Project in Progress

 A week's worth of work was on hold because of bad weather as well as an interruption by the town building inspector.  Apparently, they now require a permit for new siding -- even though no structural changes were made.  We didn't lose too much over all from that because it happened during a stretch where it was raining like crazy.  Now, however, we are getting a glimpse of how the design is going to come together.  The foam board is up, the corner posts are in place, the soffits are done, and the siding is going on.

 We are loving the blue color.  The original intention was for the bump-out to be all cedar-like siding, but it doesn't appear the supplier ordered enough.  It would take a month to get more and there is no waiting.  This job needs to get done.  The compromise is to do the sides in blue, then see if there is enough left from doing the gable to complete the front of the bump-out.  That should look fine.  We replaced the roofing shingles on the bump out too.

The concrete steps in the back were taken down and new steps built.  These will be a big improvement -- they are wider and deeper.  Before, it was hard to open the door without having to step down and away.  That was especially inconvenient when carrying a tray of food or a basket of laundry -- two things that happen quite a lot!  The outsides of the window and the door will be coiled in grey.  There will be a cedar railing.

We are happy that the color we've chosen closely matches what we had before.  That was a great color and the new siding matches the garage -- which we won't be re-siding this year.  An extra expenditure was new shingles for the porch roof.  They were not horrible, but only had a couple of years left.   Better to do that now when the flashing can go under the siding as it's installed.

This has been a stressful and expensive project, but we are now more than half way through.  A good job is being done and we do expect to see energy savings along with a more attractive appearance.  When it's done, it will look like we are in a new house.  If only our property taxes wouldn't increase from doing it! Oh well, there really is no escaping death or taxes.