Wednesday, October 5, 2022

 Windows!

We were surprised today with the delivery of the last four glass windows for the west wall. Unfortunately, three of the four windows were cracked and will need to be replaced. Even with the flaws, the visibility is much improved and will help keep the room temperature at the desired setting.

Window delivery



Removing temporary windows



Installing new window


Evening view through the new windows







Thursday, September 29, 2022

Grout Day - The tiles were grouted this morning and the sunroom is closed up with the heater running to assist in the drying process. We will have full access tomorrow morning and will set up a shelving unit and the hanging chair. Other than that, the furniture plan is TBD. We cleaned up the construction remnants in the garage this afternoon, and Sharron has regained her parking space.

Applying silver grout 


Grouted floor, ready for occupancy tomorrow






Wednesday, September 28, 2022

The remaining tiles were installed today, and will be ready for grouting tomorrow. We look forward to being able to use the sunroom on Friday. 

The sunroom contractors caulked the remaining windows on the west side this morning. We still have four temporary windows on the west wall, waiting for the delivery of the permanent glass windows.

Sealing window frames


Scoring and snapping porcelain tiles




Tiles  completed and ready for grout tomorrow



Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Tile & Irrigation Day

A two-man crew worked for 8 hours to install about 85% of the tiles. They will finish the tiling tomorrow and install the grout on Thursday. We will be able to walk on the floor on Friday.

Our landscape designer worked most of the day installing the water drip line system for all of our new trees and plants. The water flow is controlled by an automatic timer that is easy to program. The main water line is 1/2" hose with various sizes of emitters installed at each tree and plant to deliver the desired amount of water.

Sunroom prepped for tile installation


Tile cutting tool


Trimming tile



Applying mortar



Completed area


15% remaining area



1/2" Main drip line


Programmable water flow timer


Four-port manifold


Routing line through PVC pipe under walkway


Attaching emitter to rose plant


15 liter per hour emitter


Drip line routed to all trees and plants





Monday, September 26, 2022

Durock Day


The tile installers installed a Durock tile support system today. Here's the process:
  • Wipe entire sub-floor with a damp sponge
  • Secure the existing sub-floor with additional screws
  • Apply mortar to the sub-floor
  • Apply 1/4" thick 3 ft x 5 ft Durock cement boards
  • Secure Durock with 1-1/2" screws
  • Tape all seams
  • Spread mortar on all seam tape
We walked on the Durock after the mortar had dried for a few hours, and it feels like you are walking on a sidewalk - VERY solid!

Tile installation is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday), and will take one to two days, followed by grouting. 

Mixing mortar


Keraflex mortar



Wiping down sub-floor


Setting Durock panels on mortar



Securing Durock with 1-1/2" screws


Taping seams


Spreading mortar on seam tape



Completed floor with dry mortar, ready for tiles



Saturday, September 24, 2022

Final day of landscaping

Landscaping day 6 - The four-man crew arrived before 10am with two trees and more mulch. A second truck with a two-man crew arrived soon after with a load of sod. They worked until 3:30pm to finish installing all trees and plants, topsoil and mulch. They also finished some fine-tuning of the walkways and spread grass seed next to the path to the driveway. We all agree that the results are magnificent! Who would imagine such a transition was even possible in just six days? 

7:30am, before the crews arrived




Tree delivery


Spreading topsoil


Hydrangea macrophylla


Sod



Spreading pellitory plants


Bracing dogwood tree


Cleaning up and working ground stone between slabs


End of day






























The evolution of the backyard: July 26 - September 24








 Windows! We were surprised today with the delivery of the last four glass windows for the west wall. Unfortunately, three of the four windo...