WOW!

I can't believe it's JULY! We've had a lot on our plate this year and unfortunately the blog has been seriously neglected. I'm going to attempt to cover the last couple months in this update. We're still trying to be completed by the end of November but we won't be having our Thanksgiving house warming party as previously planned, instead we'll be preparing for a new addition to our family!

Ok, let's start with the doors. Jesse installed all the exterior doors. Including the bifold/swing exterior doors on the south facade. This was a bit of an experiment. Companies like NanaWall make these type of doors but they were way out of our budget. So Jesse did so research and found another company in Canada that makes heavy duty bifold and sliding door hardware. He was able to pick and match enough of the hardware from them to create a system for our doors. He's a genius! (I may be a little bias)

door prep station



stained door hardware prep



door locking hardware installed

hinge detail

Jesse's 'How-to-use' door video

Next we'll look at the screened in porch and south steps. These are under construction, the step treads are temporary, they will be replaced with a material similar to the floor decking at the screened and sleeping porch.

Oliver helping to survey the area prior to building

footings poured and framing beginning

there's a footing to catch each stringer

We'll fit a rain catchment barrel under this part of the deck to catch the downspout

It's going to be great to sit on these steps for movie nights next spring!

Next up the Polygal! This is the translucent material we worked hard to be able to incorporate into our project. I'm in love with the material and the application. Bubble wrap will be used in the wall cavities as insulation and another sheet will be applied to the interior. Special thanks to David Webber for the invaluable advice and tour of his home application!!

view from the office

 

The top panel is visible from the master bedroom while the bottom panel will add natural light to the closet

This section is above the dining area and stairs

view from the sleeping porch

Jesse's immaculate detail between the reclaimed cedar fence board, the polygal and the waterproofing membrane of the sleeping porch

detail at sleeping porch

 In Jesse's spare time he managed to renovate our existing house while I was out of town for a week. In exchange for a wall I received a dishwasher and garbage disposal for my birthday. Thank you Jesse!!!

Let the chaos begin! Half wall's down, kitchen is a job site

Remodelling my architect wife's house while she's out of town! What was I thinking???

Temporary support

Fridge relocated, threshold complete

Dishwasher installation

Wrapped and ready!! Surprise!!!

Plumbing begins...

Main bathroom plumbing with metal trough bathtub

W/C plumbing

Trenching! 15" trench from the new house to the street to tie into the sewer

These men banged this trench out in a day!!

Outline of trench

drain laid

Mj. Tom and Oliver think the trenches are their personal subway system

Thanks to the wonderful rain, it's a bit of a jungle out there.

Here's a picture or two the completed back gate. The panel the kids did at the work party looks great!

That's it for now. I'll try to stay more up to date with the posts. Especially since we'll be moving a bit faster in the ext couple months. Stay tuned for electrical, HVAC, drywall and siding completion!! Hope your summer's going well!