Front of addition almost done!

Well, I guess the photos says it all. So far I've been able to do everything from ladders. Thought I'd need a scaffold or a platform/lift, but not yet. That'll come when the cedar shakes are to be added over bedroom/office.

First pieces of siding

Due to the fact that we are not doing just a "squarish" window trim (and caulking the hell out of it), it did take some time to get the trim in place, and then even longer to cut the first strip of siding (on the left side of the window). After that, it was fast to put up the remainder.

Notice that everything is screwed up with 305 stainless steel screws, and that makes it easy to adjust/move/replace pieces down the road. Hopefully not needed, but will the two runs of T&G siding (above and below the window), meet up at the same vertical line to the right of the window (so next full length strip will fit nicely)? This is of course the drawback with T&G compared to using a "board and batten" style of siding, where you can hide more or less any inconsistencies under the batten.
Wife wanted to have a "flat" siding, since she thought the "battens" made it look cheap (females sometimes have strange ideas...), and I really had no other option that to oblige... That "desire" does cost a bit in added installation time.


First section done


Notice the flashing and the angle on the top of the pieces that straddles the trim. Allows for water to shed, and also provides for a groove for the caulk (yes, I will caulk this horizontal section, but this is really the only one).
And possibly overkill, but I have pre-drilled all pieces of trim and siding. Prevents the screw from splitting the boards, and also for the (all visible) screw to nicely line up.


Double flashing over the windows

Asphalt paper and Cedar Breather

First installation of asphalt paper. Under the windows, the asphalt paper is slid up under the Tyvek, to ensure that water can properly "cascade" down the water resistant barrier. Like stated in earlier posts, I assume that water will end up behind the siding, but once there, will be "managed" to ensure that it does not do any harm. So, there are also sheets up "JumboTex" slid up under the Tyvek anywhere the Tyvek has been cut open to allow for installation of metal flashing.

The "mesh" is the famous Cedar Breather that I bought down in Atlanta (being penny wise and dollar foolish).


JumboTex has replaced Tyvek as our "sponsor"...


Close up of Cedar Breather


Cascading "sheets", although not "Style Sheets", which is probably more common to find on a web site...

Asphalt paper, metal flashing, and a Craigslist find!

Due to our Tyvek now been exposed to the elements so long time (20 months?) - and hence rendering this dwelling "the Tyvek House" - I felt it was best and prudent to complement the Tyvek with some good old traditional asphalt paper (60 minutes). And, some claim that Tyvek does not do well with Cedar siding, at least not when they touch. The tannins in the Cedar can break down the Tyvek.

DuPont sort of guarantees Tyvek for three months weather exposure, but even after 20 months no "ill" effects have been detected on our installation - apart from the Tyvek logos being bleached by the sun. No leakages, no rips, no tears. Seem to be holding up quite OK.

But since no one really knows how this Tyvek will perform in 40 years, traditional asphalt paper sort of clears up that issue. Been very thourogh and spent time on getting the new "paper" all the way up under the Tyvek and the flexible window flashing. If there ever will be water, at least it will shed/cascade down the membranes in the right order.

On top of that, the metal flashing under the windows also protrude up under the flexible flashing. Should add a little drawing to indicate how I solved it.

Tomorrow it is time to put up more paper, work on the flashing on top of the windows, and the staple up the "Cedar Breather". If all goes well, window trim should also come up, followed by the first pieces of "real" siding - a historic moment!

When running around for asphalt paper, also picked upo a bunch of 304 grade staineless steel screw at Tacoma Screw, with a handy location not far away from Fast Flashings. I like it when you can shop quality in the neighborhood!

And, instead of running to Lowe's or HomeDepot, I found a perfectly functional miter saw on Craigslist. Didn't even have to drive very far. Maybe not what you're looking at for making an elaborate China cabinet, but more than good enough for window trim and T&G siding.

Flashing maufactured and picked up

Thanks to Scott at Fast Flashings in Kirkland, I got all my pieces nicely manufactured, to my specs, and in my colors., to just about the same cost that it would have been to drive to a big-box store and picking up their (sub par) stock flashing.

Scott and team did an excellent job, cranking out 24 gauge pieces instead of the more common 26 guage.

When it is time to attack the deck and put proper flashing over the ledger board, I know where to go!

Siding delivered!

A tad early (no phone call alarting me, and I was having a nice cup of coffee, reading through the Sunday and Monday papers after a weekend "off-line out on the lake), the big yellow truck showed up with our new siding. Exciting to see how the color REALLY turned out. A small sample of only a foot does not provide any real guidance.

I had to move boat and trailer out of the way, but once those were gone, the truck had a very long boom on his lift, so he could place the package all the way up the drive way, just in front of one of the garage doors.

Spent the rest of the day sorting through the pile and matching lenghts, checking quality of the stain job, and moving everything inside the garage. Funny, the siding will see weather and water for the next 100 years, or how long the house now will stand, but it really should protected before it is "up there".

And the color - yes. Looks REALLY good. Semi-transparent "Redwood" stain is a winner, and with the green window trim, it'll also provide some character, far away from the oh so boring American middle of the road colors of "grey or creme". Colors that really does not stand out at all (no one likes them, no one dislikes them).

I just call them "bland"... Why are people so afraid of a little color?

And, when I must have had a moment of absence (coffee?), the UPS guy showed up cause when I opened the other garage door, two really gigantic boxes with my "cedar breather" had been delivered. The Atlanta effort finally paid off - even though it was more like "paid out"...
All said, UPS did a stellar job in packing these items - but they sure also charged for it, so it should be expected!


On drive way


Sorted and counted


Out of the weather, stacked in the garage according to length


Hmm, there's a lot of wood to be screwed up...


Cedar Breather - Big boxes of "just air"...