- Blog, Extensions, Extensions - External, Extensions - Kitchen, Extensions - Renovating, Extensions - Structural
Walls Are Up!
It is mid winter here, so having no external walls on our kitchen created a strong desire to build the framing and get those walls up ‘post haste’. To this end PC ‘burnt the candles at both ends’ last week, arriving home after work only to turn his hand to building. His ability to create and solve anything as always continues to impress me and I’m always grateful for his talents. When in the midst of a project and your framing gun finally ‘bites the dust’, this of course means you must buy a new one, reporting that PC is most happy with his new gun. (Old gun pictured) The frames were both installed…
- Blog, Extensions, Extensions - External, Extensions - Kitchen, Extensions - Renovating, Extensions - Structural
An Unimpeded View
The weekend before last we began the next phase of our kitchen renovations. After impatiently patiently waiting for weeks our windows finally arrived. Before installing the windows, the external walls of the kitchen needed to be removed so new wall frames to include the windows could be built. Stripping walls back to their studs in our ‘old’ house is always illuminating and is guaranteed to bring forth plenty of comments about old building code practices and dodgy workmanship, the ‘enthusiasm’ is sufficient enough that even the younger children are conversant in head shaking and mutterings about framing and studs or their lack thereof. Take the window above, no supporting beam, the window sag is now explained. Attention…
An Improved Appearance
As last year drew to a conclusion we embarked upon a mammoth month; preparing for and undertaking re-roofing our ‘old house,’ then a whirlwind of events taking us from home, including our oldest Son’s College Graduation, Christmas and holidaying in Sydney. Whilst we were away the two windows for the ‘new’ front wall were delivered. Once home we commenced installing the windows. The new windows help convey an ‘all one house’ appearance, externally there is no longer a big house, little house look about our home. Once the girls had nailed on the bracing, PC and team were able to install the second window. Next task was to measure, cut…
- Blog, Extensions, Extensions - External, Extensions - Renovating, Extensions - Roofing, Extensions - Structural
Roof Completed!
Finally after two long, challenging weeks our roofing is complete! Through days of alternating 40C/104F temperatures and rains we persevered and made it through. Our old house/new house is no longer, it is all one house externally. I’ve already shared the ‘chronicles’ and now for the conclusion. Beams In Place Demolishing The Front Of The House Walls Go Up, Roof Comes Down Trusses Are On! First Stretch of Iron On! Monday thru to the following Thursday In other words a further week and a half After installing the ‘straight stretch’ of iron sheets on the front of the house on the Sunday, PC then had to return to work.…
First Stretch of Iron On
We are owner builders, we’ve been building our home for six years now. Last week we began re-roofing our ‘old house’ though the intense heat of 40C/104F and then the rains have made this major project difficult but we have persevered. I’ve been keeping a record of our ‘chronicles’, so continuing the story. The previous chronicles are: Beams In Place Demolishing The Front Of The House Walls Go Up, Roof Comes Down Trusses Are On! Saturday & Sunday Saturday we began screwing the sarking into place. The race was on to complete this task before the afternoon as my brother D was leaving then. He was an incredible help all week,…
- Blog, Extensions, Extensions - External, Extensions - Renovating, Extensions - Roofing, Extensions - Structural
Trusses Are On!
We are currently re-roofing our ‘old house’. Chronicling the days here for us to remember and for you, those keen to know the details. Thus far in chronological order we have; Beams In Place Demolishing The Front Of The House Walls Go Up, Roof Comes Down Thursday & Friday As Thursday was forecasted to be yet another extremely hot 40C/104F+ day, 6am saw us all awake and beginning to lift the trusses onto the roof, this was a rather exciting moment in the building schedule, trusses have a strong visual impact. The race was on to complete before the weather became unbearably hot outside. As ‘many hands make light work,’ we managed…
Walls Go Up, Roof Comes Down
*Continuing the chronicles of this week as we re-roof our ‘old house’. Tuesday & Wednesday After demolishing the front of our house, the next task was to install the front wall frame and pull down the existing roof. We began this task Monday afternoon only to run into our first ‘glitch’, besides the intense heat and rain that is. Anytime old materials are involved when building/renovating it’s guaranteed the job will take longer, sometimes it’s a minor job, sometimes a major one. When double checking all was ‘good to go’ for installing the front wall, PC discovered the supporting joists under the front of the house was only a single, whereas today’s building…
- Blog, Extensions, Extensions - External, Extensions - Renovating, Extensions - Roofing, Extensions - Structural
Demolishing The Front of The House
The long, anticipated week has finally arrived, we are re-roofing our ‘old’ house! The wall frames and trusses have arrived, the beam is in position and only light rain is predicated. In preparation we moved four rooms of belongings, including 8000 books into the other end of the house. PC took the week off work and we are forging ahead. Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday First preparation task was to pull down the front wall, this will enable us to build the wall to the same height as the ‘new house’, resulting in one continual wall and roof line. Internal walls of the front two rooms were gutted, previously our study and learning room,…
- Blog, Extensions, Extensions - Deck/Verandah, Extensions - External, Extensions - Roofing, Extensions - Structural
Beams in Place
Building work on the roof has begun in earnest, firstly however preparations had to be completed. PC measured, cut and painted these posts in readiness for the beam to go up, the beam will be load bearing for the trusses. Working with old houses is never smooth sailing, it took time for PC to find the point to measure from. It is essential for the supporting beam to be the correct height and level for the trusses. Ready and waiting for the big day when the trusses go on. Related Reading: Demolishing The Front Of The House Walls Go Up, Roof Comes Down Trusses Are On!
- Blog, Extensions, Extensions - Deck/Verandah, Extensions - External, Extensions - Roofing, Extensions - Structural
Chances Of Roofing Have Improved
You know for certain that ‘it’s really going to happen’ when the materials start arriving:):) Front wall here, ready made for speed. The walls all have to be ‘built up’ higher to match. Always soo exciting when you can see the next stage of a project is closer to being a reality. Though beginning to be a little daunted when I realise that the girls and I are going to have to hoist these ‘babies’ up to our waiting team on the roof. Praying now it doesn’t rain for the last two weeks of November. *Sharing with Nicole and Bec over at The Builder’s Wife
- Blog, Extensions, Extensions - Deck/Verandah, Extensions - External, Extensions - Renovating, Extensions - Structural
Demolishing the Old Laundry
Finally the big day for which we’d been long working towards arrived, the day to pull down our old laundry, this will be replaced with a verandah, thus wrapping our verandah from one end of the house to the other. There were many eager hands to help with the demolition even the youngest two insisted on being given loads of timber to carry. We began ripping off strips and weather boards on the outside, internally the linings and plumbing hardware were removed, windows were gently taken out with the intent to recycle for another project. Once the inside was gutted the pace picked up, …
