MARCH 2004
As March begins, we're STILL waiting for the permits. Carlos (architect) and Jim (engineer)
are working out some details to clear up some questions from the city. Meanwhile, while we wait
for concrete bids and more materials are ordered and delivered, we get started on the fences,
which we're doing ourselves with a little help from our friends and relatives.
3.6.04—The Southern property line shared with our future neighbors Chad and Derrick.
This fence was about to fall over anyway and a recent storm actually knocked down
about 30 feet of it for us.
First we tear down about half the fence and get the holes dug. There was a huge
tree stump crossing the property line so I had to have the stump removal guy come
back and grind down my half. There were still roots where a hole needed to be so
we had to stick the chainsaw down there and tear it out.Don's dad is now an official part-time crew member. Don Sr. mixes concrete and
fills the post holes.The new fence framework is constructed of steel PostMasters (which are just about
the strongest fence posts available) and 2 x 6 pressure treated wood beams. The
fence siding is Certainteed Weatherboards (fiber concrete) that are usually used for
house siding. They will be painted with a textured paint that will give the fence a
sandy stucco-like finish. It will hopefully look more like a stucco wall than a fence.3.7.04—Don Sr. constructed a portable table saw to bring to the site. The concrete
boards are cut to size to fit the top 2 feet of each 8 foot long fence section.
These boards are only 5/16" thick, but very dense and hard to cut.
Each side of the site will require fourteen 8-foot long sections. After 3 1/2 days
working on the South line, it's still not quite done... and then there's still the other
side plus 6-10 more section of additional yard fencing. Not to mention all the
painting that needs to be done on it. And then, there will be a anodized aluminum
c-channel cap screwed to the top of the whole fence. A lot of work!
3.16.04—The exising HVAC vent, which was previously inside a drywall covered
soffit, is being torn out in the central living area. The existing soffit vent will remain
in the office, master bath and one of the boys bedrooms.
At left, the soffit vent in the office is left exposed and will be connected to an new
exposed round spiral pipe vent that will hang from the ceiling. The connections in
the office at one end and inside a closet at the other end will be hidden. The new
vent will run along the exposed center support beam (at right) and add to the
"modern urban loft" style of the house.
3.18.04—The front patio is marked out in the yard with pink string. The lower lines
show the 24' x 9' concrete patio and 2' wide planter strip. The planter strip will be
between the patio and the 3' high masonry-stucco wall, the top of which is marked
by the high pink string. There will be a simular smaller patio to the right on the
other side of the front walkway.
The tallest white stick represents the average height of the plants that will be in the
patio planter. They are meant create a natural screen wall to provide privacy from
the road and sidewalk (where this was shot from) and also to create a garden view
from inside the house.
These photos show three samples were custom cut and bent by Loomis Metals.
They are made of Kynar-painted 26 guage steel sheets. The test pieces fit almost
perfectly. After a few adjustments to the drawings, we'll have enough made to
cover the entire facia around the house. There will be other custom metal pieces
made to go under the roof overhang and the triangular sections on the sides of
the house (black area at right).
03.26.04—Forms for the large back patio and the two front patios are in place for
the first concrete pour tomorrow morning. Bill the trencher digs where there will be
forms for the footing of the 3' tall patio garden walls.
03.27.04—7:30am the concrete truck shows up to start with the back patio.
The mud begins to flow. Captian Ron smooths out the first section of the back patio.
(I know there's a technical term for what he's doing here, but I don't remember what
they call it.)
The concrete gets troweled, crack control joints are put in place, and later on, Ron
sprays off the surface with a hose to expose the agragate underneath.
Our first look at the exposed agragate texture. This will be sealed in a couple weeks
to give it a matte finish shine that will enhance the color of the rocks.
The front patios on either side of the entrance. The 3' tall walls will be 2' in front of
the patios and tall plants will be planted between the patio and walls to provide
privacy. There will be a 6' wide walkway with 2 low step-ups leading to and 11' x 11'
center entrance patio, which will be under the 15' high dormer roof that will replace
the existing roof over the entrance.Click here to go to the next month...
Also visit Don's portfolio site: www.designbutton.com
