Thursday, April 22, 2010

All Windows are In


Finally, all 22 windows have been installed. The front windows were the last to be put in and I guess they were the hardest because there were never windows in the front of the building. All the vinyl siding has been taken off the building, except for the soffit area. You can see in the triangle up top where there is boards to nail the siding to. There is a gap around that triangle, were are thinking of putting a louver in the gap and using it as attic ventilation, along with normal vents in the back of the building.


A view of the windows on the front and lawn side of the building.


The front of the building before the windows were installed; with just the framing.


A view of the windows from the inside.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

There Baaaccckkkk


The bats are back in town! We were hoping that they would find a new place to hang out but here they are. We have not seen that many two or three at a time but who knows where they might be hiding.


We have to wait until the house is sealed up to get rid of the bats. Once sealed we can install "Bat Tubes" a device that allows them to go out but not come back in.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Starting Front Windows


Work on the front windows has started. You can see here where the new window is being framed out. There was no windows in the front so studs have to be moved and new windows framed out.


All the lawn side windows have been installed. The second floor door has been removed and the hole patched.


An inside view of work on the front corner.


This is the back corner of the second floor in the middle is where the door was, now patched.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Granite Steps


Yesterday we had these granite steps installed. We bought the granite from a quarry about a mile away. But, the problem was how do we get the get the pieces home. Fortunately we found a mason who would pick the pieces up, prepare the base, and put the pieces together.

The top piece is 3 feet by 4 feet and 7-1/2 inches thick...that's heavy. The pieces on the sides are called "cheek" pieces and they hold the top slab up. The front step is 4 feet wide and 1 feet deep, and also 7-1/2 inches high.

The steps are a bit dirty but they will look good when cleaned off.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

14 Windows in - 8 to go


All the windows on the driveway side of the house have been installed.


This is a photo of the lawn side of the house with all the window area removed; waiting for framing.


The front two bays have been framed and windows installed; only eight windows to go. Four on this side and four in the front.


The trench to the well is being dug now, a conduit will be installed and the area around the conduit will be filled with sand. This conduit that will hold the water pipe and electricity for the well pump will be going under the driveway and if in the future one of those needs to be replaced, the job will be much easier instead of having to tear up the driveway a new pipe will be pushed or pulled through the conduit.


You may have noticed that the fire escape has been removed from the side of the building. Here it sits on my lawn, a piece of modern art until I can figure out how to get rid of it.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Duct Work Begins


The duct work has begun, here you can see flexible hoses hanging from the ceiling like a bunch of silver worms.


Main trunk lines are being put in the ceiling.


They have also been putting duct work in the crawl space under the first floor. I just put my camera down into the dark and clicked off a flash photo. I was glad to see no water, this was during that heavy rain we had been having.


Duct work stands at the ready waiting to be installed. We are going all out and installing air conditioning also. You notice the duct work is insulated; this is to code and also makes a lot of sense.


A box of vents also waiting to be installed.