A Work in Progress

It has now been over a month since I have published a weblog post. The reason for this is best described in the photograph below.

Cliff Cottage aka Fjellheim, 2018-09-19. Photo: Trish McLellan

Yes, construction work is time consuming, but provides healthy exercise. The goal of the construction work is to re-construct the house so that it is suitable for a couple of old people to live in. In March 2019, we will have lived in the house for 30 years.

The outer wall of the main level of the house has been replaced. From the outside inwards the new wall consists of 25 x 340 mm horizontal siding (cladding), 23 x 48 vertical nailing strips, a wind barrier, 36 x 198 mm (vertical) studs with 200 mm of insulation, a vapour barrier, 48 x 48 horizontal nailing strips with 50 mm of insulation, 12 mm inside paneling in panels measuring 600 x 2390.

The horizontal nailing strips allow space for services for power and communication. Potentially, other services such as water and waste water could also use this space, but they are not needed along this particular wall. Services are not permitted to penetrate the space provided by the 36 x 198 studs.

On blustery days, work is being done in the attic. Previously, ceiling/ roof insulation consisted of 150 mm of insulation between the floor joists of the attic. In the extension (added on about 1984, five years before we moved into the house in March 1989) to the right in the photograph, it was impractical to add any extra insulation. For the original house, two solutions were needed to upgrade the insulation. In the center third of the attic insulation is being added between the rafters, a 50 mm airspace is being provided to prevent moisture buildup (and wood rot). Then 48 x 48 mm strip is being added to the bottom of each rafter so that 200 mm of insulation can be added. In both of the two remaining outer thirds of the attic, 36 x 198 joists are being added at 90° to the original joists. These measures will provide a total of about 350 mm of insulation.

During the summer, Alasdair was of great help during the construction process. Since he returned to Bergen, I have usually worked alone, with help being provided by Trish as needed. Since the photograph was taken, scaffolding has been added to the wall to facilitate the replacement of studs and the window in the attic. A chain pulley block, fastened to the peak of the roof, will allow heavy objects to be freighted up and down.

A chain pulley block showing lifting chain (black) and control chain (gray).
Cliff Cottage in May 2018. The new siding will be painted the same colour as the old, vårgul (spring yellow). Rot in the bedroom window on the right is clearly visible.

 

2 Replies to “A Work in Progress”

  1. Hi Brock
    You sound like a man of many talents!! The house will certainly be sturdy and the best part of doing it yourself is that you know it’s done correctly in addition to enjoying the accomplishment!!! It looks lovely! I always enjoy reading your blogs. Take good care and happy building!

  2. Thanks for your comment, Darlene.

    This also gives an opportunity to add a couple of points.

    First, this is the second time that we have replaced the windows and siding/ cladding. The first time was in 1997, twenty-one years ago.

    Second, the siding is made of glue-laminated strips at a factory located about 7 km from the house. Local production? Well, maybe not. This wood is then transported about 500 km south to be pressure treated, and then transported another 500 km back. We ordered “ocre” as the colour, but by the time the wood was being pressure treated, ocre had been discontinued as a option, so we were given brown. It is now in the process of being painted “vårgul” (spring yellow) which we have had on the house for many years now. This colour can be seen in some of the wood, both on and off the building.

    Third, in terms of appearance, the major change is the large window and sliding door in the living room. Despite the house being situated on a cliff, 35 meters above the sea, and about 50 meters away from it, the only windows on this view side were 2/3 the height of the bedroom windows shown in the photo. The door onto the terrace was narrow, but did have a window in it. The new windows are a definite improvement in terms of being able to look out at the sea. However, some people have suggested that we should have added even more window space. After I have finished writing this, I will try to find a photo of the house before work started, and update the weblog post with it.

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