Windows completed, siding update, cement forms removed

The windows staining and varnishing is almost done in the inside. One coat of stain, and two coats of varnish. All by paint brush. Sanded in between coats with a sanding sponge. Here is dad working on the upstairs sliding door to the porch.



The siding on the west side of the house is up.



Here is the house (lot) at the end of the block. It is a remodel - obviously the owners are remodeling, not building a new structure. I think one cement wall was left during the tear down.




Today Tony and Omar worked on the back of the house.











And Geoff has stripped the forms for the most recent pour.











Insulation should hopefully start soon, while work on the decking begins (along with railings).

A lot of the outside detail work is progressing while the new siding material is delivered to the job site (re: non-uniform look). The wraping around the columns have begun, really giving a good, simple, yet more substantial feel to the exterior of the house.



Notice the 2x2s that wrap around near the top and bottom of the beams, and the simple headers.



The front and back deck celing boxes are now fully wraped. A small 3/4" overhang on the box sides sets it apart from a simple wrap.



Here is the back porch.







My father has cleaned and used a solution (Benite?, or something like that) to create an even surface, so that when the stain is applied, it will go on smooth and not splotch.



We spent this weekend going over the final exterior colors and interior colors.

Exterior installations

Work on the exterior of the house progresses. Below is Tony, one of the siders, working on installing the bottom band on the east side of the house.



Here is is co-worker, Omar.



The trim board and siding (covered) arrived. The siding isn't a consistent smooth face, so it will be replaced with a new shipment from Lumbermans.



The soffits under the roof on the east, and the front porch (south side), were installed. The stain (Nantucket White) was great, then a layer of varnish was applied, and then a second coat of white synthetic varnish was applied. Should hold up very well.







This is the back porch soffits installed.



Below are some pictures of the siding on the house. Notice the mid and upper trim bands, and the unique shape. 2x2 on top, then 1x8 in between (I believe), and a 2x3 on the bottom. Not quite sure on the specifics.



The corners are butted up to each other, with no trim board (like you see on most houses), giving a nice, clean look.



Also, it is a 4 inch overlap, which looks very clean and 'tight.' The cedar is primed gray, so it will be painted later. The last house I built I primed and painted (3 times) the siding before i was installed. Going a different way this time.







The inside of the house is progressing as well. The windows are soon to be sealed and prepped for staining.

Soffits and Footing/Stariwell Part Duex

Work on the soffit material is coming along. Below are a few pictures of the process. We (my dad and I) worked a day staining the soffit material a "Nantucket white" semi-transparent stain. We also did this with 1x4 pine material that will be used for under the front deck.



Today the painter (I think John is his name) was working on the varnishing of the soffit material, 2 coats on the face, and 1 on the back. It adds a bit of yellowish hue, but still has that frosted white look.



Below are staging area and were we stacked some of the material to dry.











The work rate is starting to pick up again. The electrical passed inspection recently.

Below is the pour for the back stairwell outside. It is a really nice pour and finish.



The stairwell up to the back and the side(retaining?) wall will be poured next week.



Here is a picture of the electrical tubes that contain the wiring to the hookup from the electrical boxes in the garage.



Below is Geoff working on the modification to the drainage pipes and finishing the forms for the front stairwell landing area. Contrary to appearances, the guy is very intelligent and well spoken. We recently got into a good discussion over some beer with him and our next door neighbor over the current world financial market and entrepreneurial opportunities (such as modern day "Victory Gardens") in an increasingly oligarchic society.





This is what they look like after being poured and stripped of the framing.





They will be finished next week.

Soffit Material, Outside doors, and Stairwell footings

The footings for the main stairwell are framed, and ready to be poured soon.



Here are the back stairwell footings.





The neighborhood continues to change. This house, across the street and on the corner, is a "remodel." I think they are leaving one wall. It will be raised another story as well.



Basement doors (fir, storefront clear glass)



The main floor store front style door frame, with side window integrated into the framing



Here is the front door, oversized.





On its side is the family room sliding glass door, with integrated windows above.



All of these door above need to be sealed, or course.




The soffit material was delivered and brought up to the main floor where it will be stained. It is some pretty nice stock (smooth face).





Instead of using the Tyvek, GMCraft 60 felt paper (Grade D) was chosen. This is typical high level felt paper (that is, it must withstand water for at least 60 minutes before it lets anything through), and comparable to Tyvek (albiet no vapor breathing ability). Proper flashing and good installation will probably take care of any potential problems. Also, since cedar siding is going on, the potential for leaching exists (though if the cedar is properly primed, which it is, there shouldn't be a problem, and Tyvek has come out with a chemical resistant product in the last 5 years). I think we could have gone with the newer version of Tyvek, but this is what was picked. It will work just fine.