An update! (Albeit, a lame one.)

They say a picture's worth a thousand words...

Unfortunately, we need far more than that right now.

The garage goes up

This is what I discovered when I next showed up at the building site:

a garage!

The thing with the garage... it uses new technology in timber building where layers of wood are bonded to form beams as strong as steel (insert heroic music here, please).

Great stuff. Unfortunately a large building in town is being built using the same technology... and since we are much smaller fish in the building project pond, our timber supply got bumped. And there were delays - just a couple of weeks, but we are anxious.

So. It's nice to see the garage going up.

Insulation

OK. So we have walls. Next step is insulation...

And since we are in New Zealand, where sheep outnumber people, we use wool batts!

I like that they use old fashioned shearers to cut the batts to size.

I also like the smell - very barn-like. (Greg is not as impressed with this aspect.)

Walls - of a sort

Next step - windows, sliding doors and walls... or at least wall wrap. They wrap the outer walls of the house with a weatherproof membrane.

Wait, not just any membrane... membranes of science! Of the future!!

That's right, only the best, most futuristic membranes for us.

And it's really starting to look house-like now. And I am very, very pleased.

(Yep. Me. Looking pleased.)

A roof over our heads

We've got a roof!! Which we couldn't wait to check out first hand.

That's me trying to look scenic while gripping the ladder with white knuckled fear. (I don't like ladders.)

It really pulls the house together, a roof. There is an immense amount of satisfaction over having protection from the rain.

Can you feel the joy?

The framework is almost complete and you can really get a good feel for the rooms.

This is walking up to the front door...

The main living area. (We have wood covering the floor to prevent any major scraping to the concrete floors.)

The hallway to the bedrooms.

View out of the master bedroom.

The overall grand design.

The man.

(I just really like this picture! He looks like a slightly bedraggled superhero.)

Scaffolding

The end of our living area opens up to huge windows that overlook an amazing view of the mountains. There is an overhanging roof supported by a frame of metal beams. How do you get that framework in place?

Veeeerrrrryyyy carefully... using a winch off the truck, some cable and crossed fingers.

More framework

The framework continues and you can start to get a feel for things...

The kitchen... a temporary stage for goofy guys.

Starting to take shape

Frames

Frames!

Big stacks of frames!!

All labeled and numbered like a giant build your own model set!!!

Pouring the pad

Big trucks came with a crew of many.

And the pad was poured.

Now we just had to keep it wet for the next few days so that it could cure. This is easier said than done when the days are still very warm, you get a stiff breeze every afternoon, and the water supply can be temperamental.

There were issues, but everything has worked out. A grinder was brought in...

And Voila! We have beautiful concrete floors!

Underfloor Heating

The next step is putting in some insulation under the pad. This will keep heat from draining out of the house.

On top of the styrofoam panels goes the piping for our underfloor heating.

That's right - a heating system.

People around here think we are a bit obsessive about having a warm house in the winter - but they are just rather deluded by the fact that New Zealand is a Pacific island. It still gets cold... and I appreciate warmth!