Just wanted to let you know we are enjoying our new Log Cabin. In the early sunshine I have given it a further coat to shield it from the elements. It survived the cold winter with flying colours and remained totally dry within. After relocating a small patio we were able to relax and enjoy the sunshine. I hope you do to!
Status after 5 weeks.
Not even able to get further progress this week as life was interupted by a business trip! Saturday was Two wood Day at Local Bowls Club so was an an all day event. Today however I needed to get a coat of weather proofing onto the Cabin as we are due for our first substantial rain in over two weeks. The garden will be all the happier for it. Liz & I were out early painting all four sides plus the facias and under roof. It was a very tiring day.
The inside still has a few jobs to be done like sealing the corners and installing the storm battens. However the floor vanish is complete and dry so we can start furnishing it.
Status after nearly 4 weeks.
The weekend is here and lovely sunshine to go with it. An early start saw the completion of the rear facia. After this it only a case of the internals. A couple of roof battens and then onto the floor. Here you can see some of the progress on the shed part. I have used the packing material as a waterproof membrane and then some insulation before starting work on the floor boards. I must have spent all of 8 hours on my knees and bum today. I have opted for the hidden nail strategy. This means several hundred nails are hammered into the groove of the tongue and groove. It works quite well and by the time I couldn't lay another board even if I tried I was about 10 short of completing both shed and summer house. Oh my back!
Status after 3 weeks.
As imagined time is at a premium now that I am back at the office desk. The weather is holding and I can get about 2 hours in after work. So now you can see the roof complete. The Shingles are rather elegant but really wear your fingers out hitting hundreds of tacks. We now have the Facia added to the front which makes it truly look like it is nearing completion. Actually we shall have to start on the internals soon.
In case you don't believe I am doing the work here is an action photo.
Status after day 19. Tuesday.
Last day to get any extended amount of work done, so started immediately on finishing first half of roof panels. Philip came over and offered further assistance on the second half of the roof which we completed early afternoon. Meanwhile Liz made headway on the wood preserver. It was slow work with a brush when I remembered I had a sprayer used in the past for my fruit trees. With this we could cover the whole shed in little over 10 minutes! Although using this technique the wood preserver runs out fast. So back to the DIY shop for a renewed supply as the inside will require a couple of coats as well. By the end of the day we had two coats of wood preserver and a start on the shingles. At least we now have a lockable shed to use and the conservatory is once again clear of floorboard and roof panels. From here it will be a case of grab the odd hour or so a day that can be found.
Status after Day 18. Monday (Bank Holiday).
Useful progress today. Completion of the gables and roof beams. Not as difficult as I imagined getting the beams up that high. However some still required a degree of heavy arm hitting tactics! Everything looking and feeling very sound and sturdy. A start was made on the roof panels. First the use of a temporary guide batten along the top ridge. After nailing in the first two I had to sit back and think. These panels have a top and bottom as they are Tongue and Groove with chamfered edges. It took a search of the Internet to indicate they should be fitted with the chamfered edge down. Pretty edge looking inwards. Of course my luck meant the two already fitted were upside down and had to be removed! Progress speeded up when Philip came over and tapped home the bottom of the planels whilst I did the top. So not quite finished one side of roof and only one day of my holiday to go!
Status after day 17. Sunday.
It was a case of cutting the internal wall panel to accomodate the uncut gable. It is possible there was a K1 panel (slightly modified K panel) included, but certainly not identifiable now that all have been erected. Perhaps I should message the suppliers to include a warning as the inventory doesn't identify a separate K1 panel. This means two part-gables setup and with further help from Tony three of the roof beams. Some simply slot into place and others require some heavy banging with a mallet. Afternoon is Captain v Vice Captain and was a real winner as my rink scored top ends of the day!
Status after day 16. Saturday
Completed the wall panels on a cloudless day. Progress is a little slower as it now involves frequent trips up and down ladders. We aimed to get the gables set up but alas they did not have the groove necessary to fit the cut out in the wall panel below. Before deciding to cut either the Gable or the wall panel we decided to seek second opinion. The concesus at the moment is the internal wall panel is at fault. The last one should be subtly different from the others as the exploded diagram shows but shown as same as others in the inventory list. Let's leave until morning and perhaps a good night sleep will put a different perspective on it.
Status after Day 15. Friday
Progress at last. Early start on the floor board bearers and the first layer of wall panels. Check eveything is square and start the build. It is amazing how fast it can sprout. Even the doors and windows are in place. Worked until light failed around 8:30pm. Definitely coming to end of Summer if the Sun is going to bed that early.
Sorry shop still closed - rain
