Converting outbuilding to office

di11on

Hi folks,

We're buying a house and it has a pretty solid outdoor kitchen/shed structure. I'd like to convert this to an office. I live in the south of France so the climate isn't as challenging from a moisture point of view.

The walls are made from cavity blocks.

My understanding is that I will need to:

- Damp proof floor
- Lay new floor above damp proof course
- Lay new floor (say laminate) plus underlayment for laminate

Then:
- Damp proof and insulate walls and ceiling
- Erect interior stud wall frame and ceiling frame
- Install insulation
- Hang plasterboard
- Finish

Is that the bones of it? I know I will have to sort out sockets and wiring etc. I won't need plumbing as it's going to be an office space.

My main question is, for the walls, do I need to do all the layers separately: polystyrene (is this damp proof?) -> frame -> insulation -> drywall?

Or... are there fancy new combined products I can buy and just slap it directly onto the wall?

Since this is going to be an office and the climate isn't as unforgiving as in Ireland, I am very much treating this as a learning experience.

Thanks in advance!

Calahonda52

While you can you might edit the title to say its in France.

Any planning issues for change of use?

How do u know floor is not damp proof already?
Have walls got a DPM

di11on

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I've missed the window to edit the title.

Not sure about the planning - will have to look into it - but I think we're ok.

I will have to check the floor but I don't think the walls are - they are bare block on the inside. I have attached some pictures - not great but all I have at the moment.

di11on

Couldn't upload all the pics, so here are two more

di11on

This one shows the floor - and the resident bunny :-)

Edit: for the walls, can I just use these combined drywall-insulation panels like this:

http://www.castorama.fr/store/Plaque-de-doublage-Joker-Isol-10--40-PRDm947910.html?navAction=push&sortByValue=relevance&navCount=2

Can they go directly onto the wall?

Edit: I guess this answers that question!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtqnFg2tJKQ

whizbang

Roof doesn't look very watertight to me..

di11on

I can see why you say that. There is light reflecting in and perhaps in stormy conditions it could blow in... I'll have to double check it