gipsum? Or gyprock? I'm still not sure what the difference is, if any) as long as you don't mind using wall plugs.
Perhaps they would be stronger and provide better sound insulation. Concrete is better (although not easier) to drill into than plasterboard / gypsum (or is it gipsum? Or gyprock? I'm still not sure what the difference is, if any) as long as you don't mind using wall plugs.
The builder started by the clay tiles on the outside terrace. The terrace is a few centimeters (5-10)below the level of the inside spaces, which acts as a way to indicate the difference between inside and outside (i.e. take off your shoes please) but also means water is less likely to ever get inside if it rains really heavily (which it can).
It could be important to take into consideration the thickness of the floor finish you are planning to use fairly early on in the design process so that you can achieve any desired effects. For example, we could not use a particular clay tile we liked on the stairs because it was too thick.
24 Sept 2011
Painted house and floor tiles
The floor tiles have arrived. We looked around a few places for clay tiles and were going to buy them ourselves but decided in the end that it was better that the constructor buy them - he could then make sure they arrived when he needed them and probably get a better price too.
Second time lucky with kitchen sink
Much happier with the size, shape and layout of this kitchen sink and draining boards. Although we've still ended up with a bit of funny space in the corner. But is there any kitchen anywhere in the world that doesn't have a funny space in at least one corner? I don't believe there is no matter what you tell me.
The big debate was whether to have two draining boards or two sinks. I think two draining boards has worked out quite well because we end up with less standing water on the kitchen surfaces. Probably Caro would disagree.
The big debate was whether to have two draining boards or two sinks. I think two draining boards has worked out quite well because we end up with less standing water on the kitchen surfaces. Probably Caro would disagree.
Sheet metal, insulation and ceiling
Not the greatest photos these but time ran out a long time ago to worry about this; sheet metal on top of insulation on top of plasterboard type stuff.
Labels:
constructor,
gutters,
insulation,
roof
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