Dec 12, 2018: Back on Russell Island

Our PHEV back at our house building project on Russell Island.

Our PHEV back at our house building project on Russell Island.

I made it back to Russell Island about two weeks ago to finish building the house we started in July (see previous Newsletters for previous project updates). On the first trip we managed to get the house almost ready for gyprock. The only thing left to do was to install the insulation which was my first job for this trip.

I like to use Knauf ‘Earthwool’ insulation (sold at Bunnings). It’s a 100% recycled glass product which doesn’t make me itch or cough nearly as much as standard pink or yellow fibreglass batts. In the Southern Highlands (where the Greeny Flat is located) I would use R2.5 batts in the walls and at least R4 batts in the ceiling. But up here the climate is much milder so we’re just using R2 batts in both the walls and ceilings (plus the R1.8 anticon blanket under the roof metal).

Here’s how the insulation looked before the gyprock went up. You’ll notice that each stud cavity is completely filled and there are no gaps, cracks or folds. Compare this to the typical insulation job you might see an any Australian building site which I wrote about in this Newlsetter post back in 2016. Unfortunately insulation is not inspected in Australia so it is up to the builder to self-certify that the installation is done properly. In my experience, it seldom is.

Insulation in place before gyprock is hung.

Insulation in place before gyprock is hung.

On Monday this week the plasterers started hanging the gyprock and today they finished the last coat of plaster. That’s a pretty impressive achievement for just one tradie and one apprentice.

Gyprock hung and plasterers hard at work.

Gyprock hung and plasterers hard at work.

I always enjoy the gyprocking stage of a building project. It suddenly transforms the place from the skeleton of a house to something that resembles the finished product.

Tomorrow I’ll be heading over to the big island to get some materials and pick Cintia up from Brisbane airport. Then we’ll be spending Christmas painting and installing the skirting boards and architraves.

Best wishes for the festive season and thanks for reading.

Andy.

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