Arlington Virginia Addition

More BRICK Work!

2007-10-17T06:35:00.000-04:00

The first delivery is just about gone. The second has been staged on the front yard. Here are some more pictures of the mason's progress.

Just a couple of pallets.

They are ready to be staged around the house.
A view of the completed work along the right side of the house. If you look closely along the lower roof line you can see the slate edge of the new roof.

A view of the nearly completed back wall. With a view of the slate roof from the back.

A veiw from the front looking down the driveway. What do you think of the color match?

A panoramic view of the back wall in progress.

A view from the neighbors yard looking at the brick.

The staging area (aka. front yard)!

Work under the scafold in the back yard.

You can see the detail work for joining the sides together.

Here's a straight on look at the finish wall. Do you like the match?

This is our choice brick.

A view of the back wall in progress (sorry this is out of order).

The BRICKS have arrived.

2007-10-14T21:54:00.000-04:00

The bricks are on site and the masons are ready to get started. We made several trips to the brick yard trying to find a match for our current brick. So far it looks like we did. What do you think?

This is our choice. Lee Brick #610 Pinehurst (modular). The color and texture of the brick is a very close match to our original brick.

The lines are plumb (straight) and the workmanship superb!

Another view of the first wall to get bricked.

Bricks are staged in the back yard.

Lots of brick in the back yard.
A pile here, a pile there. Next thing you know we'll have a wall of bricks.

Here's a Closer Look at the Front Porch

2007-10-13T21:37:00.000-04:00

The carpenters have been working on the Front Porch. This will be completed in stages. Right now the framing is complete and they've laid the decking and erected the columns. Once the electrical is installed they'll be able to close it in and complete the finish work. Here are some pictures of their progress.

We're using Azek Decking (slate gray) with a hidden fastener system (no nails or screws).

Here's a picture before the columns were put in place.

Here you can see some of the outside finish work.

A view from the front.

A view just before the columns were put in place.
A view from on the porch looking back at the house.

Let's Start on the Roof

2007-10-11T21:22:00.000-04:00

The slate has arrived that the roofers are hard at work. Take a look...

We're going to stay with the gray slate look on the roof. The supplier delivered several pallets of material and positioned them on the driveway.

The first step is getting the material on the roof.

The plan is to complete the roof in stages so return soon to see next step.

Time for Fascia, Eves, and Cornise Work

2007-10-05T20:49:00.000-04:00

I'm sure these are in no particular order but you can see the carpenters have worked on the roof line. The cornise, fascia, and eve vents need to be in place before the roofers can start the roof. It's amazing how this piece of the additon starts bringing everything together.

Inside the Addition...

2007-10-01T20:21:00.000-04:00

Most of the rough framing is complete, so I thought you'd like to see a few panoramic shots of the first and second floors. Don't forget you can click the pics to make them bigger. Here they are... ...

This is the first floor standing at the far left corner looking across the Family Room. Just left of where I'm standing will be the fireplace, the first window you see is an open place for family meals; you can see the cabinet supports along the back of the wall. The white area (partially obscured by the wood) is where the old addition was. The framing in the center of the picture is a pocket area for the refrigerator. The window (surrounded by brick) will be removed & opened up for a walk way to the old living room. The door on the right connects to the front porch through the mud room.

Here's a view from where the cabinets will be looking back to where the picture above was taken. Starting on the left you can barely see the pocket are for the refrigerator, then the far wall, lost of windows, and a french door opening to the back yard.

Finally, a view of the second floor from the far left corner (just above the location of the first picture). It's hard to make out details, but looking from the left is a sitting area, then the door to the Master Bath. The area behind the framing in the center is the Master Closet. There will be a wall added from the brick across to the wall closing off this space and adding about 50 square feet to the small bedroom on the other side of the brick.

Hope you enjoying the tour!

Let's Start Framing!

2007-09-19T01:47:00.000-04:00

Here's a short video of the framing process. Click the 'link' to enjoy "Let's Start Framing" .

LINK

The Front Porch is Taking Shape

2007-09-18T14:16:00.000-04:00

The front porch framing is well under way. As you can see, we're planning a wrap-around porch that will extend across the full front of the house and provide a path to the new "mud room" on the side of the house (great place for hats, coats, shoes, and book bags!).

The front porch is 8' wide across the front and is 32' long. The side porch is another 5' wide and 14' long. We're planning to use Azek (formerly ProCell) decking. The color will be slate gray. There will be eight 8'x8" round/tapered columns on the outside perimeter with railings between columns with a 62" opening centered in front of the main door.

I can just see us relaxing on the front porch, can't you?

Can't wait to see this finished!

More Framing Pictures

2007-09-03T13:51:00.000-04:00

What a difference a week makes! As you can see most of the framing on the addition is about done. The first & second floors are framed, the windows installed, and we've started working the details for interior walls.

This is a view of the Master Bathroom. To eliminate wasted space, created by a door swing, we're planning a 30" pocket door set off center so we have plenty of wall space for towels and such next to the tiled shower.

Here's a view from the back yard. We've got just short of 30' from the back of the house to the back fence. So there's room for having outside fun!

This is a view from the far corner of the Master Bath. The framing in the center is temporary, for support only, and there will be a 6'x16' walk-in closet running half the length of the house against the existing brick wall.

Here's a view from what will be the inside of the walk-in closet.

And another view from the outside left corner looking back toward the existing house.

The Roof Trusses are on site!

2007-08-10T13:45:00.000-04:00

The roof trusses arrived in a neat package. Stacked and ready for installation. The framing crew completed an inventory and re-located them to the back of the house so they were in position for being hoisted up to the second story for installation.

Framing Has Begun!

2007-07-31T22:08:00.000-04:00

When the framing got going, it really got going! Take a look at these and you can see just how fast things have started to shape up. We've been spending evenings measuring and visualizing what the space will finally look like (hope you can see it also).

This is what happens when you frame with warped lumber -or maybe what a panoramic view looks like when you don't keep your focus on lining up the shots!

A view from the second floor (same lumber and photographer)!

Now here is a clean shot. This is a view from the back yard looking at where the French Doors will be installed.

And a view from the garden looking back at the house.

Here's a view from inside, standing in the kitchen doorway looking across the new space.

The Lumber is On-site

2007-07-19T21:49:00.000-04:00

Well it's a few days later, although I've not been keeping up with day-after postings, but the lumber has arrived for framing the First & Second floor.

I've always wondered what it would be like to have a home stick-built. Well, here are the sticks and I'm glad the professionals at UBuildIT and the framing contrator are on-site.

As you can see the lumber was placed on the lower part of the yard just along the sidewalk. The framing crew worked to move it up onto the lawn and stage items so that the first floor was first and the second, well - second.

Another view of the sidewalk.

A small pile on the front lawn.

An a smaller one.

The Boom

2007-07-19T00:34:00.000-04:00

I've got some video of the construction project. This is just a sample. If all goes well, I'll get the others posted soon. Click the 'link' to enjoy "The Boom".

Link

The Basement has been Poured!

2007-07-17T20:57:00.000-04:00

The crew arrived early and completed the pour without any problems. The pumper truck was much bigger and as you can see they parked in front of the driveway and extended the boom over the house from there. Here's a few pictures (remember you can click them to make them bigger).

UBuildIt has been great! They've been with us every step of the project. I can't think of a better way to complete a home addition.
The rigs are set-up and the crew took care to protect the road as well. It's great when a plan comes together so well.

Here's a couple of shots of the 3-man crew working the concrete as it was being pumped over the house.

Another view. If you were wondering the basement is 18'x32' with a small 9'x5' extension along the side of the house (which will support the 1st floor mud room and extension of the small bedroom on the 2nd floor).

A front view of the pumper truck getting set-up. The boom is fully extended up and over and pointed back at the truck (you can see it hovering over the street).

The boom is up & over the house.

Another view of the extended boom.

A panoramic view of the cement mixer and the pumper truck line-up.

The 3-man crew made quick work of it. You can see one here starting to level things out.

Ready to Pour the Basement Slab!

2007-07-16T12:30:00.000-04:00

The basement walls are up & the inspection passed. Take a look at these panoramic views and you'll see that we are ready. (You can click the pics to make them bigger.)

A view from above.

Straight across the back yard.

From the corner.

From the opposite corner.

And across from the other side.

A view of the whole house, from the back.

A view from the back looking into the basement.

The Basement Walls are UP

2007-07-16T10:45:00.000-04:00

Yes, the walls are up and the slab prep is complete. All that's need is for the County to inspect and give the go ahead to pour (actually pump over the house) the concrete slab.

I've got pictures ready to post, so come back soon...

The Basement #3

2007-07-13T12:23:00.000-04:00

The waterproofing and drainage system has been added to the outside of the foundation. You can see that the windows openings are complete. The next step is to prepare the slab.

A view of the outside of the long wall.

A panoramic of the basement from above.

A panoramic from the side.

The Basement #2

2007-07-12T08:36:00.000-04:00

The basement walls are really taking shape. You can see the window openings and how things are progressing.

A view from above.

You can see there was some rain, but not to worry the drainage will be handled before the slab is poured.

A close-up of the egress window.

And a side window.

A panoramic of the new basement.

The Basement is Taking Shape

2007-07-08T23:00:00.000-04:00

The masonry crew worked two long days and nearly completed the basement walls. I did a quick count and found 65 blocks per layer and there are 7 layers. They have a bit more to do, but things are taking shape very well.

Here's a view form the driveway.

And a view from the street.

You can see most of three walls.

A view from one corner.

Here's a view from the back corner.

Another view of the work area.

A view across the far left wall.

Supplies for Basement Walls

2007-07-05T06:33:00.000-04:00

The footer foundation has been poured and cured. The crew is ready to begin forming the basement with cement blocks. This work, from delivery to placing the bricks has all been completed by hand. The crew did a great job.

Just some of the supplies that were delivered.

The driveway was made into a cement mixing area so that the blocks could be stacked in the basement and mortared together.

Another view of the work area.

The blocks are beginning to look like basement walls.

The supplies are stacked and ready for use.

The brick points are crucial to making sure the walls are within the set backs required by the county.

Another brick point.

The corner is in place.

Another view of the blocks before they became the basement walls.

Pouring Cement for the Footers

2007-07-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

The cement was coming fast and furious through the tube. The two-man crew in the new basement area worked great together and made quick work at getting the footers poured and leveled.

One man focused the delivery while the other worked in the cement.

They make it look easy, but it's not.

They're just about halfway through pouring.

A little finishing work in the corner.

Almost two-thirds complete.

You can see the tube from the pumper trunk dangling in the middle of the work area.

The pouring is complete and the cement is drying.

A view from the other side.

The corner footer.

More Pictures of the Big Rigs

2007-07-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

The boom has been raised and the pouring will begin soon. The crew is getting in place and I'll take a few more shots of the rigs before they get started.

The boom was literally over the house (corner-to-corner) and the cement was dumped from the mixer to the pumper, then through a set of tubes over the house.

Things are set!

Final checks and we're about to start pumping!

You can see that the pumper was bigger then the driveway, but they worked it into place with extreme care. That front wheel was lifted off the ground to stabilize the rig.

The Cement Rigs Arrive on Site

2007-07-03T06:32:00.000-04:00

The cement mixer and the pumper trunks arrive in the neighborhood to pour the cement for the footers. Took a little time getting set-up and then it was pouring time. I should note that both trunks were HUGE! Everyone has seen a cement trunk before, but until you have one in front of your house you don't realize just how big they are. And the pumper trunk was even more massive.

Here's the cement trunk parked in the street.

And the pumper trunk arrives. I'll be a job getting it into place.

The cement mixer trunk will feed the back end of the pumper trunk and the cement will rise up & over the house to the backyard.

The boom has been extended and soon the cement will flow.

Here's a view of the pumper in the driveway.

Digging Day #5

2007-07-01T07:15:00.000-04:00

The footer framing is in place and awaiting the concrete to be poured. You can see the re-bar in some of these pictures. Looks like a very solid foundation. Next up-concrete!

The rebar work is complete!

Just waiting for concrete.
Another view of the re-bar.

Digging Day #4

2007-06-30T07:09:00.000-04:00

Digging Day #4 was a big day. The crew completed removing most of the dirt and made the walls vertical so that they could begin adding the footer frames. Things are really beginning to take shape.

A picture from atop our pile of dirt in the backyard.

The footers are beginning to take shape.

Here's a view from one side to the other.

A look from above on one side.