| Home Improvement Project 2006 |
| Phase 3: Exterior Page 1 of 2 |
| All images are thumbnails. Click on a picture for a larger version. |
Let's start with a little tale of past and present. On the left are a couple of pictures of my house as it appeared when I bought it. The
pictures in the center are of the house in its pre-construction/pre-paint condition. There have been some obvious changes, such as the
color of the house and the changes I'd made to the yard, but for the most part, in 2005, the house was pretty much unchanged from how I
bought it. The siding -- predominantly cheap contractor-grade pine -- was in horrible shape. There was some water damage, and enough
of the clapboards had started to deteriorate that it made sense to just rip it all off and replace the entire exterior. On the right is the final
result after almost an entire summer of noise, chaos, and some pretty nice guys wandering around outside my house.
pictures in the center are of the house in its pre-construction/pre-paint condition. There have been some obvious changes, such as the
color of the house and the changes I'd made to the yard, but for the most part, in 2005, the house was pretty much unchanged from how I
bought it. The siding -- predominantly cheap contractor-grade pine -- was in horrible shape. There was some water damage, and enough
of the clapboards had started to deteriorate that it made sense to just rip it all off and replace the entire exterior. On the right is the final
result after almost an entire summer of noise, chaos, and some pretty nice guys wandering around outside my house.
Why the frell ... ???
After looking at the pictures of the house as it appeared before the work started now, you are no doubt muttering to yourself, "It looks fantastic!
Why the frell is Crash going to all the expense, mess and trouble of replacing the exterior?" A closer look reveals the trouble that is brewing.
Why the frell is Crash going to all the expense, mess and trouble of replacing the exterior?" A closer look reveals the trouble that is brewing.
There were a host of clapboards that
were split and/or warped, which would
let in water and heaven knows what
else.
were split and/or warped, which would
let in water and heaven knows what
else.
The trim boards on the corners were
installed so that they sit 'outboard' of
the siding (idiotic!), which would funnel
water behind the corner boards.
installed so that they sit 'outboard' of
the siding (idiotic!), which would funnel
water behind the corner boards.
The trim around the doors and
windows were all starting to rot. This
was the result of just age and weather,
but needed to be fixed in either case.
windows were all starting to rot. This
was the result of just age and weather,
but needed to be fixed in either case.
Window sills, which weren't installed
quite correctly the first time around,
were in rough shape.
quite correctly the first time around,
were in rough shape.
This is plain old water damage, but it
had begun to cause rot, and we
expected to find damage to the
sheathing beneath.
had begun to cause rot, and we
expected to find damage to the
sheathing beneath.
Plain old, ratty old siding that had seen
better days. It was time for it to be
retired, and for nice new weather proof
siding to take its place.
better days. It was time for it to be
retired, and for nice new weather proof
siding to take its place.
Decisions, decisions ...
First decision: paint color. Too many choices.
Why the concern about the paint color when work hadn't even begun, you might ask. Because the house was going to be covered in a
nifty, almost indestructible product called fiber-cement, and a truckload of the stuff was going to arrive in my driveway with two coats of
primer and two coats of the finish color already on it. The color had to be chosen before we ordered the siding. <bites fingernails
nervously> However, there IS an enjoyable part to ripping the entire exterior off a house. You can experiment with impunity, knowing
that the surface you are painting is going to be replaced.
Why the concern about the paint color when work hadn't even begun, you might ask. Because the house was going to be covered in a
nifty, almost indestructible product called fiber-cement, and a truckload of the stuff was going to arrive in my driveway with two coats of
primer and two coats of the finish color already on it. The color had to be chosen before we ordered the siding. <bites fingernails
nervously> However, there IS an enjoyable part to ripping the entire exterior off a house. You can experiment with impunity, knowing
that the surface you are painting is going to be replaced.
There are actually two test patches
here. The second one is between the
window on the right and the porch.
here. The second one is between the
window on the right and the porch.
Getting close to a decision, so I have
painted this end of the porch "below
the waist" to see how it will look.
painted this end of the porch "below
the waist" to see how it will look.
Decision made, but still feeling a little
uncertain, so the shed has been
painted in the new house colors.
uncertain, so the shed has been
painted in the new house colors.
| Waiting, waiting, waiting ... Work is due to begin on July 10th, but it's been raining steadily since about May, and all of the contractors and painters in the region are running waaaaayyyyyy behind. Jason says he'll be here on the tenth. <bites fingernails nervously> |
July 10th ... Last minute preparations:
July 10, 2006 @ 8:30am. The contractor, Jason, called. We're starting ON SCHEDULE!!! WaaaaaahOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Some preparation work has already been done. Some last minute things had to be taken care of before the workmen get started.
Some preparation work has already been done. Some last minute things had to be taken care of before the workmen get started.
Since I won't be home ... or even in the state ... for some of the project, I made some notes about what I want done and left them where even
the contractors won't be able to mislay them. (Truthfully, this has nothing to do with reminders, and everything to do with running around
writing on the outside of my house, safe in the knowledge that they're going to pull off all the siding.
the contractors won't be able to mislay them. (Truthfully, this has nothing to do with reminders, and everything to do with running around
writing on the outside of my house, safe in the knowledge that they're going to pull off all the siding.
I painted the back steps, the lattice
work, and the porch door in advance.
The last one needed repairs, so I had
it off the hinges. It seemed like a good
time to paint.
work, and the porch door in advance.
The last one needed repairs, so I had
it off the hinges. It seemed like a good
time to paint.
Made a notation or two about certain
items on the exterior of the house.
items on the exterior of the house.
And since the portion of the house that
the doorbell is normally attached to is
eventually headed to the dump, I had
to come up with a alternative location
for the button.
the doorbell is normally attached to is
eventually headed to the dump, I had
to come up with a alternative location
for the button.
Demolition and Construction:
Actual work begins VERY promptly at
8:00am on July 11. My computer desk
is against this wall. You wouldn't
believe how bad this sounds.
8:00am on July 11. My computer desk
is against this wall. You wouldn't
believe how bad this sounds.
Demolition progressed pretty quickly ...
... with a few casualties along the way.
All the banging on the outside of the
house began knocking pictures off the
walls and several items leaped off their
shelves.
All the banging on the outside of the
house began knocking pictures off the
walls and several items leaped off their
shelves.
The mega-sized trash barrel arrived in
the middle of a short downpour. Let
me tell you, this really dresses up my
lawn. The neighbors were awestruck.
the middle of a short downpour. Let
me tell you, this really dresses up my
lawn. The neighbors were awestruck.
But, despite rain and a few difficulties
removing some of the material, by the
end of the first day, two sides of the
house had been stripped.
removing some of the material, by the
end of the first day, two sides of the
house had been stripped.
They turned my lovely house into a
tar-paper shack!!! *sniffle*
tar-paper shack!!! *sniffle*
Wednesday morning: the supplies
arrive.
arrive.
It's actually a lot of fun to watch the
guys operate the various delivery
trucks. When it comes to setting stuff
down carefully in a specific spot, these
guys are artists.
guys operate the various delivery
trucks. When it comes to setting stuff
down carefully in a specific spot, these
guys are artists.
My small lumber yard, ready for the
thunderstorms that are forecast to
come through this afternoon.
thunderstorms that are forecast to
come through this afternoon.
My homework assignment: paint one
sheet of bead-board. Later, I'll show
you where it winds up. The real trick?
Doing this without putting a corner
through one of the porch screens.
sheet of bead-board. Later, I'll show
you where it winds up. The real trick?
Doing this without putting a corner
through one of the porch screens.
Why aren't the contractors working on
my house on Wednesday, July 12th?
The green stuff is moving northeast.
my house on Wednesday, July 12th?
The green stuff is moving northeast.
Friday, July 14 -- Today the guys are working on all the slow, nitpicky preparation work that has to be done before the siding can actually be
installed. Wherever there is a 'hole' in the house -- window, door, exhaust vent for my heating stove -- the black stuff on the house, which
turned out to be a form of particle board, has to be removed back to the nearest stud and replaced with plywood. The plywood will provide
something solid to nail the new siding into where it butts up against the windows and doors. Why didn't this matter before? It actually did. The
presence of the particle board explains why the clapboards refused to stay tight against the trim for the last 20+ years and why nails backed
out of the siding at a rate of knots.
Sooooooooooooo ...
installed. Wherever there is a 'hole' in the house -- window, door, exhaust vent for my heating stove -- the black stuff on the house, which
turned out to be a form of particle board, has to be removed back to the nearest stud and replaced with plywood. The plywood will provide
something solid to nail the new siding into where it butts up against the windows and doors. Why didn't this matter before? It actually did. The
presence of the particle board explains why the clapboards refused to stay tight against the trim for the last 20+ years and why nails backed
out of the siding at a rate of knots.
Sooooooooooooo ...
The area around the window "before".
The particle board has been removed
to the right of the window, and Alex is
working on replacing it. One very cool
detail: That is the original insulation,
still in GREAT shape after 20 years.
to the right of the window, and Alex is
working on replacing it. One very cool
detail: That is the original insulation,
still in GREAT shape after 20 years.
Plywood to the left and right of 3 of the
windows. We're getting there. This
step will have to be repeated on the
sides and front of the house as well.
windows. We're getting there. This
step will have to be repeated on the
sides and front of the house as well.
This is the heater vent, ready for its
chunk of plywood. See the pieces of
wood above and below it? That's a
wall stud. You know ... like what
supports the SECOND FLOOR!!! The
idjits that installed the vent cut through
it and just left it that way. *sigh*
chunk of plywood. See the pieces of
wood above and below it? That's a
wall stud. You know ... like what
supports the SECOND FLOOR!!! The
idjits that installed the vent cut through
it and just left it that way. *sigh*
Alex is framing around the vent so the
wall is once again weight bearing ...
not to be confused with "buckling
under the weight of the upper story
because some nitwit cut the stud".
wall is once again weight bearing ...
not to be confused with "buckling
under the weight of the upper story
because some nitwit cut the stud".
All done. The insulation has been
replaced and the sheathing is
installed, ready to have some siding
placed over it.
replaced and the sheathing is
installed, ready to have some siding
placed over it.
The other thing they had to set up
today was the staging so they could hit
the high spots. Tom and Jason are
ripping some really long boards ...
today was the staging so they could hit
the high spots. Tom and Jason are
ripping some really long boards ...
... which were then fastened together
to form uprights, and were fastened to
the house. Better them than me. I
hate heights.
to form uprights, and were fastened to
the house. Better them than me. I
hate heights.
Late afternoon, just before they called
it a day. They are wrapping the side of
the house in Typar (very similar to
Tyvek). It was close to 100 degrees
today, and that wall faces west.
it a day. They are wrapping the side of
the house in Typar (very similar to
Tyvek). It was close to 100 degrees
today, and that wall faces west.
While Jason, Tom and Alex were working on the house, I was lounging about drinking wine coolers and snacking on bon-bons.
NOT!!
As of this morning there was an ENORMOUS trash dumpster in my driveway, and a shed in the back yard that was gradually decomposing.
I've wanted to get rid of the shed for some time. My neighbor, Craig, very generously gave me a hand bringing to two together. It took just two
hours to demolish it and heave the bits into the dumpster. (Craig wielded the sledgehammer. I toted planks to the dumpster and took
pictures.) Next summer there will be a vegetable garden in that spot.
NOT!!
As of this morning there was an ENORMOUS trash dumpster in my driveway, and a shed in the back yard that was gradually decomposing.
I've wanted to get rid of the shed for some time. My neighbor, Craig, very generously gave me a hand bringing to two together. It took just two
hours to demolish it and heave the bits into the dumpster. (Craig wielded the sledgehammer. I toted planks to the dumpster and took
pictures.) Next summer there will be a vegetable garden in that spot.
Monday, July 17 -- Another day of installing everything BUT the siding. It probably seems like it's taking forever for them to get around to
putting some clapboards on the house, but when you walk around the house and look at all the other bits and pieces that have to go in first in
order to make sure that everything is weather proof, it all makes perfect sense that it's taking a while to get ready for the fiber-cement. The
trim around the windows and doors, any blocks that will go behind things that get attached to the outside of the house (like the dryer vent and
water spigots) all have to be in place first. But it's starting to look more like a construction site than a demolition site.
putting some clapboards on the house, but when you walk around the house and look at all the other bits and pieces that have to go in first in
order to make sure that everything is weather proof, it all makes perfect sense that it's taking a while to get ready for the fiber-cement. The
trim around the windows and doors, any blocks that will go behind things that get attached to the outside of the house (like the dryer vent and
water spigots) all have to be in place first. But it's starting to look more like a construction site than a demolition site.
The north side of the house has been
wrapped now, and the white trim
around the windows is all new. That
will eventually get painted light brown.
wrapped now, and the white trim
around the windows is all new. That
will eventually get painted light brown.
The little white square with a hole in it
to Jason's left is the kind of block that
they are installing to hold the "extras".
This particular one is for the water
spigot.
to Jason's left is the kind of block that
they are installing to hold the "extras".
This particular one is for the water
spigot.
The hot water heater vent (right) and
dryer vent (left) are secured. Small
piece of wood, lots of finicky labor,
which means it will look GREAT once it
is painted.
dryer vent (left) are secured. Small
piece of wood, lots of finicky labor,
which means it will look GREAT once it
is painted.
A couple of weeks back, before any work even started on the house, I told Jason that they could
store all their tools in my "garage" shed every night. (If you go back up two rows of pictures, that
is why the wheelbarrow and the mower are sitting out in the open where there used to be a
shed.) Here's what my poor 'garage' looks like at the end of the day. There's actually something
I need to get out of the gray storage cabinet at the back. It'll wait until tomorrow.
store all their tools in my "garage" shed every night. (If you go back up two rows of pictures, that
is why the wheelbarrow and the mower are sitting out in the open where there used to be a
shed.) Here's what my poor 'garage' looks like at the end of the day. There's actually something
I need to get out of the gray storage cabinet at the back. It'll wait until tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 18 -- 0830 hours: "Houston, we have SIDING!!" Yippee!!!
What did you expect at 8:30 in the
morning? Half a wall finished already?
morning? Half a wall finished already?
Before they go much further, each
"protrusion" from the side of the house
has to get this nifty little metal hat
(known as a drip cap) put on it.
"protrusion" from the side of the house
has to get this nifty little metal hat
(known as a drip cap) put on it.
The first glimpse of what this is going
to look like when there's more of it.
I've told Jason that I'm going to take a
picture each time he puts on another
piece of siding. Hee hee hee.
to look like when there's more of it.
I've told Jason that I'm going to take a
picture each time he puts on another
piece of siding. Hee hee hee.
I'm a bit bummed. Just as they finally got moving on the siding (as opposed to preparing for the siding) ... It RAINED!!!! They got
rained out!!! *sniffle* The guys did manage to get just enough on the house so I could get an idea of how this will look when it's
completed though. The siding has been pre-painted, so that is very close to how it will look when the project is completed. The
white mounting blocks will be the same color as the siding, so those will just sort of disappear. All of the house trim will be the
same color as the porch door. So if you look at the picture, close your left eye, squint with your right eye. tilt your head to one side
while standing on one leg, and use vast amounts of imagination, you can see what the end result will look like.
That's all for a while. I'm headed off to Comic Con in the morning. The house appearing in the next set of pictures will be as much
of a surprise to me as it will be to everyone visiting this page.
rained out!!! *sniffle* The guys did manage to get just enough on the house so I could get an idea of how this will look when it's
completed though. The siding has been pre-painted, so that is very close to how it will look when the project is completed. The
white mounting blocks will be the same color as the siding, so those will just sort of disappear. All of the house trim will be the
same color as the porch door. So if you look at the picture, close your left eye, squint with your right eye. tilt your head to one side
while standing on one leg, and use vast amounts of imagination, you can see what the end result will look like.
That's all for a while. I'm headed off to Comic Con in the morning. The house appearing in the next set of pictures will be as much
of a surprise to me as it will be to everyone visiting this page.
| 1993 |
| 2005 |
| 2006 |
