Portuguese Property Renovation Guide (Part 1/4)

What lies beneath?

The attached photograph (left) shows an ideal candidate for a refurbishment project resulting in a special home of character and charm. These properties are in abundance in central Portugal, but only those with real potential are available at Coimbra Property Shop.

A little history.

The stone houses that we come across in central Portugal whether rendered or in original stone were nearly all intended to be finished simply as stone houses.

The properties are constructed of dressed (stones with a flat surface that were cut during the quarrying process) local limestone, schist or granite. The construction is very similar to those “dry stone walls” found in the UK and famous in the lake district. In order to keep out the drafts from the spaces between the stones, the gaps are traditionaly filled with soil. See attached photograph (below, right). This has the advantage of allowing the house to move slightly as it settles into the land. No foundations are used or needed.

The main disadvantage of this method of construction is that these walls are single skin and do not have any insulation or cavity. Therefore as the soil dries it attracts moisture from inside or outside depending which has more humidity. This results in interior walls becoming very damp, in some cases actually running with moisture. The situation is made worse by heating or central heating being used in the winter months.

Don’t worry, it can be addressed with the correct building techniques and materials.

Take a look at the before and after photographs below.

Project undertaken and pictures courtesy of DreamHome Portugal.

Tags: building, granite, limestone, portugal, portuguese, refurb, refurb property, refurbishing properties, stone, stone cottage, stone house, xist