The roof is silvered! And I think it's really helped - don't get me wrong, it's still hot upstairs, but significantly cooler than before the silvering.
As per usual, it took much longer than I predicted, so of course we were up there in the hottest part of the day. That paint was impossible to stir! Stirring by hand = 30 minutes. Stirring with drill attachment = 5 minutes. Having a friend with enough smarts to make me go back to Lowe's for the attachment = priceless. Many thanks to said smart friend, who brought muscles and cheerfulness to the process in addition to brains.
The paint was also quite difficult to work with. Despite all attempts, we did manage to get it all over our shoes, on us, all over the painting poles. And all over the ladder to the roof, and a couple drips on the hallway floor (it's getting removed at some point anyway). We tried really hard to be neat! It's really tarry and hard to remove as well. Ick.
One silver roof:
Erin and I hung the window treatments too! Not having towels taped over my windows is a lovely thing. Now I just have to buy the curtain rods for the living room, and they'll be all done!
Slideshow:
Ok, I didn't actually paint the roof last weekend. It rained. But with the assistance of my poor mom (who I'm sure really enjoys going to Lowe's every time she comes down), I did buy the paint. And discovered that the insulation is way too big to transport on my own - I'll have to have it delivered, or have a contractor do it (planning to call a friend's recommendation to see what's cheaper).
So this weekend, I'm gonna -
- Paint the roof
- Finish the closet (got the mortar and the quarter round last weekend)
- Maybe even finish the base and top of Erin's cabinet.
- And the window treatments all came in! Hanging those for sure.
Goals.
I made it up to the roof this weekend. On the plus side, the view is lovely.
On the minus side, my roof is black and have have zero insulation in the "attic". Therefore - project next weekend will be to acquire silver roof paint and insulation, and paint the roof. Insulating it will have to wait for the week after. Why? Because it's HOT in the upstairs. And it'll make us that more environmentally sound.
I did also manage to do the last coat of joint compound on Erin's wall, hang the new mailbox, replace the broken outlet in my room (that one wasn't grounded to the outlet either Dad), and mostly seal up the downstairs closet. I just have to get the cement for the floor and a new piece of quarter round and it'll be done.
The project planning for the backyard fence is starting as well - all the lovely pictures in this slideshow are to show Dad the current backyard so we can figure out how to sink the posts for the fence where the patio is...
Slideshow:
So have you noticed that everything takes me a million years to do? I have. Therefore the project list for this weekend is not terribly new and exciting:
- Erin's wall
- Downstairs closet
- Investigate attic for insulation preparation
- Hang mailbox #3
- Replace broken outlet in my room.
It's good to have goals. Even if they seem to remain the same from week to week...
The trend continues - more work on Erin's wall. And hopefully the downstairs closet. I would really like to get back to the dining room, too. There will also be some banister stripping done, courtesy of a friend who actually likes that stuff, so if you want something to do on a rainy Sat, there's plenty available!
Hooray! New windows are in! And I might be slightly high from the caulking fumes...
They look great, I'm excited about them. The guys did a really good job (at least, I think so now. I'll wait until tomorrow's rainstorm before drawing my full conclusion). Two of them look a little ridiculous to me - the windows are straight, but the existing outside moldings look a little crooked, which makes the windows kind of look like they are winking. But once the treatments are up, I don't think you'll be able to tell...
Anyway, I'm really excited to see how these do in making it quieter in here! As well as the breezes in the winters, of course... Pictures after we hang the window treatments.
Oh - and did I screw up? There was great debate over whether or not to tip them (I mean, it seems to be accepted that you don't tip plumbers and electricians, so does this apply to all skilled handymen?). I had money in my pocket ready to go - but the one guy just disappeared, and the head guy charged my card, shook my hand and was out the door. There didn't seem to be an expectant pause, so I didn't tip them. Was I wrong? Share your thoughts...
The front window replacements are being installed this Fri (please please let them be more soundproof!), so it was time to actually buy curtains and blinds/shades. After hours of looking with Erin, we still haven't completely settled on the shades. But I ordered the curtains. And really - who knew curtains are sold singly? Who in the world thinks, "I should dress up my windows. Guess I'll buy a curtain. Don't need two, that's just wasteful. One'll do me." Let's not even talk about why a single piece of fabric is $60... Gaak.
Also, I think Dad was right (hush Dad), and I do need to prioritize insulating the "attic". It was HOT upstairs last night, and it was only 80 degrees. I might boil when it's 100 outside. Researching.
I did do some actual work this weekend. Will post that later tonight with the pics.
Ok, so I'm slacking a bit on the posting. Really I'm slacking on the picture taking, which is causing me to slack on the posting...
Dad managed a ton of stuff last weekend. I helped a little bit too. He cut down the dog-run style fence cutting my yard in half, planted two lilac bushes, closed up the pipe in the downstairs closet, and most exciting - began the closing of the destruction I wreaked on Erin's wall!
Originally I had just wanted to drywall off the wall, and either build a little closet or just close off the pipe. But Dad (who by his own admission has been watching a lot of DIY tv shows), had an idea of building in shelves that would mirror the existing ones on the other side of the room. The project was not without its struggles (things learned - not only should you actually draw full plans before beginning, you probably shouldn't measure and do math while hungover), but it's going to really look great! Dad got all the pieces up already, we just have the finish work left. And a couple molding-type pieces to put on. Pictures soon, I promise.
So this weekend - lots finish work to do on the cabinets and drywall, and the downstairs closet. I'd also like to take advantage of the nice weather to do some cleanup outside. Maybe even mow the weeds. It would also be exciting to try the new bbq...
Lots of possibilities! Dad's in town, so not quite sure what we'll manage. I know there will be some planting involved! Besides that, hopefully some work on Erin's wall, and maybe closing the downstairs pipe back up... I always either over- or under- estimate the amount of work we can do though!
