Monday, June 18, 2007

Kitchen window is in


Tonight billn cut all the pieces to form the framing for the cabinet base. The adults of 70Hack are relatively tall and prefer a higher than standard cabinet height. So we will build a 2x4 frame topped with 3/4" OSB to raise the cabinet height. If we were wealthy, we would have purchased the additional height as part of the base cabinets. Here is a picture of our chop saw with a stop-block to ensure all the frame pieces are the same length. Could we have any more clamps?

Here you can see a family of raccoons moved into our tree. Hopefully the exterminator we call uses humane methods (although in VT he probably just shows up, shoots and then brings them home for dinner).


Here senior and junior inspect the rough opening. Prior to tonight, the entire exterior wall was covered with building paper (tyvek). We pulled it off so we could install the window.



Here billn applies the caulk. Thanks to Tomd for suggesting the polyurethane caulk, Sikaflex 1a. This stuff is really strong, the best. Notice the homemade scaffold from wood and sawhorses.




Here billn completes the installation of the window. It isn't every married couple that can install a 30" high, 96" wide window into a rough opening that includes standing on sawhorses. But we at 70Hack are not every married couple.





Here is a picture of the interior. The level in the corner is 2'0", it is there to give you an idea of the scale. That's a big window.
Some might ask why the interior surface of the wall is covered with plywood and OSB (oriented strand board). The OSB goes behind the base cabinets, making cabinet installation much easier and OSB is 75% of the cost of drywall and more durable. The plywood is where the wall tile will adhere.









Installing the window in the rough opening was a snap. It was easy because we spent 45-60 minutes setting the sill of the rough opening LEVEL. No shims needed when you build the sill level, just set it and forget it.
Tomorrow we mow the grass and hopefully complete the base construction for the cabinets.
Jenm bought a couple of sample tiles for the kitchen floor, she is undecided still.




5 comments:

shirlnutkin said...

wow! ttly lots of progress. amazing on the sawhorse. (love the clever plier's placement. very clever.) hmmmm....still not growing them side burns, eh?

Bill N. said...

Sideburns reduce the amount of construction work one can do and limits tree climbing ability.

Anonymous said...

First time I check the blog and I see I am getting some credit. Sikaflex is the only caulk that I will ever use. I just redid my cedar shake roof and at teh wall roof intersection I used Sika instaed of nails. I am a believer. I can show you 25 year old sika on a south exposed wall and it is in perfect condition. I had a builder ask me "if its so good why isn't everyone using it". My answer was that it costs $4.25 a tube when all the other caulk at L an HC costs $2.50 - SIMPLE.

Bill N. said...

Tom D. has one other credit, that of the ceiling radiant. Tom D. is a cool guy. Tom D. would be 50% cooler if he trekked to our nation and put some time in working at 70Hack.

shirlnutkin said...

btw, i forgot to say - awesome job on **NOT** needing shims. impressive.