Week 10 - Framing 1

This has been a week for big changes. My advice in any project like this is to clearly know what you want, and what you can or can't live with. Be ready to jump on an opportunity when it presents itself. Ask questions. Know what's going on. Also, be flexible where you can and be firm where you have to. It's your house and you are the one who will have to live with it when all is said and done.

This week began with roof framing. It made an amazing amount of difference to the whole look of the front, even though it is only the entry hallway roof so far.

It also makes a big difference to the look inside the space to have a roof. It looks like an actual room now, although darker than I expected, especially since the new porch isn't on yet.

The office is still roofless, but it is now possible to get a sense of how tall the space is and how high the vent windows will be. It is way more bright than it will be with the roof on, but should still be a very light space when it is finished. The space seems very large, but I think a ceiling, walls, windows, doors, closet, and all the other details will change that, plus the furniture of course.

Next the porch roof went up and REALLY changed the look of the front. It is going to be a wonderful sitting place when it is done. It's a fun place even now.

Now one of the adjustments: In the course of building the roof, the framers deviated from the design, which called for heavier rafters and a grooved plywood deck with the grooves down, to simulate the look of tongue and groove on the original roof (still visible on my neighbors house). I was not so attached to the design that I was willing to have the deck torn off and redone, but maybe. I'm going to go over all the options with the contractor on Monday and make a decision.

The big problem was that, as the roof went onto the office, I just wasn't happy with the way it looked. Even though the slope of the roof is the same everywhere, the hip roof looks shallower because what attracts the eye is the angle of the hip rather than the angle of the roof itself. Also, because the room is tall and the house is already four feet above street level, it's even more exadgerated. It looks abnormally flat from everywhere except maybe Gordon's porch roof across the street.

After a brief struggle with myself,I asked the framer to stop working on the roof and began calling people. I talked to the contractor and the architect, e-mailed them each a picture, and had someone from Slater come out to look at it. We discussed some options, but came to no firm conclusion. That will also be decided on Monday. The roofers scheduled for Monday had to be put back as well.

Like I said, know yourself. Know what you would be happy with, and what will drive you nuts.

Luckily, the framer was able to switch to installing the windows, and a temporary door, so he didn't have a lot of down time. The new windows are high-efficiency and fiberglass clad, an upgrade from the contract specs. When I decided I wanted to upgrade it was up to me to do the research, after talking it over with the contractor. In the end I found, purchased, and picked them up myself to save on some of the added cost.

Elsewhere, the back garage wall and window went in, which changed the look of the back yard all over again. The window in the garage was salvaged one from the Rebuilding Center. Because the garage will be an unheated, non-living space it was less critical, but it's still a good window.

I seeded all my bare dirt in back and on the front slope with a mixture of annual ryegrass, crimson clover and buckwheat. I don't expect to get a lot of growth before it dries out, but every little bit helps and I plan to turn it in a green manure.

Because the roof and gutters will be going on next week I made myself a rain barrel.

Week 11 - Framing 2