The extension was one big barn area until today; I started with the technical room walls. This is the room that will contain all technical stuff, such as the water heater and electrical panel. It’s relatively large, as it will also be for storage. 

All Texans know it’s important to do good maintenance on your guns. Well, I found out the hard way why; after not cleaning it I couldn’t load it anymore…

In case you’re now thinking; wow, guns? Really?  Yes, I am the proud owner of one big gun. Of the chincking type that is; it only fires chink, the crossover between cement and rubber that fills the gaps in between the logs. I spent 2 hours getting the  barrel to come loose. When I’m done, I’ll make sure I will clean it properly. 

Luckily the chink still works fine, even the half full bucket.  It’s a lot of work, but I like the result;

No more ladder climbing to reach the second floor. The 42″, three stringer stairs is now in place and feels very solid. 

The windows in the log walls on the first floor were relatively easy; accessible from the deck and not critical for water as logs can take a bit of water. Today the first extension window in the master bedroom went in. Much more enclosed; first the wall had to get its moisture barrier;

Then a window sill was made using DuPont flex wrap. The window was just within reach standing on the worktable, with the window placed on there too.  Over 30 screws and a kit line at the top and sides then lock the window in place. For extra moisture protection, 4″ wide window tape seals the window. Now this wall is ready for  siding; horizontal boards that overlap at the top. But that’s a two men’s job so that will be done next week. 

Last year April was when the first staining of the logs was done. At that point, the top of the front wall was out of reach; would take a 27 ft ladder and balls of steel, both of which I don’t have ?. Last November, the deck construction was started, so now I could place my ladder on the front deck, allowing the top logs to be stained. The grey now is a more even brown. 

Don’t worry, I haven’t lost my faith and made a switch to an older version of the operating system,
but now have installed 6 windows, being all the windows that go into log walls.
All other will be placed in standard timber frame walls, 2 in the extension and 4 upstairs.
As it’s easier to get the windows upstairs installed when there are actual stairs to the second floor,
I worked on that too today (see post stringing along).

The silver strips on the sides and top will be covered by cedar.

Today I have been stringing along. That is, I’ve been making 3 stringers, the big boards that hold up the steps of a staircase.
The plan I printed on a 1:1 scale helped; now it was just following the plan and doing all the cuts.
On top of these stringers 10″ boards will be installed, 2″ thick, 42″ wide, making a wider stairs than I have in the Netherlands,
which proves once again that everything is bigger in texas.

Less camping, more comfort. That’s the idea behind this sofa bed.  It transforms into a double bed in seconds;

Not that it took all day, I spent most of my day getting materials and putting in the dead bolt. This casement window is the type of window I have in all but one; one I cannot reach as it is on the second floor above the stairs.   It’s not difficult, but weather had caused the jambs to move a little, forcing me to circular saw my way to 36″ opening. The outside flange is protected by window tape, which will be covered by cedar later

DIY time has started again and I’m now back in Ozuye lodge where I had a first look at the front door in place. It’s kind of an open door now, as the lock is still in its packaging, and no handle, but I will work on that tomorrow