Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 May 24, 2011 12:53 pm We are potentially looking at buying a 60's/70's/80's home and doing a bit of work to it - mostly cosmetic stuff. Not having any experience in renovations, I'm not sure if you and or can't do some of the things I have in mind. In the homes we have looked at they often have those round vents in the ceiling - especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Can these be removed or are there regulations that they need to remain? Also, along the same lines, those rectangular vents high on the walls - presumably for ventilation, can these be removed and plastered over? Also, when it comes to removing walls to open up a space, how or who determines if it is structural and assuming it's not, can you DIY demolish it or does a registered builder need to complete the work? Thanks in advance. Second Time 'Round Re: Cosmetic fix-ups 2May 24, 2011 2:01 pm Not sure what round vents you mean. Obviously they don't contain exhaust fans? Any such holes, including the rectangular vents high on walls, can be covered over no problem. If you don't know what you're doing, get a local builder to take check whether walls you wish to remove are load bearing. If not, they are easy for you to remove. If they are load bearing you'll need a building permit & you'll have to engage a professional. Re: Cosmetic fix-ups 3May 24, 2011 5:07 pm These are a couple of pics of the ceiling vent I mean: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ *These photos are just ones I found online. My parents have one in their kitchen and bathroom and neither have a fan/electricity attached. I'm assuming there would be no issue with removing them but wasn't sure if there were regulations about ventilation. Lol - we definitely don't know what we're doing... but I thought it was a good idea to ask before we decide whether this will be the route we go (reno/modernisation). Also, I know it would be a huge job, but how hard is it to rip up floor tiles on a scale of easy to impossible...? And how difficult is it to replace a window with french/glass doors? Assuming the doors are the same size as the existing window. Second Time 'Round Re: Cosmetic fix-ups 4May 25, 2011 8:51 am First_Timer_Ray I'm assuming there would be no issue with removing them but wasn't sure if there were regulations about ventilation. No problem removing them. As I understand it, there were regulations about ventilation that no longer exist. Also, I know it would be a huge job, but how hard is it to rip up floor tiles on a scale of easy to impossible...? It's not hard. If the tiles are on a concrete slab you'll probably need a hammer drill with a wide, flat bit (can't remember what the bit is called). You can pick up an ozito jobby from bunnings for about $80 And how difficult is it to replace a window with french/glass doors? Assuming the doors are the same size as the existing window. If you using the existing cavity it's pretty easy & you won't need a permit. However, if this is something you haven't done just pay to get them installed. Most manufacturers will give you an installed price and if this is too high just ask a local carpenter to install for you. If you do a you-tube search you'll probably find videos on on all these things with tips. I recently went through a similar renovation and move scenario when updating our family home. We also swapped some rooms around and tackled a major… 2 9755 Hey guys, what’s everyone opinion on James Hardie linea direct fix to frame? Would this be the most common method and anybody ever had any problems down the track? 0 5132 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair If the railhead is so poorly fixed it is also likely that the railhead is also non compliant, what about overflows and sealing railhead to the gutters?. 3 5963 |