Walls, Windows & Siding – Oh My – #SoCS

In honor of Barb

We are back in the bar for a relaxing break and my weekly attempt at handling Linda’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt. This week, Linda gave my buddy an idea for a little snarky fun. Her prompt:

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘card.’ Use it any way you like. Enjoy!”

If we were having a beer, you’d be curious about my construction project.

“I’m glad you showed up today.”

“Was there any doubt?”

“No, it’s just that I have something for you.”

“A business card…what’s with this?”

“You’ve been quiet lately about your project, I figured you were giving up on the siding.”

“No, in fact, the siding was delivered two weeks ago, and I just started installing it this week.”

“I drove by your place, I didn’t see any siding in the driveway.”

“It’s all in the garage – siding, windows, door, channels, soffit and trim boards.”

“Whose side of the garage?”

“My wife’s.”

“That means he’ll finish this phase before winter. How are you boys today?”

“We’re thirsty Cheryl.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place, what are you drinking?”

“Corona.”

“Since I’m not going to make any bets with my young friend, I’m going to have Bourbon.”

“Lime, frosted glass, ice, snifter, seltzer, all coming up.”

“If the siding was delivered two weeks ago, why are you only now nailing it to the wall?”

“I had to get the walls ready.”

“What does that mean?”

“The current siding is T1-11. That’s…”

“…I know what T1-11 is, sheathing and siding in one piece. Don’t you just go over that?”

“You do, where it’s flat.”

“Where isn’t it flat? I mean, it’s plywood.”

“At the gable-ends, where the wall height exceeds eight feet. They built the wall so the upper sheet overlaps the lower one.”

“What do you do about that?”

“He kicks back, pours his Corona into its glass and relaxes. You, you sip your Bourbon and say a small thank you to John Howell for introducing it to us.”

“Ah, Cheryl, you always have the best advice.”

“Adult beverages aside, gable end? Is that the part with the peak?”

“Yes.”

“So, what do you do?”

“I am building out the lower section with three-quarter-inch plywood and rigid insulation.”

“And then what, just nail the siding to the wall?”

“Not quite. I have to replace the windows, replace the entry door, replace the trim around the garage door, and…

“Whoa, whoa, why do you have to replace the trim around the garage door? Didn’t you just replace that a few years ago?”

“I did, but the wall is going to be three-quarters-of-an-inch thicker. The trim has to cover that.”

“Oh, OK. Are the windows and door the same size as what they’re replacing?”

“The door is.”

“Not the windows?”

“No, but they are the same width or narrower than the existing ones.”

“Why is that important?”

“Windows and doors sit beneath a ‘header’ that carries the weight around them. If I used a wider window, I’d have to tear out the framing and install a bigger header.”

“I see. Cheryl, if I’m ever going to understand this, I think I need more Bourbon.”

“Coming right up. How about your instructor, another Corona?”

“Yes please.”

“So, where did you start with the siding?”

“At the gable-end in the back.”

“The wall nobody sees? Is that so you can hide your mistakes as you learn?”

“Exactly. There’s one of everything on that wall. I get to practice where it doesn’t count.”

“I didn’t think you’d admit that.”

“No sense pretending.”

“Does it matter that you’ll be working from back to front?”

“Actually, it’s better. The siding strips are only twelve feet long. Coming back to front will help hide the seams as we look at the walls.”

“So, it sounds like the time-consuming part is all the various bits of prep-work.”

“Oh, for sure. Once I get to the siding, it goes one-two-six.”

“I assume we’ll be seeing in-progress pictures.”

“Absolutely.”

“Did someone say Absolute? You switching to Vodka, Dan?”

“No Cheryl, just agreeing with the old man.”

“Wow – I can go home now, I’ve seen everything.”

The gallery has a few pics of the prep-work and the siding installation. Click to start a slideshow where you can see better and read the captions. Or, just skip to the bottom for the picture of Maddie. If you have a few minutes for something pretty, hop on over to Cheryl’s page. The business card is from Costco’s online business card designer. The Handyman image was created by Www.slon.pics – Freepik.com

We only needed a small section of this truck.

The window has to go. The rot has to be replaced. The outlet has to move out 3/4″ and the corner boards have to be bigger to support the vinyl ones.

I put this window unit in about 30 years ago. I think I was 50 years younger. This has to come out in pieces.

One-Two – first two windows removed.

With the windows out, the frame can be safely removed.

I have to frame two 24×42″ rough openings in the opening where the large window was installed.

I had to cut many 2 1/2″ strips. So, I made some specific guide blocks to set the edge-clamp.

Rusty visits several times during the day. I might have to get him a hard hat.

I had to laugh when I saw this on one of the strips. Just a stain, but…

The rough openings for the new windows are complete.

I’m not comfortable filling this whole space with insulation. I decided to add some support. in the center too.

The rotted sections have been repaired. The wood strips are up and I’m ready for some insulation.

This stuff cuts much easier than the plywood – and it’s a lot lighter!

The wooden strips make the underlayment more rigid.

Wrapped and ready for the vinyl stuff. Corner boards, outlet box and starter-strip.

The first strip is the hardest. Once I get above that outlet, I’ll be happy.

This is where I stopped on Friday. With any luck, by the time I get to the bar today, this end will be done.

“What does he have against darkness?”

Maddie knows how to get to me. That’s “Headie Teddy” – she knows I have a soft spot for him.

The toy was designed to get me to sit with her.