magellen

Hi Everyone: I need your help please! Do I need planning permission to divide a large livingroom - the room is impossible to heat in the winter.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Jonny22

Don't know for sure but if it's not affecting the external appearance then probably not. Cheapest option would be to put up a plasterboard stud wall. UK spec would be Jumbo stud with 2 layers of plasterboard each side. Make sure you fill the cavity with 2 or 3 layers of rock wool to insulate. As it's fairly simple it wouldn't be difficult to dismantle in the future if you wanted to.

stevensuf

No permission required for internal changes as long as you are not removing structural walls.

EMR

We use black out curtains to reduce the area of our lounge having an open plan gtound floor area and this simple and cheap method is very effective in retainin heat where we want it.
They are folded back when not needed and easily removed for the summer.
Remember what may be harder to heat in the winter will also be easier to keep cool in the summer.

macliam

Seems a good idea - alternatively, use large folding doors (like a screen) to the same effect - open in Summer, closed in Winter - and absolutely no impact on saleability or price.

magellen

Thank you all so much for your replies. Glad I don't need planning permission! I like the idea of the folding doors which can be opened in the summer. We will be back in Feb and try to get it sorted then. Another question if I may be so bold: any contacts for carpenter, handyman etc?

peterfc

And the area the house is in is............

Peter

magellen

That would be helpful!!! I'm in Cabanas de Tavira

macliam

Have to leave recommendations to the Algarve contingent - but get a good Portuguese carpenter and ask about a "parede biombo" - a wall that folds like a screen.

One useful idea, if you have high ceilings, is to have a fixed portion down to "normal" ceiling height and the foldable portion made to meet that - far easier and more effective than trying to produce any kind of seal to an existing ceiling. The fixed portion can be made solid or translucent - the best I've seen looks like paper (well, it is a Japanese idea!) and the folding doors can then butt against one side of the fixed part, making your seal, but easy to manoeuvre.

I accept cheques!

magellen

Macliam: Thank you for the very useful tips, especially re the high ceiling.
would you accept cr card?

macliam

No problem, my Christmas gift!

Good luck - a Portuguese joiner should be able to create this for you, no problem - an expat will charge you for the luxury of talking English!

Dal Dy Dir

We had similar problem, not for heat more for privacy for the bathroom / bedrooms, I built a floor to cieling storage come display unit with a central door that allowed acess to the rest of the apartment. Breaks up the room and provides storage.

macliam

That's an alternate, if a semi-pemanent division is required.