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Thought I'd let you know -
The job is pretty much done.
>>>Scheduled a framing crew last night to extend the deck and build a roof over it for screen porch.
Screen porch completed - also screened the floor joists underneath. Over built the extension to support a hot tub.
Also put roof over about 30' of additional decking, rebuilt handrails, steps and added a handicap ramp.
>>>Considering timberline green 40 year shingles.
Installed 50 yr shingles and five large skylights.
>>>Selected a shaker style hickory cabinet for kitchen and a blue granite top, if the shop can get enough, soon enough.
The ladies I love, love the new kitchen...need I say more?
>>>The existing cabinets are going to the huge laundry room to create storage. A few will go to the 12x24 workshop cabin for storage and additional work top.
Done
>>>We have had excellent results with PERGO in last 2 homes. This time she picked out a Pergo style
Actually went with a similar Armstrong product highly recommended by the best flooring retailer in town. Looks great.
Kept the original pine floors in the family room and kitchen. Refinished they are quite warm looking and add to the lodge feeling. Nn carpet except for a beautiful area rug under the dining table.
>>>The 3 finished basement rooms are getting "allure" vinyl flooring in the rustic pattern, available only at Home Depot.
Done - easy to install.
>>>Also moving a couple of walls to rearrange bathrooms, increase shower stall size, increase closet size, etc.
Done - Gutted both bathrooms and master BR to studs, moved walls, went with large shower and no tub in master. Incorporated extra space into the walk in closet.
Opened guest bathroom for a 3' door and installed a rated handicap tub and shower unit by Kohler.
>>>Planning to use Pella triple glazed windows and sliding patio door set in Hunter green, metal clad, exterior and natural finish interior.
Kept original windows. I did not know they were Pella originals. A little rehab and new hardware, still available, and they are fine. Did go with the new Pella patio door to screen porch.
>>>All interior doors will likely be replaced with natural finish solid pine doors.
Found a new knotty pine doors at Lowes. They are 2 panel, arched top, with vertical slats about 3-4 inches wide. Installed throughout with brushed nickel european style hardware. Beautiful improvement.
>>>Baseboards throughout are 1x6 pine. Will add a base cap to that. Doors and windows need new new casing.
Did use base cap. Instead of replacing original casing, I just added backband (from Lowes). It dressed everything up nicely, but kept the old style.
>>>Picked up stone brochures yesterday. Plan to cover the large brick fireplace in river rock or stacked stone and redo the entry facade in stacked stone.
Went with natural river rock from Tennessee on Fireplace in and out and foundation all around. Huge visual difference. My oldest grandson (18) learned how to be a stone mason on this project.
>>>Basement is only a 1/2 basement. Sealing and insulating remaining crawl space. That is the only part of the house that is not already exceptionally well insulated.
Trying to decide about solar H2O heater.
Went with tankless water heater for now. Old system used an 80 gallon electric tank...whew.
Finished sealing and insulating the crawl space last week.
Installed a wireless remote relative humidity and temperature gauge. Temperature under the house is now staying within 1-3 degrees of upstairs. The difference was 30 degrees. Notice biggest difference walking on floors in barefeet.
Also doubled attic insulation. One wood stove heats all 3,000SF. Have about 10-11 cords of wood cut and split from a few sick trees we cut down. Geo-thermal HVAC system provides heat when I don't use wood stove.
>>>Would like to work in a few log details but haven't figured that out yet.
Picked up a beautiful red cedar log in Virginia. It is now the fireplace mantle and frames for master bath mirrors.
>>>Have info coming on large solar recharged battery packs.
Solar is a project for next year.
Did change all the lights to LED or CFL. Exterior lights in garden etc are solar LED. Used LED under kitchen counter.
>>>My end goal is to be able to function comfortably off-grid, if we choose to or have to.
First three monthly utility bills were in the $250-300 range.
Last month was $92. I expect the most recent changes to bring that down to about $60. And that puts the kind of solar system needed in the very affordable range.
Have hooked up a 5kw generator for now for emergency power outages.
The best part of this area are my neighbors. Smallest lots out here are 5 acres so lots of room. All outdoorsmen and warm kind hearted folks. Recently built a large firepit outside. Made seating from logs we cut from trees earlier in summer. Had local welder make a steel liner and grate. Neighbors and grand kids love to sit around a fire and chat, toast marshmallows etc.
Am now cutting a nice trail along the creek and through brambles to the lake...about 300 yards to a beautiful, flat, level lakeside spot to watch sunset from. Will need to make some benches for that.
Planted 2 pear and 2 persimmon trees to go with apples, peaches and berries. We have enough blueberries, tomatoes, onions, peppers, beans, lemon grass, etc. put up from the garden to last the winter. 4 kinds of lettuce, collards, cabbage and garlic growing now.
All 7 grandkids luv helping with everything. I built a framed 3x5 garden spot for each and let them grow whatever they want. They are really getting into it. Next summer we will teach them simple canning. |
