Exterior Changes

In the last couple of weeks they have started work on the front entryway and the rear wall of the house that is not finished in masonry. There is also one picture showing the step lighting being placed in the front stairway of the house. Enjoy the pictures.

Finally Starting to Look New

I am sure our neighbors are glad that the house is very near being sealed up. That means that from the outside it is becoming less of an eyesore. I haven't been this excited about pictures since they poured the foundation 18 months ago.
I also want to admit when I was wrong about an idea regarding this house. Jeff Lucas did have to convince me to replace all of the windows in the front of the house if we were going to put new ones in the first floor. I was trying to save a little money but after seeing these pictures I am glad that he managed to change my mind. Enjoy.

Exterior and Insulation Pictures

The concrete for the limestone stairs has been poured. There a couple of other pictures showing other exterior work that is being done on the house including power washing the front facade, new chimney, and a very nimble down spout. They have also started to blow in some of the insulation and placing some of the lights now that the ventilation has been installed. I know it is not that glamorous but I love the fact that the whole house will have blown insulation. After living in drafty places really since I moved away from my parents home, I will look forward to a warm place to call my own home during the winter months.

Little Bit of 2nd Floor Framing and Exterior Work

I am little behind on this update but wanted to do them in order. Here are some pictures of the back exterior wall of the house and some pictures of the second floor framing that is now complete.

Standing in middle bedroom looking towards the front bedroom; Into master bath (right)

Closet on north wall of front bedroom(left); Master bed closet(right)

First Floor Framing Near Completion

Last set of pictures from the first floor framing that is being done. It is starting to feel like a home - sort of.

Framing Update September 6

These pictures show the framing being done on the first floor of the house. Second floor framing follows the next week.

Framing and Lighting Placement

There are pros and cons to living in London while building a house in Chicago. If Jeff wasn't willing to go the extra mile by taking pictures of possibilities and then waiting patiently for our responses we would really have no say in how this thing turns out. The blue tape marks possible locations for, sconces, down lights, outlets, and water.

Taking a Step Back - Waterproofing

I want to document the extra process that Jeff Lucas, our contractor, recommended as were deciding how to waterproof the house. There are two traditional ways to erect masonry walls. The first option is to lay the brick as the cinder block wall goes up. This is easier and therefore cheaper to do it this way. The second way it to erect the cinder block wall first with the hook and eye anchor system and then coat that in a water proof layer. After that is finished the brick is then laid and tied to the existing wall with the previously mentioned eye of the hook and eye system. Here are the pictures that show this process although not very clearly due to the coating also being the gray color of the cinder block.