Since our last update we've made good progress on the cabin. We finished framing the screen porch. Mkay pre-stained all the cedar 6x6 and 4x4 posts. They are so beautiful that we've altered our plans. Originally we were planning to simply staple the screen to the outside and trim with 1x4 cedar. The posts are so beautiful we cannot cover them up. Instead we will make framed screens to inset into each opening. We'll install them next spring since our bug season is over for the year.
Roof! Roof! Yes ... we now have our metal roof installed on the cabin and porch. We hired this job done. The transformation was amazing, finally removing the 2x4 roof cleats and seeing a finished roof. The color is "burnished slate" and we love how it settles into the surrounding forest. At the same time, with help from Dave, we completed the metal soffit and fascia. We took advantage of the lift from the roofing contractor, which made our work considerably easier!
We are now installing siding on the cabin! We chose a hand hewn siding from Cedar Creek. Essentially it is an expensive 2x10 that is hand hewn and has a rabbet joint between courses. We purchased the siding pre-finished to save us LOTS of time this fall, and hopefully get the siding up before winter sets in.
Again we took advantage of the lift (thanks Tom!) to install siding on the cabin gable ends. Honestly I'm not sure how we would have tackled the siding above the porch without the lift. We used the lift along with a section of extension ladder that we padded with foam and used ladder hooks over the porch roof peak to install the siding. Mark also created another DHFDF (Do Hickey For Dumb F....) jig, which helps to space the courses of siding and hold a section in place for installation. To install, we nail through the top rabbet and face screw trim head screws on the bottom of the course.
We hired out the spray foam insulation. We're building a non-ventilated roof so we applied 6" of closed cell polyurethane foam to the underside of the roof sheathing (R42) and 3" (R21 for the math impaired) in the upper gable end walls as well as the cabin rim joist and corners. Since we are on solar electrical we cannot run an air exchanger. Instead we will install batt insulation in the walls and utilize passive air exchange to control humidity and air quality. BTW ... spraying foam insulation is a NASTY job ... don't even think of this as a DIY project. Stop ... consider the source of that last statement and read it slowly ... don't even think of doing spray foam yourself.
Polly Wally Doodle! Mkay has been busy applying Helmsman polyurethane to the interior of all the windows and doors. She was not pleased when she found out her "anal retentive" husband wanted FOUR coats of poly with light sanding between coats. Truth be told Mark is such a putz with a brush that he's restricted from being within 20 feet of an open can of polyurethane. (MK inserted comment here: Mark CANNOT be left alone with a can of poly and a brush!)
For some reason our help felt our driveway needed a bit of repair?? It was in pretty bad shape after all the construction traffic (we'll spare you the "before" picture). We're having "pit run" trucked in and spread. If you recall our driveway is just shy of a mile long ... uff da ... the driveway is soft but it will settle over time.
We also completed the plumbing supply lines. Sounds impressive ... but there are only 4 hot and 6 cold supply lines. We used 1/2" Pex A tubing and home runned all the plumbing to the mechanical room to hot/cold manifolds, which will allow us to control water to each device. We also have the plumbing vents nearly completed. The plumbing drains remain along with the final connection to our septic. Mark continues to study the #1 rule of plumbing ... shit flows downhill ... eventually he will figure it out!
We have our electrical layout, main panel installed, electrical boxes installed, and we'll continue to pull wire when Mother Nature is not cooperating for exterior work.
Keeping with tradition here is our latest crew photo! But we blew the selfie and omitted Mkay :^(
When we are not up north we are busy preparing for the next trip or working on smaller projects. One set was fun so we made three ...
Lessons Learned:
- Mark cannot be left alone with a can of poly and paintbrush.
- If you prefer round chimney pipe do not order online.
- Don't even think of doing spray foam insulation yourself. Even IF you are successful you will not live long enough to enjoy the finished project!
- Confucius say, man who leaves with four unsecured strips of polystyrene in back of truck may arrive at destination with fewer than anticipated.
We hope you enjoy the blog!!
M&M
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