All posts by robert.kaplan

The Process

I had to get plates and beams cut close to size by my metal fabricator then I transported all the material on my truck to the work site.

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Once the steel beams/posts were welded, bolted and chemically  set into place we had to place struts into the webbing of the existing trusses as the load points shifted.

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Here we are double platting a floor joist which will be tucked on the outside underside of the floor. We are laminating and leaving space for three tie down rods. Below is the start of our framing.

 

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Tie down, speed bracing, roof insullation and facia installed.

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The Result

Once the roof was water tight we fixed and set the gyprock. We didn’t fix the front window in until we brought in all our wall and ceiling plaster sheets in over the roof. Tip Before you build, work out a plan which includes materials delivery for each stage of your works. Sometimes you need to get materials weeks in advance to work areas before you close off that area. 

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External cladding was replicated as before. We recycled the cladding from the previous gable and used it to do our stitching around the windows on both the front and rear faces. This was an existing masonite sheet. The side where the gable is has a similar pattern being made of concrete fibro. We gave the sheets a couple of coats of paint before fixing them to reduce painting on the roof. Nails and gap filling will have to be done and nail heads painted but cutting will be not be required where the cladding meets the roof.

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The client wanted a bulkhead built over the bed head. This was best achieved by having all the plaster square set in that area. We did the setting and sanding and the client will do the painting.

This is how it looks now.

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Task

I was asked by the client to relocate the front entry into the house. The in window near the door had to be closed in cladded both sides. Inside the house the client had removed a load bearing wall previously and wanted me to replicate a small wall the same as they had constructed previously.

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The Process

We purchased the weather boards required from a house demolisher. There are two reasons for this. First you reduce the impact of building on the environment by recycling and secondly the timber is aged so it won’t shrink or warp, it will also be the closest match in profile and timber grade.

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Existing flooring in the previous door opening which was under the door sill had to be cut back flush with the frame to make a proper weather separation. If we had rested the weather board onto the deck, water would be able to travel inside the house.

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We made staggered cuts in the weather board cladding to tie in the materials. This makes it stronger as it is locked in but also reduces movement in your joins. It takes longer, but it is the only way and the proper way to do things. I have seen too many job sites where trades people of handy men do things wrong with roofs, walls and floor tie in. below is one example of it.

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Notice that they only had to buy four boards and the job would have been easy to do but would also be right. Also have a look at the window sill the stop ends and sill are wrong and also the wrong material was used. The roof has had a couple of sheet put in on a rusted roof. The owner will paint everything and no one will be none the wiser except for someone with a keen eye. Probably this house will be renovated and sold.

 

Task

I was asked by the client to repair and restore the existing deck and to build a walkway from the garage to the deck at the rear of the house. The clients pet dogs messed up the pathways so this would also fix that problem.

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Process

The property is situated on a busy road as well as having only pathway access to the back of the house everything had to be carried and removed by hand.  The plan was to make sure that materials were on site during and after the footings were dug and soil removed. With limited access it had to be a very clean work site every day. This was also a safety issue to address.

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The Challenges

The existing deck was so low to the ground that the soil was touching the underside of the bearers in places. We removed the soil as well as loose timber laying there. The spa had to be removed and the deck sanded and stained to make the deck look new.  An extension had to be made to look original. Also a pair of gates had to be made.

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The Result

The  outcome was that the deck had more room and looked original as it matched the same height of the previous one.  Four coats of decking oil were applied to enhance the look and longevity of the deck. You will see that the clients pets are also using the deck. Two new gates had to be built as the old ones were cactus.

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