JTaylor

The missus and I are a couple of weeks from completion on this:







We're looking to lighten the beams below by restoring them back to the original timber finish.










I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of this. I've done some research around the different techniques and I'm awaiting quotes, but would like to hear from fellow S'netters.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

They look pretty good as they are, why would you want to lighten them? Fab-looking cottage btw

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I'm in the same boat with an oak porch and solid meranti panelled garage door; All painted with umpteen coats of mahogany stain.

I hate mahogany stain - its not even close to mahogany in colour (too red). And after too many coats it all just looks black.

I've not had quotes yet but two options are; Pickling with chemicle stripper or sand/media blasting.

I tested pickling on the shed doors (same problem) and whilst it removed it all to bare wood, the top layer of wood had soaked in the stain, so some of the grain was still overly-dark; I ran out of time sorting it so had to re-stain it before the weather changed - in light oak. Its ok- better than before, but the some of the grain is very dark still and thats just with two coats.

All of the soffits and bargeboards are also affected, I ended up cladding the rear with uPVC to reduce mainatence costs (gets the sun all day so timber needed treating every few years...even with Sikkens), but the front I want to keep teh timber if I can...I may just replace the soffits with new timber as cost wise it maybe cheaper, but I can't do that with the porch or garage doors.

I think sandblasting (or media blasting) may possibly remove the top layer of wood as well, so maybe it would be more effective?

Nice house btw

JTaylor

Thank you! We feel really fortunate to be getting it!

This is the look I'd like to achieve for the ceiling:




Maybe a little darker and with a bit more character, but ultimately we want to lighten the whole room up and go with natural, neutral, wood and stone.

This is the view, for what it's worth:




Really excited!!

JTaylor

Thanks for the compliment, Ali, feel blessed!

Here are my favourite outfits at the moment. Both different techniques:

http://www.beamingrestorations.com

And

http://www.beam-renovation.co.uk/contact/4574245938

Awaiting quotes from these two.

JTaylor

Better picture of the view and the side of the house:






This is a picture of the beach (a mile away) and we'd like to replicate the tones and atmosphere of this:

JTaylor

Maybe more this tone:

hodgy0_2

lovely looking cottage and amazing views

and just something magical about the sea (I miss it if I don't see it for a month or too :-( - it is good for the soul)

anyway I presume the first photos are from the estate agent - and hence show the previous owners taste

which by the looks of the (very dark) furniture and carpets is quite "fussy"

which to me exacerbates the dark feel

I would wait until you strip all that crap out - it may not look as bad as it seems - imo

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

They look like oak? Why make them look like pine?

JTaylor

Thanks, Hodgy and yes they are the agent's photos and as such it is the vendor's taste. They're a nice older couple who are finding the gardening and upkeep a bit much so have decided to move down the road to a house that actually overlooks the beach pictured above. As you say, good for the soul.

There's a castle, too, which I don't have any shots of to hand, but I'll dig one out.

JTaylor

Ogmore Castle and the River Ogmore which runs down past 'our' house.



The village sandwiched between the castle and 'our' home:

JTaylor

I don't wish to do that, I intend to strip them back to their natural state and maybe give them a light oiling to bring out the grain.

hodgy0_2

where you are has a great little micro climate

often sunny when all about is cloudy

I used to windsurf a lot - from Minehead, across the water

any westerly wind (especially with a touch of north in it) was accelerated a couple of forces

so you could windsurf when most of the country was windless

but there was always a square of blue sky above that part of the estuary - we called it the "minehead hole"

even now when I am driving with my family to Cornwall, as we travel south on the M5 I say to the kids

"look the minehead hole" - and it is always blue & sunny

they obviously pay no attention to though :-|

JTaylor

You can see Somerset from Ogmore-by-Sea on a clear day and yes it's often pleasant weather. Where we are now is in a little village half-way up a small mountain and the clouds break right above us. We regularly travel from where we are to Ogmore-by-Sea for a pint and a bite to eat in The Pelican and are quite surprised at the stark contrast in the weather.

JTaylor

Our new local which overlooks the castle.

http://www.pelicanpub.co.uk/thepelicanpub-og.html

hodgy0_2

looks like a cracking local,

rare these days and always boost local house prices

donny andi

iTrader: (3)

Stunning place buddy , really nice

JTaylor

The Pelican Pie is something to behold and their guest ales are lovely!

Thanks, Andi.

JTaylor

Beaming Restorations want £1500 plus the vat.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

That doesn't surprise me.

I think whatever method 85% of the cost is going to be labour...how many people, and how many hours involved?

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Stunning property, and that is one fat pig!

Sorry, no help with the beams though.

scoobygaz1

iTrader: (3)

I used this at work and find it pretty good http://peelaway.co.uk/ there are different grades for different finishe types.

JTaylor

I've emailed them back asking for a breakdown of the costs.

Yes, the pig's a whopper! Reminds me of Old Major from Animal Farm. Thanks for the kind words.



Thanks, Gaz, will have a look. What's your trade if you don't mind me asking?

Dirk Diggler 75

Nice place you got in a stunning location ......

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

To do this well would you not need to do all the internal timber - beams, door frames, doors etc to bring them all back to the same colour?

JTaylor

Yes, but I understand they can be dipped whereas the beams are structural and have to remain in situ.

JTaylor

Thanks, Dirk.

hodgy0_2

Seriously JTaylor I would wait - impose your own style/personality on the property first off

Then see what's what

Maybe the beams need lightening but maybe not

JTaylor

Sure, there's no rush I guess.

scoobygaz1

iTrader: (3)

Hi I been in the building game for 29 years and for the last 7 maintaining a grade 1 listed Manor House