Monthly Archives: May 2015

Thursday, May 21, 2015 — Week Six

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Equal amounts of work were performed on the exterior and interior today.

Outside, the crew got about half of the new vinyl siding installed. Naturally, the original siding used on the house was an odd configuration, consisting of three narrow “clapboards” on each panel rather than the more common two wider ones. Not only that, but the original color had, of course, faded slightly over the years. The builder searched far and wide to find a match, and finally succeeded.

New siding on the addition -- a close match to our existing siding.

New siding on the addition — a close match to our existing siding.

Soffits and flashing.

Soffits and flashing.

 

Moving inside, all of the new rooms are framed in. Just nine days ago, all we had was a concrete slab. Now we are completely under cover and have walls, a roof, partitions, doors, and windows.

Complex framing for the new roof. The yellow VERSA-LAM beams replace a load-bearing wall.

Complex framing for the new roof. The yellow VERSA-LAM beams replace a load-bearing wall.

View from the new closet into the laundry room.

View from the new closet into the laundry room.

 

Our new walk-in closet seems larger than we expected, a good thing. We’re only a couple weeks away from choosing storage options for the closet.

Walk-in closet viewed from the bedroom door.

Walk-in closet viewed from the bedroom door, with the new hallway on the left.

 

Remember that big pile of lumber in our back yard? It’s down to almost nothing. Most of it is now in the structure of our house.

The lumber package dwindles to nothing.

The lumber package dwindles to nothing.

 

We can’t say enough about the fine framing job done by Matt, Pat, Matthew, and Randy. Thanks, guys!

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 — Week Six

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The day began with more work on the roof, and by mid-day the shingling was done. Quite a milestone.

Just a few more shingles, and we're done.

Just a few more shingles, and we’re done.

The last few shingles being installed.

The last few shingles being installed.

 

The window at the end of the new hallway was next. First came a heavy bead of caulk around the window opening.

Running a bead of caulk.

Running a bead of caulk.

 

Next the window was set in place, shimmed, and fastened to the framing.

Setting the window.

Setting the window.

Fastening the window to the frame.

Fastening the window to the framing.

 

Finally, super-sticky Pella SmartFlash weather-proofing tape was applied as extra protection against the elements.

Taping to provide extra weather-proofing.

Pella SmartFlash installation tape provides extra weather-proofing.

Nice!

Nice!

 

The big window for our bedroom was installed in the same way. First, the Tyvek house wrap that had covered the window opening was cut back.

Cutting through the Tyvek to reveal the window opening.

Cutting through the Tyvek to reveal the window opening.

 

By the way, note the neat installation of the new house wrap as compared to the patchwork house wrap from years ago.

The big — and heavy — window fit like a glove and took many dozens of nails to affix it securely to the framing. More Pella tape should prevent future problems.

Nails, nails, and more nails to secure this big window to the framing.

Nails, nails, and more nails to secure this big window to the framing.

Pella tape completes the installation.

Pella tape completes the installation.

 

Our new back steel door was next for installation. The door opens into our new laundry room.

After some careful prep work to refine the opening for the door, including liberal application of construction adhesive and caulk, the framing crew set the door in place.

In goes our new back door.

In goes our new back door.

 

Much adjustment and shimming gave us a door that was not only square and plumb but was also perfectly aligned with the window. All in all, the framing crew spent nearly an hour installing the door and getting it just right. Great work!

Lots of careful nudging and shimming assured the door was plumb and square.

Lots of careful nudging and shimming assured the door was square and plumb.

Our new back window and door look good!

Our new back window and door look good!