project moving forwards at a pace.
The couple also found it was well worth
using an independent building inspector, CPR
of Stoke-on-Trent, who acted on the local
authority’s behalf and made the process much
more fluid.
While there were no unexpected structural
issues to be addressed, this area of Cheshire is
known for its salt mines, and the local authority
can offer payment for repairs for building
movement caused by salt-related subsidence.
However, the cracks in the barn wall were
not deemed caused by this – even though it
was the same authority that insisted on the raft
foundation and floating floor to counter future
issues with salt-related subsidence – so Jodie
and Mark were unable to take advantage of
the funding.
Although glazing dominates the rear
elevation, Cheshire brick, reclaimed from
parts of the original cottage, was used on
the extension, connecting further the old and
the new.
As Mark works in procurement, his
experience proved to be invaluable. When it
came to sourcing the windows and doors he
used an array of manufacturers. “To get the
exact products we wanted we went with
several firms – we chose aluminium as that
allowed the frames to be slimmer,” he says.
The bi-fold doors were bought from Sterling in
Warrington.
“We had great advice from one company,
who recommended that we had the anthracitegrey on the outside so the exterior glazing was
all the same colour, but white on the inside in
the old cottage part,” he continues. “We also
ensured that for satisfactory sightlines there
were the same number of glazing panels
downstairs as on the window above – this
made for a pleasing symmetry when looking at
the property from the outside.”
As with any new build or refurbishmentHIGH POINT
“The feeling that it was all
coming together when
the windows were
installed.”
–Jodie Nesbitt-Shaw & Mark Shaw
september/october 2019 http://www.sbhonline.co.uk 73