Moved Kitchen

We took a big step and moved the old kitchen into the new addition temporarily until we build cabinets and buy some appliances. Worked out pretty well. The sink area was in the same configuration as the new one so fit well. The old peninsula became the new island. Everything else just found a place. By making this move, we can complete the electrical and plumbing in the old part of the house so we can get our last rough inspections. Once that is complete, we can start finishing the entire house. Thanks to Tim Cole for coming up for the weekend to help us.

Railing on Loft

Now have the center portion of the loft railing complete. Hope to have the rest the drywall up in the addition this week and then possibly move the kitchen next weekend.

Finished High Up Drywall and Staining

This week we finished using the scaffolding to put the sealer on the timber frame and put up the drywall in the high areas. Also installed a fan the the electrical for the two lights that are way up there.

Putting on the wood sealer

Last few days have not been very eventful but have been productive. Now have the clear wood preservative on 80% of the high ceiling and timber frame. Only have the scaffolding one more week so focusing on everything high.

First Update (and last) for 2010

We'll, finally getting to spend some serious time working on the addition. Although we have made some progress over time, just now feeling like we might getthis done.

On the exterior, we have completed the roof on the addition and the channel siding (still have some rock and shingle siding to do).

Inside we are working on the ceiling and walls. Have most the high ceiling in and starting to apply the clear wood preservative.

The Radiant floor heating system is in and working for the entire house. So far has been working great.

The new laundary room, pantry, and master bedroom rooms are framed in. Hard to show a picture since just looks like a bunch of studs. Do have a picture of the rough plumbing for the laundary room.

Made some good progress while Uncle Moe was in town. Completed the loft floor and wall, built the aluminum pans for the window installation and installed a water resistent wall in the utility room. Thanks alot Moe.

Since then, have mostly just been watching the snow build up. See photos. Really don't need a ladder anymore to get onto the roof.

Has been a while since last update for good reason. Really have not done that much. Working on plumbing, electrical and some interior items. Thanks to Louise (Renee's mom) for helping out with loft floor installation and pulling wire for the kitchen electrical. We also got all the soffit cedar material stained during one warm day (the only day that has been over 40 deg since November). Will start to install that as weather get s better (at least around freezing).

Progress has slowed to a crawl over the holidays (somewhat intentional, some due to really cold temperatures). Plumbing and electrical contiues to get done. Garage Doors were installed on Dec 31st. Still need some decorative hardware but look pretty good. Wood on doors is same as siding will be on house (vertical on doors, horizontal on house). See photo.

So progress has seemed slow although we continue to get work done. Inspections on the new power panel are complete (and approved). Still waiting for Xcel Energy to come and switch our main power from one panel to to other. This will be a fun day because we lose all our heat and lighting until I rewire the old panel (good to have a generator and a wood stove). Now have the stairs installed so can access the house through the garage. Work now is aimed at getting the rough electrical, plumbing and mechanical complete so we can get the next round of inspections completed (then we can start to do some insulation). Windows should show up on the 18th. Garage doors should be about the same time. Pictures are of stairs, utility room in garage, and the new table saw.

Well, just got closed in before it snowed again. Got about 4 inches last night. Roof is covered with rubber ice and water shield although windows are just covered with plastic. Hope to get the windows in a couple of weeks.

Good progress, and none to soon. 50% chance of snow for Monday. Roof is not completely sheathed but better than nothing. The framer hoped to be done today but just taking longer than estimated (nothing new). Pictures of tubing are the radiant floor heat we are retrofitting into the existing house (in the crawlspace).

Great weather has allowed good progress on the framing. A 3 man crew has been working for 8 days now and is about 60% complete. Weather looks good for another week so hope to have the roof on and covered.Timber framer is complete except for some sanding and touch up work. Probably won't get the windows in till mid December.

Starting to get some walls. Hope to have the roof on in about 10 days, none to soon. Have had pretty good weather but see the one picture of snow on the timberframe.

Timber frame raising is complete. Here is a picture of it all put together. Material was delivered today for the walls and roof. Framers start on Tuesday. Forecast is for another 8" to 14" of snow tonight and Sunday. Oh well.

About half of the timber frame was raised today. Looks really big! Here is a short video of the raising of the center bent.

Progress continues on the timber frame. The "raising" is scheduled for October 17th and 18th. We are going to have a barbeque and anybody interested is welcome to come watch. Here are a few pictures of the frame construction. The log will be the center post in the greatroom.

I've been a bit delinquent at updating the blog. Progress is being made but is not that visible. The excavator is finally complete backfilling the foundation. We had to bring in 7 trucks of fill (after hauling out over 30 since we had no place to store). The timber framer is about 50% complete preparing the timber frame. He is hoping to raise it around October 15th. We did get the power lines, well power, comcast, quest, and the propane lines buried as well. Propane tank will be delivered on Wednesday. The material for the radiant heating system will begin showing up so we can retrofit the existing house. Overall have had great weather. Did get about 2" of snow one day but was gone the next. We are also trying to contract to get the roof and remaining walls framed so that we are closed in before any big snows.

Timber framer starts on Tuesday (I hope). Here are a few pictures showing some details of the garage level framing including cantelevered deck over garage; utility room area; steel beam, post, and joist hangers in garage; stairwell framing;

Starting to finish the garage level. Hope to get the timber framer started this week. Got some snow this week (winter is coming)!

Thanks alot to my brother Jeff for helping get the 24ft 2x12's up on the deck.

Finally starting to look like something. Installed the main beam today. Renee became the reach fork truck driver. Will be framing the rest of the garage level this week.