LET THERE BE LIGHT!

Howdy Y'all!

We have windows! 

The Anderson Window technicians arrived yesterday with a truckload of glass and started putting the window sections together. We were actually surprised to learn that each large window is separately made to preserve the integrity of the bonding (each window has an inert gas between the panes that acts as an 'insulator'). The frames are then attached together to form the entire window structure. (Somehow we missed all of that in the showroom discussion, but all is well.) They also don't make 10 foot windows in one complete piece (or none that we were willing to pay for!), so much of the time was spent assembling the biggies. There are three small sunlight windows that are up at 24 feet high in the Great Room, and we couldn't get any of the technicians to commit as to who was going up there to install those, but someone ended up doing it. (We'll warn you in advance - this could get pretty boring looking at doors and windows, but what the heck!)

Upper Great Room skylights

Exterior (duh!) Great Room French Doors w/upper skylights

Interior view of the same French doors (missing one)

Dining Room window (as opposed to a door)

With the number of arches in this house, you would think this is a church! All that's missing is the local priest.

One of the Master Bedroom windows

Alongside the window guys this week we also have the plumbers poking pipes through wall studs. (Do any of you remember when pipes were galvanized or copper instead of PVC?) Between vent pipes, hot and cold water pipes, drains, outdoor faucets, etc., it is starting to look like a maze of pipes. One thing we learned a long time ago was to take pictures of every single wall that has a pipe in it (for future reference when you drive a picture nail through one of them. Yep, been there, done it.) 

Okay, enough plumbing pictures. If you've seen one, you've seen them all.

As if we didn't already have a number of people working in the house, the HVAC guys arrived and started unloading the three air conditioning systems that will go into the house. Ours will be a tight fit for the systems since we do not have a 'second' story. (Note to self in the future - make sure that the architect leaves enough attic space so that the installation crew doesn't need to become contortionists in order to get the systems in.) The more technical reason, however, is that Spanish tile roofs cannot be over a certain pitch in order not to disrupt the integrity of the tile installation, normally a 5:12 pitch. While our roof is high, it isn't necessarily steep, unless you happen to fall off of it. This means that the roof pitch, along with high ceilings, makes for tight attic crawl spaces. What looks good on the architect's plan doesn't necessarily work in a real build plan, but we are thankfully okay.

And, along with the window folks, the HVAC crew, and the plumbers, we also had the roofing team (well, two guys) up laying roof felt and the 'ice and water armor'. (Great marketing-speak!). This is the undercoating of any roof, and I'm told could probably last for a few years without the tile. Roofing technology has come a long way in the last few years, such that 50 year warranties are now pretty commonplace. (Jan and I are hanging around for the next 50 years just to get our monies worth and see if the roof really does last that long!) 

This next picture is a two inch aluminum circle that is used to hold the roofing material on the roof (the black stuff). The roofer places this, and a roofing staple, on the roofing felt to attach the felt to the roof. There is a technical reason they use this, but I haven't had it explained to me yet. (The picture looks like a moon in deep space. Cool!)

But Wait, There's More....

We ran across this guy (not literally) this morning grazing on our dirt driveway. Normally, the steers move when they are approached by a car, but Brutus decided to stand his ground and stare me down. Okay, we finally moved the car...

That's all for now.

See ya later.

John and Jan

"ROOF","ROOF"! SAID THE DOG...

Howdy Y'all!

Yes, Fido, we have a roof deck! It's done! (Well, almost done.) And, just in time. Last week we had 4.5 inches of rain in three days, which conveniently filled up all of the showers and media room depressions in the house, and that meant draining 300+ gallons of water with a ShopVac. Not a preferred use of two hours on Saturday.

Great room ceiling, finally!

There hasn't been a lot of 'bloggable' activity during this time, given that all of the effort has been in some of the most time-consuming, but slow moving, construction. The main effort during the last week has been building the fascias, soffits, and laying the roof decking.

Along with the completed roof decking, the fascia and soffits  have been installed (the fascia is what you hang rain gutters off of). The soffits (underneath) are five inch cedar tongue-in-groove, which is a time consuming installation, particularly in 100 degree summer weather. It is amazing how this installation creates such a completed look along the roof-line.

Scabbing the stringers to the rafters (construction talk :-)

Attaching the fascia boards to the rafter stringers

Completing a run of fascia and soffit boards over the main garage.

Completed soffits

We have really been impressed with the craftsmanship, workmanship, and just plain hard work the Rodriquez framing team has put in building our home. These are the guys (most of them) that have spent the last six weeks turning a concrete slab into a house. (They asked me if this picture was going to be on Facebook.)

The Rodriquez framing, sheathing and decking team

The following pictures are the completed project up to this point. Next week windows get installed, plumbers start laying pipe, HVAC goes in, and the electricians start hanging  lighting cans and switches. It's going to get busy!

Finished entry waiting for masonry

Rear panoramic view from the back

Detached garage and apartment view (back)

Detached garage and apartment (front)

Remember the forest of wood we had at the beginning of the framing? Here is literally the last of it before they put the decking on. 

Every good project has to have a 'boss'. Jan making sure the framing crew is alert and hopping to it!

The Boss

That's it! See ya later.
- John and Jan - 

THE BIG GREEN THING

Howdy Y'all!

As you will see, most of the green siding is up, and Jan and I have made the difficult decision to forego the exterior stone and stay with a simple green paint over the siding. We feel strongly that it blends well with the trees and surroundings, and ultimately will better reflect the value of the surrounding ranches and nature. Being eco-friendly and just staying with the green siding will work well with our new personal vegan food approach as well. The next picture really represents what the overall look and color will be now once the house is completed. We are really excited!

Our new green look!

Gotcha! Okay, raise your hand if you believed us. :-) Anyone who knows us knows our penchant for Texas BBQ, so even if the house stayed green, the vegan thing ain't happening! (Don't worry, neighbors, there will be stone, and BBQ!)

We are now closing in on completing all of the siding, with cedar roof rafters next, and then the same roofing material (except 7/8", not 5/8" like the siding). We'll try and 'walk' you around the house now that the siding color provides some definition. What you see below is the Media Room, with a niche for a water fountain. The niche will be arched at 10 feet (still to be framed), but there won't be a water fountain that big. (I'm thinking of a kid peeing, but I suspect Jan has more of a lion's head in mind. We'll see who prevails. Our main hope is that the cattle won't see it as a water trough.)

Media Room outside niche for a fountain effect

As we continue to move to the right, the Dining Room is now visible. (I tried to use a wide angle lens, but given the trees, the house appears distorted.) The window will also have an arch (remember our arch thing?)  

Dining Room and Prep Kitchen (extreme right)

At this point, we are looking back at the Prep Kitchen and Dining Room, with the large gluelam beam representing what will be the top of the arch of a motor court into the separate garages. (Is anyone following all of this?)

Motor Court and Main Garage

We now swing around the Detached Garage from the back of the motor court (kinda sounds like an old motel). As we've mentioned before, this garage will have an apartment over it (framing is visible in the top left of the lower picture). We actually said it was for unruly grandkids, but it is also for a caretaker when Jan and I are too old to boogie for ourselves, or whichever comes first.

Detached Garage and Apartment

View of the detached garage from the back of the house

Moving around again, we get to the Guest Room suites. (Carlos, you can pick whichever room you want.) These are intended for all of you to use, so we expect to have some visits, however, there will be a 3-day maximum for each room. (Just kidding!) This picture obviously shows a lot of concrete, but we will be using landscaping fill to bring the grade back up to about the midway point. 

Guest Suites view from the back of the house

At this point, you can see the that the green siding really provides more definition to the back of the house. Our plan is to have a pool deck start at the end of the Guest Suites (extreme left side of the main house) and wrap around to the other end of the patio (where the woodpile currently rests). I used a wide angle lens, so it may again look a bit distorted to get the complete picture.

Rear view of the almost completed Green Thing

Do you remember El Gato from one of the last blog posts? Well, this is his brother (really!) who is called El Ardillo (The Squirrel) because of his skill in climbing the rafters that his brother has built. Both work for the same company, but  have different skills in the framing and sheathing process. A nice guy as well.

El Ardillo!

Now, the point of all of this is for each of you to feel completely at home when you visit us. You'll have the complete history of the project (yes, there will be a test), and Jan and I don't have to repeat it all each and every time. :-)

Lastly, we tried to take a decent picture of what will be a Groin Vault ceiling (don't even ask about the name 'cause we have no idea) in the Dining Room. We're intrigued by how they will complete this look in the plastering process. 

That's all for now! See ya later!

- John and Jan - 

WE'RE BAAAACK.......

Howdy Y'all!

Yes, we're back! We've just spent a very fun (and cooler) week in the Northwest visiting family and friends, but lest we forget, we hope all of you had a wonderful, and safe, July 4th holiday! We certainly did.

GasWorks Park fireworks over Lake Union in Seattle 
(Courtesy of Macenzie Photo from her rooftop patio)

As you can see, quite a bit of progress has been made on the house during our absence. (Think the builder is trying to tell us something?) We've put together a number of detail photos to share which are starting to bring out the 'personality' of the Texas Tuscan style we are going for. (Okay, I have no idea what Texas Tuscan is, but Jan and the architect do.) Most of the interior framing is complete along with the roof trusses, sheathing is now starting, and the stringer scabs for the soffets and facias have been delivered. The biggest change is that the detached 3-car garage is now in framing stage.

Green Detached Garage to the left of the pic

We are using a new product called "ZIPsystem" to wrap the house; it is the green covered exterior wallboard that you will see in the pictures. Once the house is completely sheathed in the material, they then come in and literally tape all of the seams. Theoretically, this is supposed to make the house airtight from a thermal perspective. Whether it really works is another story, but we are the fifteenth house the builder has used this process on, and the material has a 30 year warranty. He thinks it works well. In any case, at least it looks cool.

Ya gotta like green!

The detached garage will have an apartment as a second story (for unruly grandkids!); the peaked roof still has to be framed over the windows that are showing. This garage will also have a tornado 'safe room' of reinforced concrete block, just in case (note to self - stock with wine!). 

The next pic starts to show the green ZipSystem more clearly. This is going to be strange having a green house before the masonry is applied to the outside of the house.

Detached garage

Our next task is picking out the stone and stucco colors for the exterior of the house, finishing all of the interior stone, tile and cabinet selections, and design.

This next picture below is from the back of the Motor Court facing the driveway entrance. Once this is completed, we'll fill the level in to the height of the existing concrete with a small wall at this end. (Gotta keep from driving off the end after one of the Bridlewood Ranch parties.) The entrance at the front will actually feature an arch, which still needs to be framed in.

Motor Court between the two garages

View of the Motor Court from the front of the house

So, if you haven't figured it out yet, this house has a bunch of arches. Something to do with the Tuscan thing. But, when you start, you have to keep going!

Great Room arch facing the Kitchen

Dining Room niche with
Groin Vault ceiling

Barrel Vault and arch

Are you sick of arches yet? Well, now you get to see what is commonly called 'bump ups'! These will give us an opportunity to provide recessed lighting and 'mood'.

Raised ceilings in the Breakfast Area

This next picture is the final framing for the dome of the Powder Room. You have to really appreciate the craftsmanship of the framers and what they can do with wood. Totally amazing to us!

Powder Room arched dome

That's it for now. Hopefully the next blog post will have our green house fully sheathed and roofed ready for the window and door installations.

But Wait, There's More....

While we were in Seattle, we luckily got to be the first guests at Macenzie's and Beau's new home on Queen Anne. Beau built a beautiful set of contemporary homes overlooking Lake Union with extraordinary views. Great home, great location!

Macenzie and Jan (missing Beau)

View from the top deck patio overlooking Lake Union. (Courtesy of Beau Photo).

We also stayed with our great friends, Beth and Gene Morel, at their home on Lake Sammamish for the July 4th celebration.

Casa Morel on Lake Sammamish.

Stitched panoramic view from the dock.

And last, but not least, while we were there we went over to Ste. Michele winery and rocked to the Robert Plant (minus Led Zeppelin) concert. Very 70s crowd!

Gene, Jan and Beth (after a couple of bottles of wine. I was totally sober).

That's all for now. See ya later!
- John and Jan -