Insulation Prep

 Here's the present state of the exterior. The siding has been ordered and will be going on soon. In the interior the wiring and plumbing has been done, but nothing is connected yet (outlets, taps, etc)

The wife and I spent last Sunday cutting sheet for the cellulose fiber insulation and stapling it to the stud wall. Rather than a manual stapler, we used a pneumatic one connected to the compressor. I must say it was very accurate, fast and easy on the wrists. Definitely worth the $50. We'll be finishing up the insulation prep. this weekend. The following weekend the insulation will be blown in and then the carpenter will put up the gyproc. Not much longer until we can move in.

 This is the current situation in the interior. The plumbing was being done today and seems close to being finished. The electrician is coming tomorrow and I should be able to attach the sheet for the cellulose insulation as early as Thursday. Supposedly, the beam running up the center of the ceiling in the above image will be the wall for the loft where the kids' rooms will be. There will be a loss of light and the space below will feel smaller, but what are you going do... I've been told the loft space will be very uncomfortable in summer. I should also mention that the loft will be made after inspection. Legally, it can't be included in the official plans.

 Both the east and west, first and second floors have these sliding balcony doors. These particular ones open onto nothing and will probably be like that until I construct a deck. It promises to be a herculean undertaking.

 The house has been covered in a Tyvek-type sheet. Under it is a material that resembles MDF, but is actually made from volcanic ash. The roofing finished up yesterday, except for the "chimney".

This is the "chimney" which will house the stovepipe. For the time being the carpenter will cap the opening with flashing and when the stove is installed in the fall, the exterior collar will be attached. I will be given the honor of cutting a large hole in the first floor ceiling when the time comes.

House raising

The dark clouds in the background didn't unleash their fury until the contractor and his crew of workers just about had the rafters on. Then they called it a day. An interesting, though seemingly waning custom here, is to give a gift of money ($100 for the contractor and $30 each for the other workers) on the day of raising the frame. We did it, even though the contractor said we didn't have to unless we really wanted to.  

Workspace

This wonderful place is a warehouse owned by the contractor's father, who he works with, and so graciously lend to me for free. Yay! There's no electricity (I have to run two 30 meter power reels to the contractor's house) or water hooked up as it's scheduled to be torn down this summer.

Here was the prototype for the door frames. These pipe clamps are indispensable. I can't believe I didn't splurge and get them years ago. The joint is just a simple rabbet made with a router. I doubt I could handle anything more challenging and anything less would be disappointing. The frames will be finished tomorrow and after that on to the doors and cabinets.  

Staging and post and beam delivery

Of course a lot of stuff is outsourced, but from what I could tell the contractor put up his own staging. The post, beam, bracing and rafters were all precut by a company which specializes in such work.