Artisan Anguish: Escape to a French Fishing Port - 3

The third of a series of videos about restoring a French townhouse and improving its energy performance.
After a wet Breton winter, spring has finally arrived in the little grey fishing port I have chosen to live in.
Work continues on the house, insulating the roof space and opening up old windows to provide a view of the sea.
MUSIC
Moments Passing By - Wendy Marcini
Easy Now - Melanie Bell
both from Epidemic Sound
www.epidemicsound.com

[@byronbarker6860]

I subscribe to many 'channels' of differing content and I enjoy each one for various reasons. But when I'm in a relax and nostalgic mood I always turn to your videos Roger. The news ones and the ones I've watched many times over. We have so much in common, dinghy sailing, adventure, design and architecture and practical projects. I also enjoy working mostly alone on my projects - but seeing you at the end of the video, sitting alone, made me a bit sad. I hope you have enough company when you want or need it. I'm sure you do - who wouldn't want to be in your company, I know that I would enjoy it very much. Thank you for another honest, light and lovely video.

[@torisaengilbert8400]

Glad to see your videos again. I was afraid you had retired. Like me 😅

[@marcos7106]

Thank you for taking the time to make this. It is always appreciated.

[@paulersboll7903]

We have a home built in 1890 I fully endorse the idea of the wall system being able to breathe. Our house would not be here if it was wrapped in plastic. I am a long term viewer and appreciate all your videos All the best

[@karls6802]

Good to see you back, you’ve been missed. I thoroughly enjoyed these videos on upgrading your 1890 house. I especially like that you take the time explain your thinking and the hows and whys for doing it. Hearing about the French way to approach building (or not) is fascinating as well. I have to add the lovely walks around the town with stops at outdoor cafes is wonderful and gives me/us a betters “feel or sense” of the place. Thank you for sharing.

[@darrenrichards4840]

After the winter break I was concerned that you'd had a midlife crisis and we'd see you racing along the french coast in a Scarab power boat wearing a peach suit with the arms rolled up. Its wonderful to see you back on here and I look forward to your sublime videos that will no doubt follow in 2024.

[@RogerRoving]

I started to have a midlife crisis at about 25 years old. I may be leaving it now...

[@m1kalD]

I'm so impressed Roger...... An Architect that can build as well..... that was a snug cut on the framing at the window.... it sat there while you screwed it in..... I really appreciate your thoughtfulness in the many things you do. Thank you for the video.....

[@graeme-sailingskeptic]

It's nice to catch up on the renovations - but I am certainly looking forward to some more French coastal sailing.

[@robertseaman2254]

Iam full of admiration of you roger ,its really so good to see you back its been a long cold damp winter ,its so interesting to watch as almost as the sailing videos and such a worth while project i wish you all the best on that and look forward to that and sailing videos ,it always have a good feel fact watching them.robert.

[@leedunham5997]

I look forward to your videos like sharing a beer with an old friend. And besides the sheer enjoyment of watching them there’s always something new to learn. Many thanks

[@chrisphar2305]

I have spent all winter being inspired by your beautiful and relaxing videos. And now you're back! Two days before my mirror arrives 😃 Thank you Poseidon

[@josephmansfield2875]

Great to see you again Roger. A labour of love. Best of luck

[@ruudsmith3836]

enjoyed the venture. I'd be happy to see more of your renovation, as well as ambient views of the house from sitting in chair perspective. lots of interesting details inside and out of this dwelling.

[@inseltom3906]

Very interesting, we installed wall heating in our old house (like underfloor heating) to shift the dew point and are very happy with it.

[@pshearduk]

A lovely video Roger, loving all the architecture / architect decisions you must make. Ending with a nice well earned cold ale!

[@OldBlindDougArtist]

It was nice to see a video of your work on your house. Thank you.

[@neilhenderson5782]

Building your next boat will be easy after all this Roger, just think of all the skills you re acquiring! Mind you I think you will be glad when it is finished - will be a lovely house. It's autumn in Australia so we have plummeted to 23 degrees during the day - glorious blue skies. Look forward to the next video.

[@terencefield3204]

Hello Roger, I have missed your videos, so I am very pleased you are back! Foul winter in Normandy, home your weather has been a touch better. now to watch your video!

[@marcellucassen8033]

No, you are not overthinking it, you are thinking about it and are doing just fine! Love to see how you do 'things' whether it is managing a boat or building a home. 👍

[@Cammboz]

Hi Roger, I’m very much enjoying your house videos…..thank you. It would be very interesting to hear about what you have had to do for planning and building control along with any other bureaucracy you have encountered, would be fascinating :-)

[@ArthurPopeye]

It's funny, I'm a French living in England and I moan about the English and their way of doing things the same way as you do with the French 🤣. But... we have more freedom sailing in British waters so it's not so bad! (and for you there are free slipways everywhere in France!) Thanks for sharing this interesting approach to insulating old buildings.

[@jasonstork9606]

Your idea of keeping the electrical cabling out of the insulation is a good idea. It means you get a better current rating from the cables and you can repair or replace or modify in the future much easier.

[@rmcnabb]

Lovely house. I wish more American builders had some idea of the importance of breathability in homes - lime plaster and lime paint are fantastic materials on so many levels. Wrongly they're seen only as something you use for historic preservation.

[@PaPawsWorkShop]

I was just wondering why I had been missing your videos or if I had been unsubscribed. Thanks for the update🙂

[@RogerRoving]

I've been distracted by writing a book!

[@pnwesty7174]

I adore these house videos for so many reasons. Merci beaucoup.

[@Gary-wb8qt]

Book, The Great Explorers .... Thames & Hudson Includes some sailing as with Christopher Columbus. Good with history.

[@DanSathmar]

Big fan ! Greetings from Germany ! 🇩🇪

[@sbgroen]

I cannot wait to see the finished product, but the journey to it is fun too. Thanks for sharing it. I'm sure your neighbors think you're the quite mad English architect at this point. It could be that in a decade all of them will have followed your lead :) Cheers!

[@anthonyhulse1248]

Great to see another video from Roger!

[@tomcarr1358]

Thoroughly absorbing. Interesting solutions to old problems. Onset of new sailing season may extend completion date somewhat.

[@gordtemple764]

Good work 🍻🇨🇦👨🏻‍🏭

[@rockykoast7065]

I'm enjoying your house renovation videos, not least because I'm seriously looking to get a late foothold on the property ladder with pretty meagre savings from my pension. I don't think I'll get much for 8000€ 😬 allowing up to 3000 on top of that for notaire fees...🤔. So I'm following carefully how you've tackled the insulation question, having seen how wet-rot, dry rot can get into the spaces created by plaster-boarding or timber cladding..

[@psocretes8183]

As an officially certified Old Fart retired carpenter I agree with your damp theories. Nice to see you again.

[@ingmarhornke3009]

So happy seeing you again! Thank you for taking time for our update on your forthcoming in Douarnanez! Wish you all the best!

[@jonathanlewis1352]

Compliments. You’ll have a lovely home in a short while. You have more stamina and patience than I. P.S. Those fish and chips looked scrumptious.

[@fredbustin3788]

No sailing but very interesting. I was wondering how your new residence was coming along. Glad to hear from you!

[@jean-claudefaublase999]

I am so pleased now.. being "dans le sillage" d' Avel dro.. A nice way of life !

[@aljo54]

Very interesting as always Roger. I must say that as a UK state pensioner living in an old French house, the cost of hiring French artisans is almost prohibitive! Getting quotes is always a game as well. At least that way the artisans 'self select'. Your house will be a joy when it's finished.

[@user-ho9cz9lo9f]

Gto see whats going on for you Rodger. All the best from a fellow contry man just moved to Latvia.

[@aaronharris5275]

Thanks Roger, always enjoy hearing your tales of renovation, architecture and everything happening in your French lifestyle.

[@andersholmstrom3571]

Interesting update. I have often thaught about your project and wondered how you were getting on with it.

[@bobfellows5758]

Thanks roger. Your posts make me feel warm and fuzzy. What a great story you are.

[@amilton2128]

Those Manhattan iron riveters, named the Skywalkers, were mostly Mohawks from both US and Canada. They are still in high demand today (no pun intended)

[@whyisthissuddenlyathing]

Glad to see you 're still about Roger! I was worried for a while

[@maryjomagar7154]

Hello again from the dry Southwestern U.S.! I love your videos so much, beyond any words to express. This video is most precious for being so long awaited! Wishing you the Very Best of Everything in your journey toward completion of your home!

[@n11743]

Thank-you! I'm sitting in an old house in Abruzzo doing a similar renovation. But at the same time thinking of my Tech Dingy waiting for my return to Wisconsin. I greatly enjoy your videos...

[@Lookup2Wakeup]

Enjoying your renovation videos. I have a 200 year old cottage in Devon with solid walls, so some of this is applicable to my property.

[@peterwynn4088]

Normally I'm all for solid wood but actually I like OSB; its honest stuff, and such an efficient use of a tree. I like the look of it, too.

[@kenyeresgellert]

Looks great!

[@benmills7407]

🎉🎉🎉 so glad to see a new video from you, and your house renovation videos are really interesting as there’s not much on naturally insulating old buildings in such a good way around

[@rickwhitehouse]

Thank you Roger. Was getting a bit worried about you. Now I can see why you have been a bit absent. I am sure it will be beautiful when it is finished. For your mental health and ours, a break for a relaxing sailing video would be wonderful.

[@KenDay]

Beautiful! Thank you

[@anthonymcnamara4002]

I always look forward to your videos Roger, a real treat. Thank you for your efforts.

[@S_Edward_Burns_ArtsEditor]

Carry'n on.

[@danielculpepper8772]

Love the building update!!

[@joewilliams5396]

Nice to see it coming along.

[@philip-ur3qj]

What a wonderful episode Roger . Nice to get that living space complete soon to enjoy along with some great sailing . Greetings from Ireland .

[@MrBrianc1975]

Great video Roger. Good to see the progress, its looking good.

[@jamesjakubik4428]

I like these videos as much as the sailing videos. Good job.

[@trencnchadam]

good to see you back.

[@markdelawarr4189]

Hey Rog, from Australia, renovating old houses, I have taken 30 years and still not finished and mine is only 150 years old. Love ya vids keep em Rollin.

[@robinengland5799]

Beautiful work, I am sure it will be an amazing home when you are finished. Glad you are making videos again! Cheers

[@jamshedsethna3428]

Great to see you are ok and all the works Roger.

[@winmosser]

Excellent we built a house in Canada with many of these concepts around accommodating imperfect seals and isolating the plumbing/electrical from the thermal system. It works.

[@ja1a100]

Thank god, Rodger is back! Now I can turn the volume down and relax for a while.

[@tomcherry6168]

I really like your duct solution, very practical but also I think it will be visually pleasing.

[@janheld8316]

Welcome back Roger. Good to see you. Love your house

[@user-pz4qq7qz8t]

Wet on wet helps 👍🏻spray a little water one the walls before applying the render Roger ! Good luck 🤞🏻

[@gaetanroudaut6155]

Un plaisir de vous revoir pret pour un coup de main

[@clydelindsay6657]

Thank you Roger. I like your videos and I am enjoying your book. I look forward to seeing your home when it is done.

[@elliowb2]

Glad to see that you've made so much progress over the winter. We are considering a similar move.

[@branni6538]

Your sailing videos are inspirational Roger! I purchased your book too! Thank you!

[@nyshkominternational7085]

Great pleasure to watch. Your home will be wonderful, I am sure. Good to see you taking some care; one never knows when a mishap may occur. Best wishes for the rest of the project.

[@michaelfk2548]

Big thumbs up !

[@kabuti2839]

That is an intriguing place to occupy yourself with there.

[@paulthew2]

Another Roger Barnes video is always a joyous moment. Great, as always. (You'll be happy to know that I listen to you through a lovely Hi-Fi, and the music sounds fantastic...you choose great songs!)

[@Ameland50]

Can't wait for thenext episode!

[@andrewrobb633]

Just when I was thinking it had been a while you release a new video. I think I am part way through my sixth reading of your book by the way. Really though I think I have lost count of how many times I have read it. The way you write is a joy to read.

[@davelawrence6777]

Thanks for the post

[@danielheistg9385]

Love all your videos Roger [ and my inner cheeky rascal wants to say "but will it float? ] Now have to watch 1 and 2!

[@jeffmack4995]

Fantastic return, Roger!! Not only a sailor, architect, but also quite good renderer! Love the thought that obviously goes into all your work. best of old and best of new, it's easy to just go with the flow and just do what everyone says is right and have someone else do the work. The satisfaction comes from working it through and getting your own hands dirty and in the mix. Thanks for the efforts to show us all and include us in your work. Jeff and Julie s/v OoLaLa Westsail32 Hull #81

[@tigerjongreen]

Good to see your renovation moving forward. I was wondering on your progress. Interesting the use of hemp, I have used it myself, but not for insulation. Best wishes, thanks for the video, and keep us updated if can find time in your busy life.

[@TIGA]

Superb approach to presenting a method/specification that, while it appears to be simple, certainly is not. I just wish that we had ARTISANS in the UK. They may sometimes be a little too steeped in their own specialisms and other matters such as turning up and coordinating with other artisans but they generally know far more than the average UK generalist. It ain't light work so thumbs up for getting stuck in yourself. Have fun - An engineer & building surveyor. p.s. I didn't see the boat upstairs!

[@sailingaphrodite4189]

Was that an orange B&Q bucket? Loved the update.

[@doctorshawzy6477]

welcome back

[@mschmidt62]

There are worse things than having a garden full of timber.... It's a lot of work, yes, but it sort of satisfying, too, right?

[@GERALDTrumpp]

How nice to see you having progress on this old house. I'm just working on the new build of my daughter, doing similar things as plastering, sanding, wallpapering ... but an old house is much more inspiering :-) I wonder what you will do with the walls after insulation. Do you do some colour or plaster on it?

[@richardfoster5851]

Not a sail in sight, and still great stuff!!!

[@chrisbeaver5331]

Wow that is some project you have taken on Roger - I trust that it will be your forever home! Will look forward to visiting in due course.

[@chriswilliams6568]

Agree but can’t see it as a forever home as it has 4 stories. An older person will never be able to cope with that. I am 74 and live in a 3 story, but use the first 2, and with arthritic hips I look at the staircase before me as if it were Mt. Everest. Why older folk, and I mean anyone over 50, don’t buy bungalows or apartments I do not know. They will only have to move again if they don’t.

[@alangilbert1876]

@@chriswilliams6568 Maybe he's going to take up yoga

[@steveclancy6474]

Been missing you Roger. Did a similar project on a house I owned in Brighton.

[@GavTatu]

Blimey !

[@ericdelevinquiere9902]

Interesting how I came to the same conclusion building icf structures when dealing with the electric conduits etc… a few decades ago and in a totally different environment!

[@LNM0000]

It's *VERY* hard work. And impossible... looking at a new set of walls like plate glass done by a lad from Birkenhead. I'd leave a wall or two just plain hemp finish. Cracking stuff mate.

[@janebaker966]

It's so nice to hear your lovely melody calm and therapeutic voice again. This video was EVEN MORE interesting than your sailing videos. They are calming and beautiful. I'm sure im not the only one would like more on all the house processes. Too much insulation gets you condensation and mould. I don't believe most of this Green ideology any more. Most of it was hijacked a couple decades ago as cover for another agenda entirely. How handy to be an architect,when you're dealing with tradesmen be it at a garage or wherever it helps it they know YOU KNOW what theyre saying. I know you moved to France due to Brexit damaging your business,just proves every cloud has a silver lining. I voted for Brexit but I wanted the 2nd vote they wouldn't let us have. My first vote was a protest vote,like many I think. We were fed up with posh people bossing us around. I see now I was subtly set up as many of us were. Everyday there would be well spoken people on the radio lecturing us and we wanted to slap them in the face with a wet fish,metaphorically. Now you have two subjects,house projects AND sailing!

[@robertisaacson4807]

Glad to see you carrying on with the build! How does the hemp lime react with direct water contact from leaks in roof or windows for example? Good luck!

[@mickricereto8012]

Roger, great stuff. Painting the OSB or some kind of clear coat? Will the windows match the efficiency of the walls and roof? Historic houses in America like mine have awful hung windows which seal poorly and we need bug screens here. I bet your house will be quiet inside with that hemp cocoon.

[@vempronordeste2841]

Bom dia mestre🌞

[@andrewmackenzieeveritt673]

Mon Dieu, Roger. Fish n chips with cutlery…? Mais, non! Pas de tout! Great to see you’re back, btw!

[@janebaker966]

Looked SO delicious.

[@shroommcfanta2020]

Hope you go back to sailing soon..

[@Nerd3927]

I agree on all your decisions, except for removing the fireplace. That is the sole of a building like that. With the volatility of the energy market, noting beats a well stocked wood pile and coal bunker.

[@frank-waltervondervogelwar4909]

I admit it hurt seeing you demolish the fireplace. Still: I've got a breton house with an insert-fireplace. It does burn nicely. BUT: At this place the inside-insulation (which I bought already done with the house...) becomes a problem. It is: Much of the warmth of the fire leaves the insert with the "gas-flow". It heats up the walls in the chimney which pass mot of the energy on to the outside of the wall, while the inside is insulated. :( Just to put numbers to it: I took a measurement with a thermo-cam which says the wall-temperature rises up to 40 °C... I dream of a solution of two concentric pipes: The smoke inside pre-heating the air flowing into the rooms through the outer ring. That heated air should not be led directly into the fireplace but enter the room as a warm stream of air before it is used for the fire. The system should be built in stainless steel (we are talking about britanny after all). A nice side-effect would be, that the temperature-gradiants in the wall would be less strong releiving the structur from thermal stress... I would be curious if anyone has already developed such a thing...