Siding - 31 August 2011

We've had a beautiful day for the last day of August. Lots of planing and planning got done today. Michael is making so much sawdust that I've contacted the garden club to see if anyone else needs any for mulch for their flower beds. The lumber looks great and we've started priming and painting it for the trim.

Brad and Colin have planned out all of the next steps, plus the created the soffits for the edge of the mansard roof.

Siding - 30 August 2011

Lots of work got done today, but quite frankly, its hard to see the progress. All of the vapour barrier was taped, so I guess red tape is something new. Also, Michael has been busy planing wood, while Colin and Brad have been figuring out the next steps. They also went to the famous Maurice Bruhm mill to get some pine and it is gorgeous.

Stella, of course, has supervised all activity to ensure quality control!

Siding - 29 August 2011

Hurricane Irene blew pretty heavily, but we were pleased to see that the Firehouse had absolutely no problem weathering the storm. It speaks well for good construction. We're getting ready for the clapboard siding, so today the guys covered the building in vapour barrier and ordered all the supplies they'll need for the siding. All wrapped up it looked like all it needed was a bow to be one big present.

Roofing - 26 August 2011

It's hard to see, but the east-side mansard roof now has all its shingles. The dormer will get done next week - whenever the hurricane is over.

Since a picture of the east side is so hard to get, we thought instead that we would show you how much in line the curve of the mansard roof on the Firehouse is compared to the house. That's how good our heritage carpenters are - they recreate a curve.

Sheathing and Roofing - 25 August 2011

There was a sense of urgency in the air today. The wind blew strongly and with the warnings of a hurricane coming on the weekend, it seemed like we all just wanted to make sure that lots got done in case we had to stop for several days. The guys finished the west-side sheathing and then moved their staging to the east-side in order to start the shingling on the mansard roof. They had to trim a bit more of the Hawthorne and Privet hedge in order to make sure that they could get the staging in and be able to safely move. They were able to get a good start on the underlay, drip edge and shingles on the mansard roof.

Will and I moved a lot of the scrap lumber from the south-side of the building to the basement and a lot of bits and pieces were picked up, put away or put out for recycling. The staging that isn't currently in use got the start of a paint job. All of these various activities were capably supervised by Stella the dog who thinks so highly of all of our work that she lays down and has a nap - when she isn't enjoying little treats.

Clawfoot bathtub was delivered this evening. Its going to be fun to install - it takes five guys to lift it.

Sheathing - 24 August 2011

Most of the west-side wall got sheathed today and the guys finished off the top roof, too.

Sheathing - 23 August 2011

The team did the whole of the east-side wall today and it looks good. Its all on the diagonal to ensure that every angle provides reinforcement to the structure. While they were working hard, we sailed off to see if we could see any whales. How decadent is that?! We spotted some far off and were able to see the water spouts, but never the actual whales. It was a great day, nevertheless.

Roofing & Sheathing - 22 August 2011

Cloudy days are nicer when you are working with black asphalt. However, today was also windy and that made life cooler but had its own challenges. All of the east mansard roof was finished and the sheathing was started on the west-side. The Privet and Hawthorne hedge along the western side are a real hazard when working on that side. The guys have trimmed as much as possible and today they rigged a tarp to cover the hedge that allows them to work without quite as much risk of injury. When it started to rain, I think the tarp even gave them a bit of protection from the elements. I don't have a picture yet showing the east-side, but I'll try to get the official photographer to take one tomorrow.

Roofing - 19 August 2011

Underlay, edging and shingling around the three dormers on the west-side mansard took up the whole day today. Its a lot of detail work, but it looks really good. With black, asphalt shingles you can imagine how hot this work is. Coupled with the fact that this is probably the hottest day we have had so far means that the team was working in less than optimal conditions. Nevertheless, they did a great job.

We are happy to have assistance from many sources. Victoria is visiting and had a chance to experience what paint stripping is like. I have more than enough experience with this, but will keep doing everything I can to help move the project along efficiently, effectively and economically.

Roofing - 18 August 2011

Yesterday, I mentioned that we take our daily pictures facing north, so that it would be difficult to show you what the north side looks like. I should have realized that the master photographer would consider this problem and would solve it. Here you can see the sheathing on the north side, as well as some nice details on the west-side dormers. Today all the underlay on the west mansard was completed and the shingling commenced.

Sheathing and Roofing - 17 August 2011

The guys finished the sheathing on the north wall and then put drip edge and covering on the roof. Of course the photos we have been putting up are taken looking north, so you can't see the north side and you can only see the very edge of the roof.

Instead, for your viewing pleasure, a great shot of a fine bunch of people who do all kinds of good work, both at the Firehouse and elsewhere. Colin Edwards, Brad Quarrie and Michael Murphy of Edwards and Son Restoration.

Sheathing - 16 August 2011

What a beautiful day - warm and sunny! The whole of the south end is now sheathed in tongue and groove hemlock and there's been a good start on the north end, too.

We also dragged the whole 30' by 50' tarp out onto the street behind the house (large flat area was required) in order to wash the dirt off. Granddaughter Thalia was a big help and also did lots of supervision of the work.

Wall Sheathing - 15 August 2011

We have lived in Lunenburg for ten months, as of today. I think we've made a lot of progress during that time and I know we have had an enjoyable time settling in to the community.

The nail gun is still not working, so this morning there was lots of hammering in the old fashioned way. Thankfully, by this afternoon a loaner gun came along that helped the process. The sheathing around the west dormers and all along the western mansard were finished and the sheathing on the rear wall (south wall) was started before the end of the day.

Johnathon Church is a heritage carpentry trainee who has been very helpful with the stripping of paint off of old windows, doors and wood trim. I'm especially thankful to him this week because he allows me the guilt-free time to enjoy a family visit.

Two sons and a daughter, along with two grandkids are visiting this week, so there is lots of helpful supervision. Grandson Amon came out and helped to pick up nails on the Firehouse site, spread wood shavings on the flowerbeds and move leftover wood pieces to the basement.

Roofing - 12 August 2011

Is a mansard a roof or a wall? A roof, I think, but it looks like a wall. The guys finished the west mansard today and they also framed in all of the dormers. They're working so hard that they burnt out the nail gun. Let's hope they can get it fixed.

Roofing - 11 August 2011

The sun came out!! Well, actually it was cloudy most of the day, but it was nice to see the sun at the end of the afternoon. The sheathing on the east mansard roof is done and the west mansard has been started. The challenge on the east wall is definitely going to be the Hawthorne and Privet hedge that risks ripping the team to shreds. It would be nice to be able to figure out a way to protect them from the hedge.

We make sure the guys have snacks so that they can keep their energy high. Today, there were also baked treats from two other people. Its sure good to see happy guys working while on a sugar high!

Roofing - 10 August 2011

It threatened heavier rain all day, but it managed to hold itself down to drizzle on and off until the last hour of the work day. Undaunted, the fearless team, sans Brad, kept adding tongue and groove hemlock all day long and then trimming the edges to make everything look good. And, boy does it ever! They've finished sheathing the roof and have started on the eastern mansard roof.

Roofing - 8 & 9 August 2011

After losing a day to rain on Monday, the guys made up for it Tuesday. First, Castle's truck arrived with supplies for the roofing, then before we could even start to unload, the truck from Maurice Bruhm's mill arrived with 2500 square feet of Hemlock. Luckily, none of us were planning on drinking it!

The team immediately started unloading boards and ferrying them to the second floor and from there putting them on the roof. The Chief of the Firehouse joined the fun and came out to pass lumber to the guys on the roof. By the end of the day, one third of the roof was sheathed with tongue and groove hemlock.

Gardening in the Rain - August 2011

You have to love gardening in the rain. Everything is growing well and transplanting is a dream, if a bit messier than usual. Ah well, I'm not a cookie, I won't melt in the rain

Framing - 6 August 2011

It's Saturday and the crew should be taking a well deserved rest. But, no, they are dedicated and so excited about having a good weather day that they just kept right on working. From 0830 this morning to 845 tonight, they could show the Energizer Bunny how it is done. They didn't stop when it started to rain, nor to enjoy the rainbow when it came out.

What were they so excited about? Its the "curvy bits"! Sounds kind of salacious, doesn't it? But seriously, those side pieces that make a mansard roof into the shape of a mansard roof are quite the engineering feat. We wish they hadn't had to work so hard to get it done, but we are so pleased with how it looks and proud of them for what they have accomplished. Good Job Guys!!

Framing - 5 August

Finally, a day without rain. The gang made good use of the good day to rough in all of the dormers. The Building Inspector was here and signed off on the progress thus far. He seemed pleased and we think it looks great!

Even from a distance you can see our house and the Firehouse nestled behind us. The second picture is taken from the golf course on Kaulback Head.

Framing - 3 & 4 August 2011

The changes aren't as visible as they have been on some other days, but the team is still making great progress while battling rain and thunderstorms. They've reinforced the roof trusses and made almost all of the curved pieces for the mansard roof walls. Its a lot of work that will make a huge difference on the next couple of steps in the construction.

In these photos - Colin Edwards, Brad Quarrie and Michael Murphy.

Framing - 2 August

It kept threatening rain all day and then finally gave us a great sound and light show right at the end of the day. The trusses were delivered and the guys were able to put quite a few of them in. It looks amazing!