Now that this project is complete, here are some statistics on the work we have done:

Today the completed house was dedicated and formally turned over to the new homeowners.  As usual, it was a touching ceremony where all could see the real impact of our work was no less than a miracle for this family.

Today was our last Saturday workday.  It was a clear but chilly day as the six AM and six PM  volunteers worked with volunteers form Crossroads Fellowship Church.  Today we completed the front gable end siding and almost completed the addition of a small roof over the back door.  Kick plates were installed under the front and storage area doors.  Insulation was refitted on the interior in preparation of the sheetrock installation next week.  Greg and Janet Mintel provided a delicious warm lunch for the AM crew that was much appreciated.

Today Joe W. and Mike G., worked on putting some flooring into the attic to create a small storage area around the access opening in the front bedroom.  Al J. and Gabriella P.  cleaned the mud off the porch ceiling panels and front ventilation soffit.  Then the major task for the day was to install architectural siding (a fancier vinyl siding) on the front triangle at the peak of the house.  Spent the first 3 hours erecting scafolding and setting up two 40 foot extension ladders (the peak is some 30+ feet from the ground).  We then needed to install the siding trim pieces around the perimeter of the triangle but were short the "F" pieces and Anthony went to get some at their office.  We installed the "F" and "J" pieces on the right side and the "J" section on the bottom.  The house looks real good.  The inside has been insulated and is ready for sheet rock. 

It was a lot warmer today (35F) than it was last Friday (15F), however we still thought it was too cold to apply the siding. We did get ventilators put in the porch roof; marked the locations of studs and switches; put one more stud under a glu-lam, and boxed in access to downstairs and upstairs attics. We were told there was no more work for us about noon so we headed out.

It was too cold on Friday to do any siding as the vinyl would just crack and break up.
The house had been inspected by the Energy consultants and a City framing inspector.  There were six volunteers and Alex that showed for work.  The work for the day was to correct the structural work that failed the City inspection and plug holes. We relocated two 2x4 studs and installed three new studs to fully support the large microlam beams at all supporting walls. Fire blocking was installed between bottom stair treads and the first floor and the landing floor. 2x6 risers were install over the master bedroom ceiling to raise an attic storage floor above the insulation thickness.  Alex had no additional work assignments for us and we broke off around 2:30. It was cold and we mind leaving early!

 The SFA team worked on:

    installing siding (and more siding and more siding)

    installing soffits (first floor and second floor)

    building cabinet and bracket supports (in kitchen and baths)

    installing rain channels on the front and side roofs

    installing baffles for insulation in attic

 

No report yet on these days!

After so much unsettling weather lately it was nice to see the sun today.  The only issue was that it was COLD with expected highs only in the 40's. Twelve St. Francis volunteers arrived at the work site ready to brave the chill and build some house.  And it was chilly, we were warned to beware of the skating rink in one of the upstairs bedrooms formed by a frozen puddle of accumulated rain water! Today we finished the sheathing and Tyvek on the back shed, applyed more Tyvek to the second story east side, built the HVAC chase downstairs, installed the front porch beams, added the two rear ladder joists, and hoisted (by hand) the four remaining roof trusses into place. A productive day indeed!