Our house was designed to have a metal standing seam roof and I was not clear about how, exactly, the roof panels would be delivered and applied. It turns out they are formed on-site.
Category Archive: Construction
Mindfulness and Just One Thing π¦π²
I decided to try being more mindful and focused on one thing at a time. It didn’t go well.
A Cabin the PNW Woods
It's a familiar story. Two friends decide to build a cabin in the woods where they can get away from desk jobs and spend time away from the city. These stories often cover the same territory: the dream runs headlong into reality. The story below is no different, but...
Rolling Out the Roof
You've probably seen metal roofs on houses. They usually have "standing seams" like this: The roof on our house will be no different. In fact, it's one of our only options because the slope of the roof is so flat. For us, it's exactly what we need. A metal roof can...
What is a Rain Screen for a House?
Before siding was applied, our house was striped with wooden supports. These are there to create a rain screen that’s designed not to trap moisture.
Cedar, Big Enough, and Boats π²ππ€
A snapshot of summer 2020 when we were staining cedar for the house, preparing to publish a book, and spending a lot of time on the Salish Sea.
The Search for Smart House Siding
If you picture a Japanese village in your mind, you’re likely to imagine buildings with a dark brown or black appearance, with a lot of character. This appearance, comes, in part, from an ancient Japanese method of charring wood to make it more resilient. The final product is called “yakisugi” or “shou sugi ban”. The Japanese found that charring the wood gave a unique character made it last longer.
Sweat Equity and the House Construction Project π¦π‘
We’ve taken on a number of projects in the house construction project. Along with a lot of planning, we are the painters and cleaners. These help save money, help us learn and make us a part of the team.
A Walk on Orcas Island π²πΆπ»ββοΈπΆπ»ββοΈπ²
From the moment the word βwalkβ is mentioned, both dogs scurry about as whines become barks. For this reason, we have come to spell the word and ask one another if itβs time for a βw-a-l-kβ.
The Pandemic’s Impact on Home Construction and Book Publishing ππ
When the pandemic hit in 2020, we had to reevaluate two of the biggest projects of our lives. This is how it felt at the time.
Home as a Platform π‘
The post below was sent as an issue of my newsletter, Ready for Rain. I had anticipated this moment for over a year. For the first time, I stepped foot onto the newly laid subfloor of our house. I realize this might not sound like a revelation and in reality, I had...
Why Home Construction Takes So Much Time β³
Home construction is a project that takes significant time and it’s not always clear why. It can be painful and frustrating, but it’s often necessary for quality. This is our experience.
Beefy Structural Steel π
The post below was sent as an issue of my newsletter, Ready for Rain. Early in the design process, John, our architect, said something that caught my attention. He said our design would require a lot of steel. Not knowing much about engineering a house, I took it as a...
Making Media for Ready for Rain Newsletter πΉ π
Ready for Rain is, in part, a media experiment. I love making media and use the newsletter as an opportunity to create videos, gifs, and more. This is a look at my tools and processes.
The House Project in Pictures π·
A look at a home construction project on Orcas Island, WA as the framing is being built.
Changing Plans During Construction ππ
House plans are not written in stone. Achieving what you want requires constant edits and course corrections and it’s best to catch them in advance.
The History of Concrete and Our House Foundation π‘
As the foundation was poured on the new house, I learned about concrete in construction and the history of lime production in the San Juan Islands.
Getting the House Out of the Ground π·π»ββοΈπ·π»ββοΈπ‘
The first big phase of the house building project was the foundation and starting then, the house took on a realistic form and shape.
Your Questions About The House Project, Answered β¬οΈ
A few notes on the house project and our plans, as is was coming together in 2019.
Geology and Site Work on Orcas Island βπ»
The post below was sent as an issue of my newsletter, Ready for Rain. Iβve planted trees like Japanese maples and fast-growing conifers at every house Iβve owned. I think of them as semi-permanent fixtures that slowly improve the property and provide shade, privacy,...