The big day had arrived. The team from Green Building Store were coming to install our large sliding window/door on the first floor. There were so many unknowns and potential issues that it was quite a nerve wracking day. We were worried that the surface we had provided would not be smooth enough for the window lifting machine. But this worked ok. The team had a practice with the machine, lowering the temporary windows we had installed in the hoarding. It had a bit of wobble and the arm was stretched at its maximum so it wasn't ideal. The frame was taken up the stairs in bits and assembled on the first floor. The three window panels were lifted up one at a time. We had got the height measurements of the opening perfect which was good news. The side measurements on the hand were a bit tight since we had plastered the dormer cheeks. But the team got the window in. The aluminium sill they provided looked naff on the first floor. They are usually fitted on a ground floor. We opted not...

 We had agreed with the window surveyor that we were going to create a sill with 25mm plywood and lead. The amazing Tod was the brains behind this bit. He drew up a plan initially so we could show the window surveyor and also did the lead welding. We used code 5 lead as this was quite a large area to cover and needed a higher quality lead if it wasn't going to crack. We used 5 pieces and joined them with a seam. This did mean that it wasn't a completely flat base for the window and the installers would require packers.  We were very pleased with the outcome.

Before the window install we needed to put the steel bar that was going to hold the juliet balcony in place. Kieith Collier measured the spacing of the joists where the balcony was going (middle window section) and manufactured the steel with fins that attach to each joist with a thermal isolation pad (Farrat TBK) to stop heat transfer. We also gave him the juliet balcony support rail so he could put the bolt holes in the correct place. The steelwork was then galvanised. Also, Keith informed us, that because of the galvanisation process the balcony support which is aluminium, would need to be separated with some damp proof membrane as aluminium and galvanised steel don't do well together.

 We ordered the driveway gates from Gates Near Me in Fowlmere. I think there was about a 12 week lead time. I painted them in Sikkens Cetol HLS base coat (3 coats) and Sikkens Filter 7 plus top coat (2 coats) as recommended (breathable and UV filter). They weren't easy to install as they had to open up onto a sloping driveway. We added in a Suffolk latch. All the gate furniture came from BJ Waller up the road in Stretham.

 We installed an airtight loft hatch: the Dolle Clickfix Pro   which seemed to have great reviews and was cheaper than the other well known Wellhofer attic hatch and looked very similar. In hindsight we should have installed the frame before plastering. We will now have to make good and ensure airtightness right up to the frame before putting on the architrave around the hatch. Once we had got the frame square it was fairly installing the ladder and the instructions were straight forward.

  You can see why they say that plastering is the glory trade. The walls look so clean and fresh after the skim has gone on. It does create a huge amount of dust and dirt though! Highly recommend Adam Russell and his dad Nigel. They have experience of ensuring airtightness too.