Hardie Hiccup & A Puppy

After 5 dog-less years we broke down and got a puppy.  We picked her up on Sept 15th and her name is River.  She is a Viszla, and 8 weeks old when we brought her home.  She has already been out to the project a few times and seems to be enjoying herself.  Actually, she is ALWAYS enjoying herself - it's Berta and Me that feel any suffering!  It's like having another baby in the house - a baby that bites and doesn't wear diapers.

 The framers also started putting the Hardie Plank and Panel onto the exterior of the garage and home.  There are no problems with the plank, but the panel install was wrong.  The panels are supposed to be installed in a reveal finished.  That is, there is suppose to be a gap, or channel, between each panel.  But these were being installed with a plastic H-channel between the boards.  Not the look we are after plus it's not good for water management on the boards.  Luckily we caught it before too much was installed.  They also installed the front window below the stairs and we were bummed to see it was broken.  There was a large trim molding around the window and the flashing material didn't look right either...

We were clear that we didn't want window trim and preferred the Hardie panel to fit right against the window frame, and that is the finish that is called out on the drawings.  So, we had a reset this week with the build: wrong panel hardware, wrong window flashing, and 1 broken window out of 1 installed.

The good news is we have a new Superintendent on the job.  If you couldn't surmise by the tone of some of my posts we have been underwhelmed with the previous super.  And I am thrilled to say we now have a fantastic guy on the job.  Technically competent, tons of experience with non-traditional architecture and a great communicator.  In 2 days he has put corrective actions in place for every issue.

We had the framers lower this window 10".
  The window is 8' wide by 4.5' high.

On the plus side, the rest of the house has been clad in Zipp board and the ceiling trusses are in place on the 2nd floor.  We also asked the framers to lower the larger picture window in the kitchen by 10".  I felt it was fine as is, but I am Sasquatch size.  Now that it is lower I agree we did the right thing.   We also love the boxed-out look of the roof soffit.  This was a major contributor in the framing delay.  We ended up using trusses to define the space versus framing out the overhang.  The effect is the same and it avoided a lot of framing cost due to scaffolding and materials.  Here are a few more photos, more updates to come!

Hardie Panel with Tamlyn H-Channel.  Soffit looks great.

View from bedroom window.

Exterior Update

So much can happen in 2 weeks!  I'll need to spread it out in a few posts... The framing continued and we are thrilled with the look and feel of the house.  As the second floor has taken shape we have gotten a feel for the size of the bedrooms and bathrooms.  After a year of staring at floor plans it is truly rewarding to see the spaces take shape.

The house as you approach from the road.

Front of the house.  The bump-out to the left will be Hardie Plank, and the rest will be Hardie smooth panel.

Temporary stairs in place. 

The large beams are in place to support the breezeway roof.

South end of the house.  You can see the stairs on the left.

North end of the house.

Rear of the house.  The header for the upper and lower window is in place.  The same window scheme is used in all 4 bedrooms across the back.

Framing Continues

We went back out to the site this weekend.  Progress continues - they have started framing the 2nd floor, installed some temporary steps and started the breezeway.  Snapped a few pictures shown below.  We actually crab-crawled up the stairs to get a sneak peak of the 2nd floor view.  The view was breathtaking, but the process was heart-racing for Berta.  Once she arrived at the top she lost her mind thinking she would never get back down.  There were several minutes of drama as we coached her back down.  I also need to introduce the dog, Travis.  He belongs to one of the neighbors and comes over to say hi every time we visit.  He is the size of a bear, but gentle, and always hunting for belly rubs.

Garage

Berta ascending the temporary stairs and remembering her extreme fear of heights.

View from 2nd floor...lake water MIA

Looking down the house from the mud room.  The short wall is where the kitchen island will be.

Addie hanging with Travis, the bear dog.

Standing in the slider opening contemplating the stairs.

Gavin and Addie ready to take your order in the kitchen.

Temporary Stairs - final install will be steel with PSL treads.

Front door

Panoramic house shot.

Time Lapse #3

Sticks are Going Up

Can I get an AMEN?!  Well, they have finally started framing the house.  We knew they could do it, and we're very proud of our little builder's ambitious start.  Kidding aside, we are all happy to be underway again.  Not a ton to talk about but we took some photos this weekend.  Windows show up on site later this week so we hope the progress continues.  More to follow - we hope.

Thanks iPhone Panoromic photos.  Garage on the left and the first floor to the right.

Alex and Gav standing in front of mud room entrance.  Camera shot is from the garage.

Berta in the sunken living room in front of one of the 12' x 8' slider openings.

Alex standing where the kitchen island will be.

Alex in the powder room doorway. 

If there is a pile, stack or something dangerous the kids have to investigate.  In cowboy boots, of course.

The Front Door

Camera shot from the front door heading down into the sunken room.

Wanna Be Startin Somethin