Big Update

Lots has happened since the last update. With the decking complete and the materials painted, it's time to start going vertical. The first order of business was to cut off and notch the posts at the top to accept the beams coming from the house. There will be a 2x12 beam on both sides of the 6x6 post. These beams attach to a ledger that runs along the house the full length of the pergola. These are attached to the beam with 1/2" lag bolts and to the ledger with 6" ledger screws. To allow for the ledger to go up flush with the house, we had to remove 2 brackets that were underneath the the bump out for the second floor. We balanced the ledger with 2x4's while we lifted the beams and screwed them in place. With the main beams in place, we were able to start putting up the 2x8 cross beams followed by a couple of pieces of the 2x3's. It's really starting to take shape now. All that's left are the stairs, handrails and benches. More updates to come....

Decking

The decking is now complete (save for 2 boards) A pattern was set using our standard 16' lengths. With a 32' deck we were able to use 2 boards per course, alternating our joints between the middle and the 8' from either side a 16' board cut in half offers us. The trex, being the engineered product that it is, only has "grain" going in one direction, so every other course was alternated in grain pattern as well. We used 3/16" spacers between the boards, pushing or pulling as necessary to maintain the gap. We made a story pole before we started so that we could be sure our final board wouldn't have to be ripped against the house. The waste management on this project has been superb thus far. This is most likely a direct correlation between how expensive this project has been and who's providing the funding (a.k.a. us) Only approximately an inch of material was lost from each board to square up the ends, and I consider this a free inch because all the boards are actually 16'1.5" That's free money in my book.

It may appear that in these pictures the decking's not complete, which in these pictures is true. This is not the case in real life however, as I can assure you faithful reader it is complete

Long Over-due

Finally, a long over-due blog post. 2 weeks ago we finally finished up the framing. I spent the better part of the day face down under our fireplace bump out, fastening the remaining joists to the ledger. This might not sound like a big job, but working inches off the ground, with a joist every 16" is by no means an easy job. With the joists finally in place it was time to start laying some boards! We started with our trim board. This board runs all the way around the perimeter of the deck, and covers all the end grain that one would normally see from the deck boards. The corners are mitered to give it a really nice finished look. With the sun having long set, we decided to wrap it up after only a few boards were laid.

Big weekend

We had a big weekend this weekend. We got after it bright and early on Saturday morning. First order of business was to move the existing sprinklers from under where the new deck will be, into their new positions. First project, first problem. It was originally thought that we would only need one step going from the deck to the ground. This would put the sprinklers 12" out from the edge of the deck framing. After the sprinklers had been rerouted and filled back in, it was realized we'd actually need 2 steps, and 24" for our new sprinklers. Thankfully they only sell sprinkler pipe in 25' lengths and Dad was willing to rip out his just finished job. Framing began with the 6x6 posts that will support the pergola. Next the pressure treated ledger board was attached to the house using a hammer drill and some expanding masonry bolts. We then started cutting joists to length and nailing the hangers on for support. The area under the pergola is all framed out, while the rest of the deck only has intermittent joists throughout. This week I'll be filling in the joist hangers with nails, patching any dings or holes on the exposed framing, and start staining our rim joists and pergola beams. We didn't get as much done as we would have liked but all in all, a good day was had.

Finley hates yard work too

Finley normally loves to do a little yard work. Most the time it's with her paws and in a less than ideal spot (i.e. right in the middle of the yard) But when Melissa tried to have her pick up a rake and get started, she wasn't interested. I can't imagine why...

Attack of the Killer Ants

It might not seem like it but definite progress was made tonight. The back step is all the way out though a few big chunks still remain that need to be broken into more manageable pieces (there's only so much 1920's chain gang simulation one can take on a given evening). We did unearth a fairly large colony of ants that had been living quite comfortably under the concrete steps. My apologies to the queen for the hosing they received. The dirt has been regraded to allow for our 2" x 10" ledger to be anchored to the foundation and still be above grade. There is still a fairly large pile of dirt that needs to be spread out under where the new structure is going. Either that or I make my way to the nearest empty lot with a wheelbarrow and shovel in hand. The sprinkler heads that need to be moved were located and dug around, so we can hopefully make quick work of that project on Saturday. Up next, framing...

The SHOWSTOPPER! ..... sort of

It's demo time! With the new concrete firmly in the ground it's time to bust out some the existing stuff. With a giant steel rod and the help of a brand new sledge hammer, we made easy work of this job.... Well sort of