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  1. #1
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    Cool Renovating 40yr Thai village house - tips?

    see pics below; my project house
    approx 40 year old
    I'd like to:
    • line some of the interior
    • line the ceiling/roof - it is what appears to be corrugated asbestos roofing, weatherproof but ugly to look at
    • re-stain the exterior
    • add windows
    • re-wire - there's just one power outlet and one light per room, add ceiling fans
    • wall off part of the underneath for secure workshop/storage - it's 2m off the ground, not ideal but I can live with it (at 187 just need to be careful of beams if I build the floor up)
    • modernise the kitchen

    the bathroom/shower/toilet/laundry will be a separate project

    Before I start (April) - sure there are others who've done similar projects, welcome any helpful advice (apart from 'don't do it!')

    thanks





  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by genghis61 View Post
    see pics below; my project house
    approx 40 year old

    I'd like to:
    • line some of the interior
    We used bamboo board which has the advantage of lightening the interior as well as keeping it cleaner
    • line the ceiling/roof - it is what appears to be corrugated asbestos roofing, weatherproof but ugly to look at
    You can use the same board, or use wood as we did. Also, add insulation between the tiles and boarding
    • re-stain the exterior
    • add windows
    make sure any windows are not on the sunny side
    • re-wire - there's just one power outlet and one light per room, add ceiling fans
    obviously, and make sure the old stuff is thrown away, not added to
    • wall off part of the underneath for secure workshop/storage - it's 2m off the ground, not ideal but I can live with it (at 187 just need to be careful of beams if I build the floor up)
    • modernise the kitchen
    strip out totally, line with board and build cabinets. Tile around worksurface, and tile the floor (unless it is wood, just sand it and polyurethane)
    the bathroom/shower/toilet/laundry will be a separate project

    Before I start (April) - sure there are others who've done similar projects, welcome any helpful advice (apart from 'don't do it!')

    thanks



    It is fairly easy and cheap to do most of that work; if your floors are nice wood, have them resanded and oiled, or polyurethaned (not gloss!)

  3. #3
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    Cool

    ^ thanks
    I'll look at bamboo board, good suggestions all round. Will totally renew the wiring and put decent lights in, what's there wouldn't be suitable for upgrading.
    re the floors, they're in excellent condition - don't know when they were last oiled/polished but they have a great shine, actually all the joinery in the place is superb just looking a bit tired.
    hadn't considered the sun/window situation, yes the ones I was keenest to replace are on the sunny side. Noted!

  4. #4
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    From the pics you've posted, the house looks to be in good condition so definitely well worth a refurbish.

    Mostly a lot of elbow grease, join filling and stain on the wood.

    Suggest when you redo the roof, construct a gap of about 50 cm (might be a bit less) between the roof support rafters and what will become a ceiling. The ceiling material can be of whatever you choose (wood, composites or gypsum). This will effectively isolate the roofing structure from the house interior. In this mini attic, you can put insulation and run all the wiring for overhead lighting, fans, etc. Also, all the wiring for plugs with down wiring to plugs and switches. As typical in these older house the interior wiring is exposed. If you want to have all the wiring not visible and still retain the wood look, there are an assortment of wood or PVC wire covers available.

    The ground floor will be easy. Concrete block between the columns where you want a room.

    One caution, use lightweight roofing material/tiles or you may run into structural problems. The roof on the house in the pic is light weight so recommend you replace with same.
    "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect,"

  5. #5
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    I'm looking forward to this topic!! Looks like an excellent thing to undertake, I'm eager to see the results.

    Consider if you really want a ceiling though.. You could re-do the roof, making it higher and add insulation material, but then make it look nice again with some wood. So then you retain a roof shape and spacious interior instead of a lowered ceiling?

  6. #6
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WhiteLotusLane
    You could re-do the roof
    You could but much more expensive. The 50cm I suggested is probably too much. The ceiling need not be much more than the the gap between the wall beam and roof I see in the first picture.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by WhiteLotusLane
    Consider if you really want a ceiling though.. You could re-do the roof, making it higher and add insulation material, but then make it look nice again with some wood. So then you retain a roof shape and spacious interior instead of a lowered ceiling?
    just cladding the roof beams, rather than making a horizontal ceiling, makes a much nicer space

    you should know that Norton, you stayed in a small wooden house like that!

    as for the wiring being hidden etc, that is fairly straightforward in a wooden house like this. The wires can be run on top of beams and behind cladding very easily. Just make sure the electrician knows, otherwise he will put them on show
    I have reported your post

  8. #8
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrAndy
    just cladding the roof beams
    Essentially what I am suggesting but mean cladding the roof rafters. End up with ceiling same slope as roof but have small space for wiring and overhead lights and fans.

  9. #9
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    I'd paint the roof tiles (dark blue-green). Insulate and clad the ceiling. Insulate and sheet-rock the interior walls. Wood battens under the eaves would be nice.

    Cute house.

  10. #10
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    I would give some thought to that asbestos roof.

    If you keep it make absolutely sure that no fibres from that roof can enter the interior of the house. A well built rockwool insulation with aluminum foil at the inside would do that. But do a coating first.

    I would also thoroughly clean the inside from any dust and use a mask doing it (or let somebody do it you don't like).

    If you chose to replace that roof even much more caution is recommended, because that is what would cause most asbestos to be distributed over the whole area. Protect the interior with plastic foil from asbestos entering during the works.

    A sealed and recoated asbestos roof may be the better solution provided it is still in good shape and not brittle.

  11. #11
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    ^
    Why are you assuming that it is blue asbestos ?

  12. #12
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wimpy
    Insulate and sheet-rock the interior walls.
    Works fine and does insulate the interior but if the traditional Thai house look is to be retained then sheet rock will spoil the look. Pretty much up to the OP what he wants the look to be when finished.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thetyim
    Why are you assuming that it is blue asbestos ?
    Most likely it is not asbestos, but kind of a short fibered stuff. on most houses in the lower priced places.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thetyim View Post
    ^
    Why are you assuming that it is blue asbestos ?

    Took it from the OP. Asbestos used to be seen as a good material, better than corrugated steel sheeting. If it looks like asbestos you better treat it as such.

    Anyway my suggestion is not different from the others only with emphasis on the asbestos risk.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by wimpy
    Insulate and sheet-rock the interior walls.
    Works fine and does insulate the interior but if the traditional Thai house look is to be retained then sheet rock will spoil the look. Pretty much up to the OP what he wants the look to be when finished.
    My issue with these old houses is they have too much wood inside. I'd rather have sheet-rock with wood trim to brighten and clean things up inside. The insulation will make a big difference too.

  16. #16
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    .....

  17. #17
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wimpy
    My issue with these old houses is they have too much wood inside.
    I feel the same but up to the folks who live in it. A few years back I refurbished the MiL's old house. She insisted on having the wood so I left the upper floor pretty much all wood but did clad the ceiling and rewire the place. I then built in the ground floor using cement block and plaster ending up with a fairly "modern" look. When it was done the MiL decided it was better than the second floor so spent all her time downstairs.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Nawty did a nice job lining his ceiling with woven bamboo matting.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by wimpy
    My issue with these old houses is they have too much wood inside.
    yes, that's why I suggested bamboo sheets, they lighten the look and suit the wood

    "cool eye" as they say

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrAndy
    yes, that's why I suggested bamboo sheets, they lighten the look and suit the wood "cool eye" as they say
    Absolutely, and cost effective too.

  21. #21
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrAndy
    yes, that's why I suggested bamboo sheets
    They are nice as I would attest after staying in your place.

  22. #22
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    That's a nice looking house JJ. I'm looking forward to seeing you make the improvements as it's something I'd like to do in the future, with a similar type of property.
    Can I ask how much it was, and what you think the refurb costs will be?
    Do not walk beside me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me for I may not follow. Just pretty much leave me the fuck alone!

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jaiyenyen
    That's a nice looking house JJ.
    You got the wrong bloke, mate. See the OP.

  24. #24
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    well you could still make a guess.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackgang
    well you could still make a guess.
    Wouldn't have a clue mate.

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