Almost There

This home improvement gig sure does take a lot of time. I feel bad that I have to twist the ear of all my friends, and I know they get sick of it, but man am I learning a lot. Hope I don't burn too many bridges with my incessant inquiries.

I'm getting there with the clapboards. At the very least the front looks a lot better, maybe like a real house? I applied the green poison, poor-man's pressure treatment, and then nailed the plywood and covered it with the ice and water shield. That stuff is a bear to apply, it's so damn sticky and of course I got too ambitious and tried to put on bigger and bigger pieces, but managed to not lose a single piece. It stuck like hell, however, and bit of grass and dirt came along for the ride. Oh well, I'm not PD, not yet, at least.

The black paper/felt was actually just as hard to use, only because the theme of your home's exterior is barrier. You want to protect it from moisture as much as possible, and a huge factor are seams, or lack thereof. Less seams is better. In fact, ideally you'd like to cover your house in one single, big sheet of whatever you're applying, which of course is impossible, so you apply as big a piece as possible and overlay to reduce seepage onto the wood. It's fairly intuitive once you start doing it, but there is oh-so much to consider. It really takes patience and insight.

Once I had the black paper on it, I was about 65% of the way there. Now all I need to do is apply clapboards, which will be another drama in and of itself. I've stained several of them and they are ready to roll. Should be interesting, and I can't wait for it to be done. As difficult as this has been for me, it's been a learning and rewarding experience, and I'm looking forward to doing the other side, sort of.

It's just that I've never really done this much home improvement.

Still hoping to mow the lawn, and as always, looking for some more wood. I saw a pile on route 5 and called the guy but never heard from him. Every time I go by GS's I drool over all the firewood that he has in front of his house, and he never once even hints at selling me some, even though he must have some sense that I'm looking for it. I'm thinking that I have to give up on that one and give it a rest.

So much home improvement, so little time. And my wife's parents are on their way. Until the next time, thanks for reading.