Calderwood Cottage: From Termite Trouble to Transformed Spaces – Part 4

Welcome back to Calderwood Cottage! Our renovation journey, as shared in our previous update, quickly escalated beyond our initial expectations. What began as a hopeful remodel soon unveiled a far more daunting challenge: extensive termite damage. This wasn’t merely a minor inconvenience; it necessitated a complete overhaul of critical structural elements. We found ourselves deep into repairs we never anticipated, committing to a complete restoration and revitalization of our beloved cottage.

The discovery of widespread termite damage forced us to make a tough decision: half of the house required the complete removal of its wood floors and subfloors. It was a disheartening realization, but crucial for ensuring the long-term integrity of the home. Once the full extent of the damage was exposed, our focus shifted entirely to formulating a robust plan for remediation and rebuilding. This wasn’t just about fixing; it was about laying a solid, secure foundation for the future of Calderwood Cottage.

Rebuilding from the Ground Up: Addressing Structural Damage

With the damaged elements carefully removed, our immediate priority was to restore the primary structural components of the floor system. This involved the meticulous replacement of both the main girder and the supporting floor joists. The girder, a critical horizontal support beam, and the numerous floor joists are the backbone of any home’s flooring, ensuring stability and distributing weight evenly. Replacing these elements was painstaking work, requiring precision and careful planning to ensure everything was perfectly level and aligned.

The process of replacing the floor joists often necessitates temporarily jacking up the existing floor structure. This allows for the safe removal of deteriorated joists and the precise installation of new, strong timber. It’s a delicate operation that requires careful measurement and steady hands to maintain the structural integrity of the house throughout the process.

Confronting Further Termite Infestation

Unfortunately, the termite damage wasn’t confined solely to the subfloors. As we delved deeper into the renovation, we continued to uncover more areas compromised by these relentless pests. This meant tearing out even more of the “stinky termite poopy wood,” as we affectionately called it. This phase involved systematically identifying and removing all infested timber, including wall studs, to prevent any further spread and ensure a completely clean slate for rebuilding.

The (Almost) Useless Temporary Wall: A Sisterly Saga

During the reframing of a portion of one of the remaining walls, a minor, yet memorable, disagreement arose between my sister, Julie, and me. I, perhaps overly cautious due to the extensive damage we’d already uncovered, insisted on constructing a temporary support wall directly in front of the section we were cutting out. Julie, ever the pragmatist, rightly pointed out that given the roofline changes and the fact that no significant weight rested on that particular wall, my temporary structure would likely be superfluous.

Despite her logical arguments and several attempts to reassure me, my anxiety about the entire house crashing down prevailed. So, with a shrug and a sigh, Julie helped me build my temporary wall. A few days later, while working in the attic space, the truth finally dawned on me. She was absolutely correct; there was indeed no weight bearing down on my meticulously constructed, utterly useless temporary wall. It was a moment of humbling realization, but also a testament to our bond. Julie, with her characteristic patience, not only helped me build it but also helped me take it down and apart again. Because, as any siblings undertaking a demanding project together will tell you, that’s just what sisters do – we support each other, even through our occasional, unnecessary detours.

Elevating the Space: The Engineered Beam for Open Ceilings

Our next significant undertaking was a key step towards transforming the cottage’s interior aesthetic: the installation of an engineered beam. This substantial structural component was essential to support the roof, allowing us to remove the existing ceiling joists entirely. The goal? To create stunning, vaulted ceilings in key areas, dramatically opening up the space and infusing the cottage with a modern, airy feel. Engineered beams, such as Glulam or LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber), are preferred over traditional solid lumber for such applications due to their superior strength, stability, and ability to span greater distances without intermediate supports. This makes them ideal for achieving the expansive, open-concept designs we envisioned.

We had anticipated this to be one of the heaviest lifts of the entire project. There were four of us on site, mentally and physically preparing for a serious challenge. I was scouting for additional tools, Julie was positioned in the attic space, ready to guide. However, Wes, true to his impatient “just get things done” nature, surprised us all. Before we could fully coordinate our efforts, he single-handedly hoisted the massive engineered beam up into the attic space. It was an impressive feat of strength and determination, underscoring the drive and urgency that often accompany DIY renovations.

Once the beam was safely in the attic, the three of us – Wes, Julie, and I – worked together to precisely maneuver and fix it into its permanent position. It was a moment of triumph when the engineered beam was finally secured, marking a significant milestone in our structural transformation. This robust new support system meant we were ready for the next exciting phase: opening up the ceilings!

The reason for all this effort? Simple: we have no intention of wasting all that beautiful potential space on a cramped, underutilized attic. Our vision for Calderwood Cottage includes maximizing vertical space, enhancing natural light, and creating an expansive, open feel that truly transforms the living experience.

The Dramatic Transformation: Opening Up the Ceilings

While I regret not capturing any photographs of the actual removal of the ceiling joists, the impact of this step was truly dramatic. Once those structural barriers were gone, the entire space immediately felt larger, airier, and filled with incredible potential. The perceived increase in volume and the influx of light were instantaneous, a tangible step towards our open-concept dream. This strategic removal not only creates a more modern aesthetic but also contributes to better air circulation and a heightened sense of spaciousness, which is invaluable in smaller homes.

Our plan for open ceilings isn’t for the entire house. We’re specifically opening up the ceiling in the kitchen and living room areas. This creates a grand, connected social space that flows seamlessly, enhancing the heart of the home. The design choice allows these primary living areas to benefit most from the added vertical space and natural light, truly elevating the home’s overall ambiance.

Future Plans: Loft Space and Layout Redesign

While the front half of the house enjoys the grandeur of vaulted ceilings, the other half of the attic space is being cleverly repurposed. Our plan is to convert this area into a functional and aesthetically pleasing loft space. This will provide additional flexible living area, perfect for a home office, a cozy reading nook, or even an extra sleeping area, truly maximizing every square foot of the cottage.

Following the extensive floor joist replacement, it was also time to rebuild the interior wall that we had to temporarily remove. This wall is critical for delineating spaces and providing structural support where needed, and its reconstruction marks another step forward in solidifying the home’s new layout.

The renovation is far from over. We still have the significant task of tearing out the subfloor in the center section of the house and reframing several walls. This is all part of our ambitious plan to completely reconfigure the cottage’s layout. We’re transforming it from a modest 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom dwelling into a more spacious and functional 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home. This extensive redesign not only modernizes the living spaces but also significantly increases the property’s value and appeal, making it suitable for contemporary family needs.

These complex structural and layout changes will be tackled in our upcoming phases. For now, we’re focused on meticulously “buttoning down” the current structural work, ensuring every element is secure and perfectly prepared for the next wave of transformation.

Beyond the interior, the exterior also demanded attention. We still needed to rebuild the back wall of the house, another victim of the relentless termite appetite. While we were at it, we seized the opportunity to strategically relocate the back door. This subtle but impactful change is part of a larger, exciting plan we have brewing for the outdoor space, but you’ll have to wait until our next update to discover the full details!

Thank you for joining us on this challenging yet rewarding journey to restore and revitalize Calderwood Cottage. Stay tuned for more progress, revelations, and transformation!

Continue following our Calderwood Cottage adventure in the next post: Part 5. Or, catch up on all the previous demolition days and discoveries:

• Calderwood Cottage Demo Days: Part 1
• Calderwood Cottage Demo Days: Part 2
• Calderwood Cottage Demo Days: Part 3