ᐅ Partial Renovation of an End-Terrace House Built in 2002 – Experiences?
Created on: 3 Nov 2024 20:28
G
galois77Dear building experts,
We own an end-of-terrace house built in 2002 (about 130 m² (1,400 sq ft); basement + 3 floors; still using the original gas heating system; no photovoltaic panels, which according to the local energy advisor is due to the limited roof space because of the dormer). We have two small children, which is why we have not renovated the kitchen so far, but this will soon become necessary. This is also prompting us to consider further (partial) renovations. I will list the thoughts we have had so far in this context:
1) When the kitchen is removed, this would be THE opportunity to replace the no longer (so) attractive tiles (my wife likes them more, but I definitely don’t). The same tiles are in the hallway, so those would be replaced at the same time. Or am I mistaken, and it would be perfectly fine to replace the tiles a few years later, after the new kitchen is already installed?
2) If we decide to replace the tiles, another decision arises: Considering the age of our gas heating system, it is reasonable to assume that it has already passed its midlife. The future option will naturally be a heat pump (whether combined with some or no photovoltaic panels would have to be determined, but as far as I can judge today, alternative heating solutions other than a heat pump do not make much sense for us. So far, we have had a relatively low to medium gas demand). Therefore, the question is: Does it make sense to consider upgrading to underfloor heating at the same time as the potential tile replacement (if this proves sensible from a thermal perspective — I obviously don’t expect expert advice on this from afar!)? What I mean is: If you install underfloor heating, wouldn’t it make sense to do it while the kitchen floor is already open, or am I wrong here as well? Also, I would never consider replacing a (well-) functioning and maintained gas heating system without a good reason right now. So the question is also whether an early installation of underfloor heating (now, while the floor is open anyway) is even sensible.
3) If the answer to 1) and 2) is yes, then this would apply to the whole house, meaning underfloor heating would also be installed in other rooms, and the floors would be replaced at the same time (taking out laminate, probably installing hardwood flooring).
4) In addition, we would like to have a non-load-bearing wall between the kitchen and living room removed to create an open-plan living-dining area. I would appreciate any opinions, advice, or warnings related to this, if you have any immediate thoughts.
Professionally, I am as far from craftsmanship as the North Pole is from the South Pole, so I welcome encouragement or warnings from you experts. But please don’t overly criticize my possibly naive ideas with your technical knowledge. We are still at the very beginning of our considerations and currently trying to figure out the best sequence of works and, above all, whether we are completely off track with our initial thoughts or heading in the right direction.
Many thanks for your feedback!
We own an end-of-terrace house built in 2002 (about 130 m² (1,400 sq ft); basement + 3 floors; still using the original gas heating system; no photovoltaic panels, which according to the local energy advisor is due to the limited roof space because of the dormer). We have two small children, which is why we have not renovated the kitchen so far, but this will soon become necessary. This is also prompting us to consider further (partial) renovations. I will list the thoughts we have had so far in this context:
1) When the kitchen is removed, this would be THE opportunity to replace the no longer (so) attractive tiles (my wife likes them more, but I definitely don’t). The same tiles are in the hallway, so those would be replaced at the same time. Or am I mistaken, and it would be perfectly fine to replace the tiles a few years later, after the new kitchen is already installed?
2) If we decide to replace the tiles, another decision arises: Considering the age of our gas heating system, it is reasonable to assume that it has already passed its midlife. The future option will naturally be a heat pump (whether combined with some or no photovoltaic panels would have to be determined, but as far as I can judge today, alternative heating solutions other than a heat pump do not make much sense for us. So far, we have had a relatively low to medium gas demand). Therefore, the question is: Does it make sense to consider upgrading to underfloor heating at the same time as the potential tile replacement (if this proves sensible from a thermal perspective — I obviously don’t expect expert advice on this from afar!)? What I mean is: If you install underfloor heating, wouldn’t it make sense to do it while the kitchen floor is already open, or am I wrong here as well? Also, I would never consider replacing a (well-) functioning and maintained gas heating system without a good reason right now. So the question is also whether an early installation of underfloor heating (now, while the floor is open anyway) is even sensible.
3) If the answer to 1) and 2) is yes, then this would apply to the whole house, meaning underfloor heating would also be installed in other rooms, and the floors would be replaced at the same time (taking out laminate, probably installing hardwood flooring).
4) In addition, we would like to have a non-load-bearing wall between the kitchen and living room removed to create an open-plan living-dining area. I would appreciate any opinions, advice, or warnings related to this, if you have any immediate thoughts.
Professionally, I am as far from craftsmanship as the North Pole is from the South Pole, so I welcome encouragement or warnings from you experts. But please don’t overly criticize my possibly naive ideas with your technical knowledge. We are still at the very beginning of our considerations and currently trying to figure out the best sequence of works and, above all, whether we are completely off track with our initial thoughts or heading in the right direction.
Many thanks for your feedback!
T
Teimo19883 Nov 2024 21:00Everything is possible. I just see the problem that you probably want to live in the house during the renovation. Retrofitting underfloor heating means either milling the screed or installing a new screed and insulation. And that throughout the entire house, which is really only feasible if the house is unoccupied. There will be an extreme amount of dust and dirt.
Even removing tiles on the ground floor will create a lot of dust. But it’s manageable if you live on the upper floor during that time.
If you’re not moving out during the renovation, I would recommend giving up on the underfloor heating.
Even removing tiles on the ground floor will create a lot of dust. But it’s manageable if you live on the upper floor during that time.
If you’re not moving out during the renovation, I would recommend giving up on the underfloor heating.
Teimo1988 schrieb:
that you probably want to live in the house during the renovation.I have thought about that as well. Or renting a holiday apartment for a reasonable flat rate during that period. Underfloor heating also makes sense with gas.
However, you could also replace just the floor covering up to the new kitchen, stopping beneath the kitchen plinth. But that would be pointless if you plan to switch to underfloor heating anyway.
B
Buchsbaum0663 Nov 2024 21:23As is often the case, the question is very vague. There is simply not enough information to provide an answer.
In addition, you don’t have a plan.
Either the best solution is for you to study the matter and create your own plan. That way, you have full control.
Or you need to outsource the planning. This is less ideal because you might be convinced to take unnecessary measures.
I would get a heating specialist to take a look—maybe even two or three different ones.
Otherwise, your existing gas heating system provides an affordable and reliable source of warmth. Just keep it running.
Constant changes will only drain your finances.
In addition, you don’t have a plan.
Either the best solution is for you to study the matter and create your own plan. That way, you have full control.
Or you need to outsource the planning. This is less ideal because you might be convinced to take unnecessary measures.
I would get a heating specialist to take a look—maybe even two or three different ones.
Otherwise, your existing gas heating system provides an affordable and reliable source of warmth. Just keep it running.
Constant changes will only drain your finances.
Thank you for the responses. @Buchsbaum066, I agree with you. That’s why we’re starting to make our own plan.
To clarify again: I would NEVER replace the working gas boiler. However, the kitchen needs to be renovated since we used it for a long time and postponed replacing it while the children were very young (anyone with kids knows why). When replacing the kitchen, the question arose whether we should also update or at least prepare the rest of the system at the same time. The key question is whether our current radiators would work well with an air-to-water heat pump, that is, without underfloor heating. I can imagine that’s possible, but this will be professionally checked. If that’s the case, then the issue of underfloor heating would become irrelevant.
To clarify again: I would NEVER replace the working gas boiler. However, the kitchen needs to be renovated since we used it for a long time and postponed replacing it while the children were very young (anyone with kids knows why). When replacing the kitchen, the question arose whether we should also update or at least prepare the rest of the system at the same time. The key question is whether our current radiators would work well with an air-to-water heat pump, that is, without underfloor heating. I can imagine that’s possible, but this will be professionally checked. If that’s the case, then the issue of underfloor heating would become irrelevant.
galois77 schrieb:
We own an end-of-terrace house built in 2002 (about 130 sqm (1400 sq ft); basement + 3 floors; [...] We have two small children, which is why we haven’t renovated the kitchen so far, but it will now soon be necessary. [...] 1) When you take out the kitchen, that’s the perfect opportunity to replace the no longer (so) attractive tiles (my wife still likes them, but I really don’t anymore ;-) ). We have the same tiles in the hallway, so those would be replaced there as well. Who is the head of the kitchen—the wife or you? I guess that question is settled. So the matching tiles in the kitchen and hallway will (finally?) no longer be a coordinated look. I would plan with the horizon of moving house around the time the children finish school/get their driver’s license/complete training.
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