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| 30/01/04 |
Light it. Cover it. |
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| Once the lights are sorted it's time for the big cover up. |
OK, so the sockets are in, as is the new pipe-work to the sink, but what about lighting? Well, I think the old strip light is going to have to go. Looks a little out of place in a modern kitchen. Spots are probably the most cost-effective alternative and, with the budget stretched by the cost of the integrated appliances, cost is the key driver! Under cupboard lights also are a good, low cost feature. Simple 30cm strip lights will suffice, as the pelmet will conceal them. I found Screwfix (see side link) to be a great source of both these products and electric cable, switches and sockets. They have a large selection and very keen prices. Four mains-voltage spots in the ceiling will be wired up to the existing lighting wiring. Three under-cupboard strip lights will be wired up separately, so they can be switched on and off independently to the main lights. The spots will be arranged in a line down the centre of the room, with an additional light over the sink, so that users are not working in their own shadow. So there was more wiring to do, before we put the new plasterboard ceiling up. We opted to put the new plasterboard straight over the old. This saves a heck of a lot of mess (ever pulled a ceiling down before?!) and will increase the sound and heat insulating properties of the ceiling, since much of it will be double thickness. With 9-inch roof ceiling joists, the extra weight will not be a structural issue. Before plaster boarding over the old, it was necessary to cut some large holes where the spots will be; the clips that hold most in won't work well with the extra thickness of plasterboard. The new ceiling went up in just about a couple of hours with Becca kindly assisting - mainly using her head for reasons known only to her - with offering up the boards. Where you are struggling or doing this on your own, the best technique I know is to lean some 2x4 timbers against the wall to about an inch short of the ceiling. Wedge something heavy against the foot of them. Lay your board on them and shove it up towards the ceiling. When you reach the top simply lift your end up to the ceiling. If you're lucky enough to have a glamorous assistant, get them to hold the unsupported end while you drive in some screws, otherwise use a timber prop. The ends of the timbers should support the other end of the board. Only the walls need to be made good now before a quick skim over the lot! |
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