Our fourth day rebuilding the floor at Hotchley Hill, and the centre section is complete!
This week's progress was less of a dramatic change of view than last, but equally important. We finished screwing the floorboards down to the joists, and made all the odd half-width boards to close-up the edges. The timber was given a good coat of anti-rot/anti-woodworm treatment.
Meanwhile, we started preparation for Phase Two: The south end of the floor. This is simpler in that it needs no trimmers, no four-inch-thick beams, and only about half as much material. All the same safety considerations apply, of course, and we'll benefit from having the new central section to stand on while we work.
We had a good look at what we'll be taking out, how to do it - and found yet another inconsistency in the old work. Where most of the old floor is overengineered, one joist is short, and only the final inch of timber is supported. Needless to say, that does not meet modern guidelines, and will be improved-upon!
