Sciany -The walls
As I've had a house built for me before in Scotland, I felt that some of the technology used there would be useful here in Poland. What different technology you may ask? The answer to that is 'timber frame technology'.
Initially I wanted to build a timber framed house here, but everyone advised me against it....and not convinced, I started to look for plans of houses that I liked. To be frank I never found any.....and so I moved to a traditional build as there was a mind-boggling selection of them.
What amazed me was the solidity of everything being built. In houses in Scotland the upstairs floors are suspended on joists which are part of a timber construction, not the concrete supports used here. I therefore went with the architect's plans and decided that I wanted plasterboard panels upstairs to create the rooms. There was a lot of 'tutting' by the builder in respect of this, as well as many other people.....and the comment was used 'it just isn't done.....people prefer solid walls'. Ok, I thought go with it again and keep my mouth shut.....you don't teach a baker how to bake cakes, do you?... so 'I went with the flow'.
Then we came to plastering.....normally plasterboards on top of the walls and ceilings in Britain, but not here! Instead we had a superb machine that sprayed the stuff on, with a dedicated team of plasterers showing their skill in getting the finish just right. To say I was impressed would be a mild comment.
At the end of the day it comes down to costs, and labour costs are high in Great Britain and most of Europe. Here in Poland they are not inexpensive in relation to salaries earned by an average polish citizen.
My experience of plasterers was more of 'tapers' who pinned or nailed on the plasterboard, taped it and then skimmed it. It certainly was not done like that here because of all the ceramic brick walls and concrete ceilings.
The finish was superb...like glass...No wonder that Polish tradesmen are respected the world over!!They command a very high opinion back in Scotland..and rightly so!!
