Week of 2/20/12

We fought thru some rain and snow last week, and framing has resumed in full force on the Bauer residence in Hickory Hills.  The framers have been working on building the upper back porch and the arches on the lower porch so that we can install stone on the arches.  They have also started putting in the exposed rafter tails and roof decking.  We pre-stained the antique oak rafter tails and did a dry-brush paint procedure with stain on the underside of the cedar roof decking , so the color you see is the color it will be. 

Week of 2/3/12

Framing continues on the Bauer residence in Hickory Hills - the east garage is now up and connected to the house thru the port-e-cochere, trusses are up over the main living area and the framers are starting to work on the dormers in that room.  Also in the last week we had the columns built on the rear patio for the upper patio, so that should be framed later this week and ready to pour.  We have some of the antique 12x12's installed as supports over the port-e-cochere - they cleaned up really nicely and took the sealer well, now they have the appearance of waxed beams.  On tuesday we received a truckload of 140-year-old 8x8 oak beams from an old tobacco warehouse in Louisiana - these will be used in a number of capacities on this home, but mainly cut in half to make 4x8 exposed rafter tails.  On thursday we had a guy with a portable saw mill come out to the shop and slice these in half - the old oak was very hard but we got thru them.  Now we are sanding these down to apply a stain and they will be ready to go up. 

This next week should be a big week (as long as the weather cooperates) - can't wait for the next round of pictures!