Metal or Timber Stud-Work in Central Brittany?

Currently I'm “cutting and nailing sticks together", in other words, installing stud-work in an old countryside house 15km away from Pontivy in Central Brittany. The stud-work is not for partitioning but for adding insulation to the interior walls.

(Timber stud-work Central Brittany)

Stud-work is a supportive framework to partition a space into different areas. When made, it’s a good place to hide all the things you wouldn't want to see, like Electricity cabling, Plumbing and anything else which isn't visually desirable.

In old properties, were insulation is required, for example pre-cavity builds this is a good way to insulate the home. However, this isn't desirable if your home has already been furnished and decorated. (Best to at the start of renovating if you've bought yourself a little countryside wreck!)

Stud-work comes in two forms – Metal and Timber. This made me think, why do I always choose timber for studding walls?

(Metal Stud-Work, Walls and Ceilings) 

Personally I Like wood, it costs the same as metal and it’s just as easy to install. I also believe that if you live in a cooler, wet climate, metal stud can condensate and will eventually blow the plaster.

This point about the condensation however is only related specific circumstances. I.E., if it’s installed against a solid stone exterior wall with no cavity. It is possible to overcome this using a thermal bridge, though most builders rarely use this in private residential jobs.

A positive thing with metal stud-work is the minimal tools required for installation. This means very little training is required with regards to those tools. I use metal stud-work for all ceiling work, due to the material being light weight and being very easy to get level.

List of Pros., Cons & Indifference. (In my opinion)

Wood

Pros.

• ·        Plaster boards feel firmer when installed
• ·        The wall doesn’t sound as hollow when taping
• ·        Able to hang heavy pictures or other object on the studs

Cons.

• ·        Heavier material to use
• ·        Requires More tools, which require training.

Metal

Pros.

• ·        Metal is lighter and easier to transport
• ·        Requires minimal tools for installation

Cons.

• ·        Wall sounds tinny and hollow
• ·        Can’t hang anything heavy in the stud
• ·        Potential problems with condensation

On paper, the conclusion would suggest the metal is best, especially if you’re a DIYer. But as a professional builder and a traditionalist, I’d still stick to wood. I personally like to think that something which feels solid is better.

Common tools for both materials:

• ·       Chalk Line Reel
• ·        Tape Measure
• ·        Spirit Level
• ·        Pencil
• ·        Impact driver
• ·        Setsquare

Tools required for Wood (My opinion):

• ·        Mitre saw
• ·        Gas powered first fix nail gun
• ·        Hammer

Tools required for Metal:

• ·        Steel Forge Aviation Tin Snips (I prefer an angle grinder)
• ·        Stud Crimpers (Used for Locking the stud and track together)

Oriental inspired bathroom in the French countryside.

I am capable of doing more than just bathrooms, though I seem to be a magnet regarding building them. This one is a little different. For starters, the client is French, not the usual English crowd inhabiting the local area.

From a build and design point of view, again this project was different due to the French culture, which surfaced during the build and dictated the materials chosen, which effected the form.

My brief before starting was that the house was going to be completely renovated for holiday rentals. As such the rooms are to be themed, bedroom one – traditional boat theme, bedroom two – 70’s theme (Laval laps, bright colours etc.). Different themes to be continue throughout, the bathroom being no exception.

My understanding of the client theming the house is a simple; furnishings costs and providing the holidaymaker with a fun experience when on vacation.

When shopping for home furnishings, the bargain items are usually bright, garish, and usually only chosen for small areas within any given room to create a feel, without being overwhelmed. IE Wallpapering just one wall, having a heavy print, is acceptable. Having it throughout the whole room though maybe a little OTT.

My client has taken advantage of the price reductions of these materials and utilised this to his own benefit. If a wall needs 10m2 of tiles, if it’s the same price for the bargain basement plan white or mock bamboo, I like the adventurous option.

So, back to the bathroom – an Oriental inspired bathroom, dictated by the mock straw and bamboo tiles, which there wasn’t enough to cover the whole wall. As this is a price driven project the only readily available tiles left were pebble. And still there wasn't enough of those either.

(Pebble's, Mock Straw & Red Tiles)

The cultural difference in mentality only surfaced when it came to the shower installation. Now I'm cautious about talking about the comparisons between two cultures, though this is the 21^st century and I've been living in a foreign county for many years, you do become aware of the differences and it’s enlightening when the root decisions become apparent and effect the finished design.

Back to the shower area, I have a saying, KISS - “keep it simple, stupid”.  No matter what shape or style of the bathroom, I like to get the first fix out the way, and then do the ceiling, walls and then floors in that order not unless it’s a wet room design; floor and then wall as I like the wall tile to sit on the floor tile.

Once the room has taken shape, then the bathroom furniture is fitted and you are finished. If a shower is to be installed, I would use shower glass, never would I build a box in the corner of a room and then add a glass door. What would be the point, it cost more and you lose the clean lines of the room.

Example - 

(Clean Lines)

When asked to box the oriental themed bathroom, I was curious to know the reason why?

The Client explained that as it’s for holiday rentals, he wanted something sturdy and unbreakable. The shower head had to be attached to the ceiling, so it couldn’t be touched, the taps set into the wall so it impossible to fiddle with connections, nor having a bar to pull off the wall. I like some of these features, from a design point of view – giving nice clean lines, but building a wall to surround the shower area so no glass could be broken seem to me to be a little excessive. It costs more in materials – Gypsum Block, more tiles and also the hours of work involved. Whereas installing a piece of glass cost very little, take no time at all to install and easy to replace if needed.

(Gypsum Block - Shower Area)

I’m pleased with the finished product; it is not my usual bathroom installation but I am starting to understand that interior design can be dictated by people preconceptions as well a price. Also this is another bathroom which I have completed within 15 days, starting from scratch. (This room wasn’t a bathroom to start off with.)

How long does it take to build a bathroom?

Over the years this question has even been difficult for me to answer, especially as I have to quote a price for any given building job that I’m looking to do.

However, in the last 12 months, I have built all manners of bathrooms in France (Brittany); from small to large, modern to country style, wet-rooms, and some custom designs with audio speakers, coving and Tadelakt walls and floors.

As a rule of thumb, 150 man hours would be a fair answer; this would include the following work to be completed:

 

Gutting out the bathroom suit, and removal of any walls.

Trip to the dump and shopping.

 

Stud work and first fix - Electrics and Plumbing.

 

Drylining and plastering.

 

New Evacs for shower, standard or wet-room style.

 

Installation of under floor heating and floor levelling.

Painting of ceiling and walls

 

 

Tiling floors and walls - English Tiler in Brittany

 

Grouting - Boring, but should look great if done with some love!

 

 

Detailing i.e. - wood panelling

Installing or building of storage spaces.

 

Fixtures & Fittings - Baths, shower screens mixers, sinks toilet, lights, fans etc.

Snagging.

 

As you can see, you either need multiple tradesman, or the skills and tools of many different trade. Amazing to think, when its generally one of the smallest rooms in your home.

• Labourer
• Electrician
• Plumber
• Plasterer
• Painter
• Tiler
• And maybe a Carpenter.

Any questions, email me @: sparrowlegsrenovations@outlook.com