More windows

All of the new windows were installed. Now we finally have a little more space in the house since they were taking up a big portion of the dining room and basement. All of our windows are from Home Depot and we're very impressed with them for the price. We saved a ton of money going with all vinyl and they look great. Plus there's only a few things they're intended to do and so far they all seem to be doing it just as well as the ones triple the price.

They still have to put in the two french doors, but they wanted to get the beam installed in the new addition and finish taking down the old exterior wall. Its a beautiful day here in Arlington to get some work done.

Window Time

The house is starting to take shape. The windows are going in upstairs and in the new addition. Roof and front porch should be under way by the weekend. We had some more rain this week, but the next 2 days look nice so hopefully big changes by the weekend.

We ordered the siding yesterday so that might take a couple weeks to get here, but we have plenty to do around the house to keep us busy. We ended up going with Certainteed Main Street double 5 inch clapboard vinyl siding in Flagstone color. Its a little gray-blue/slate looking so not the dark gray we wanted exactly, but a good looking color. Can't wait to see it on the house.

Busy weekend, Part Two

One of the old and drafty windows that we replaced on Saturday...

And the other old and drafty window that was also replaced...

And this is Mouse, one of the particularly unhelpful cats.  The two windows that we replaced this weekend were in the second bedroom, a.k.a. the kitty room.  Mouse likes to spend her time like this...

As you might imagine, it's very warm and comfortable under the covers on the bed.  In order to replace the windows, however, we had to move the bed out of their bedroom.  The cats did not approve of this development in the least and expressed their displeasure by breaking out of their room last night and running (loudly) around the house in the wee hours of the morning.  The message has been received and we will work on finishing the interior trim and returning their bedroom to its normal state tonight or tomorrow.  There can be no peace without happy cats.

Busy weekend

We took on two of the bigger replacement windows Saturday. They were a lot harder to do as they were much heavier and higher up on the ladder than the other ones. After some measurement oops by me we got the new frames built and the windows set. The outside is trimmed, but we left the inside untrimmed for now. I'll finish it up this week. We wanted to soak one with water to make sure they don't leak first. Doing replacement windows in a brick opening is a little tricky and you have to rely on caulk a little too much to keep the water out. But the old 60 year old windows were done the same way and so far none have had any rot at all so it must be fine.

We also removed the rest of the ugly chain link fence. About 10 posts were set into concrete so we had to bust it up to get them out. At first we went with brute force and the 20 pound sledge hammer. Then we realized we own a rotary hammer drill so we put the concrete breaker bit on and knocked the rest out in no time. Still a lot of work, but we got it done. The yard looks so much better already. This week should bring some big changes to the house so stay tuned!

This post sponsored by Lowes

It would be nice if this advertising amounted to something from Lowes... For instance free walnut flooring??


The day started out nice enough. We got our wall bracing inspection today so the house wrap and windows can now go in. They made some progress on the front stoop demo yesterday. Still no roof and it started raining, but there's tar paper down. Only one lone drip upstairs by the chimney, but its easily caught by a bucket up there. Next week should bring the front porch, roof, and window install. We haven't ordered the siding yet, but should finalize our choice this weekend.

The Second Shift

Brian has been tearing down the chain link fence and digging up tree stumps after work.  We'll get this yard into shape yet!

Roof time

Dare I say that our water problems are over and we made it through construction without any water damage to any of our stuff?? Let's hope they get it all done by friday because its looking like rain all day. Today is beautiful out - sunny and 70. Front stoop is getting demo'd so we'll have to go in and out of the rear basement stairs for awhile. But the new front porch isn't far off.