Garage Trusses UP

It really does change the appearance to have the roof trusses on the garage. While obviously taller, I think it makes the garage look smaller. The crane showed up as expected around 7:15 am this morning. By 12:30 pm, they were folding the crane back up and stowing all their gear. I asked "Our" Mike when he expected to lift the sunroom trusses and he said something about thinking they might do it before the crane arrived this morning, but the crane arrived early. Whatever, Mike told me on Wednesday the crane would be here at 7:00 am. Hence, I did not learn anything about when the sunroom trusses will go up. Mike later told me that he had gotten a call from Jim (glass roof) wanting to get an update. Mike said he told Jim that he thought he would be able to finalize the dimensions on the glass roof within a week. That was encouraging!

Just before he left, I mentioned to Mike that, while I assumed he already knew, I just wanted to ensure he was aware that the current construction permit will expire in about three weeks, on February 11. Mike was shocked and denied the permit had any expiration date. I took him around to the front door and, sure enough, it expires on February 11, 2015. Mike thanked me and we agreed, it is just another City revenue enhancement technique. Mike noted that the house he is building in St. Louis County is six times the investment as our project, but the county construction permit was about one-half what the City of St. Louis charged us for our permit. That made me feel good as well.

The trusses are on 16" centers. Between the middle and right hand door, he left one spacing at 24" so that we can install a folding stairway if we so desire.

After a pleasant brunch, we stopped by the art glass shop and met the co-owner, Gary, Gerald's business partner. Gary showed us the stained glass window before it is leaded together. T was very happy with the way it turned out, and therefore, so am I. Gary thought they would have it finished and ready to mount in the window frame in a couple of weeks.

Truss Prep

What a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky, calm winds and a temperature around 50F. Tomorrow should be the same.

For the first time since December 10, 2014, "Our" Mike and Nate showed up to do some work around 7:00 am this morning. The main purpose was to prepare for the "big truss lift" tomorrow. They worked until about 11:30 am and then departed. They cut up some 2x4 and put some supports down the center of the garage. Still not sure if they will only be putting the garage trusses in place or will also be lifting the sunroom trusses. The cynic in me guesses they will not. When I talked with Mike Wednesday evening, again he mentioned something about hopefully picking up the pace of the work. I will believe it when it happens.

They also tore off the top 3 layers of the sunroom hot tub bay glass roof foundation that they installed back on December 10. These were mistakenly installed due to a failure in communication between the Tyler (architect) and "Our" Mike. Not including the cost of the lumber they tore off, I figure the mistake cost at least 10 hours of labor, and that labor is not cheap. What is equally sad is that it has been very frustrating waiting for work to be accomplished on the project, only to have to spend time undoing some of that work. Again, I attribute this mistake, in part, to how long this project has dragged on, and other mistakes are expected. Details and decisions are forgotten and the lack of continuity cannot result in efficiency. Maybe things will improve.

New Glass Roof Foundation

Wasted Lumber

I called the art glass shop this morning since I never received an acknowledgement of the email I sent yesterday about the inclusion of the "ring" around the 4-petal medallions. I asked Kim if she got the email, she had not seen it, but quickly found it in her mail box. She said she would get with Gerald and get back with us if there were any issues with including the ring. Very soon thereafter, she called back and said that they have already cut the glass for the petals and, if they wanted them to do so, they would revise the design and re-cut them. I consulted T and she said not to worry about it, it would be OK without the ring. I was a little annoyed since I had sent the email early yesterday afternoon. I should have called immediately to confirm she had seen it. Later this afternoon, Kim called again to say that all of the glass has now been cut, and if we wanted to look at it before they started the leading process, someone should be in the shop tomorrow (Saturday) between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. I told her we would try to stop by.

Art Glass Design

T did her evaluation of the stained glass samples we brought home from the art glass shop earlier this week. A couple of them were not exactly what she wanted. After lunch, we headed off to visit with Gerald (art glass). Gerald showed us the full sized template of the window which T approved. We also went back into the back of the glass shop with Gerald and Graham to look through their vast assortment of glass. T finally decided on the right glass. Gerald estimated he would be ready to mount the art glass in the frame in two or three weeks. I asked him to give us a call and let us see his work before he mounts it.

Once we got home, we were discussing the design. For some reason, I failed to take a photo of the template, but both T and I realized there was not a "ring" around the 4-petal medallions in each upper corner. I sent a note to Kim asking her to please pass on to Gerald that we would like to ensure there is a ring, unless there is something that he believes would prevent it. The coloration of the ring around the petals would be the same as the border around the arch.

Tomorrow we are expecting to see "Our" Mike. The weather continues to warm up. It was clear, sunny and in the upper 40's. Supposed to be a beautiful weekend. Next week's forecast continues to be dry with the temperatures falling throughout the week. The high on Monday is supposed to 50F and the high on Friday of 30F. Still, it is better than what we had during the first two weeks of the the month and we remain hopeful.

Trusses Away

Talked with "Our" Mike this afternoon. The crane to lift the garage trusses into place will be here at 0700 hours Saturday morning. Mike believes we can get all of them up in one day. The sunroom trusses will be manhandled into position. Not sure if he is planning to do that at the same time or not. Mike said he would be here on Friday to get things ready for the "big" lift on Saturday. The weather will be mostly sunny and warmer, in the mid-50's. Forecast for next week looks pretty for now.

Also got a call from Kim at the art glass shop. She said the full size template is complete and, if we approve it, they are ready for us to make the glass selection so they can start work. From what Gerald said yesterday, I had the impression that T had more time to make her glass selection. Anyway, I told Kim we would try to make it in this week.

Stained Glass

Today, we went down to the Marvin window dealership and picked up the window to be mounted over the south door of the sunroom. We took this over to the art glass shop where they will fabricate the stained glass. T and Gerald (stain glass) spent an hour going over the potential coloration options. We don't have to decide immediately on the specific glass to be used. There is a lot of work that can be done before they are ready to mount the glass. We brought home several samples of glass for her to consider.

T and Gerald Looking at Glass Samples

Strategizing with Gerald

Lots of choices

The basic design is the same as was proposed to us back in early September. We have opted to go with an overall rectangular shaped window with the Gothic arch embedded in it. This significantly reduced the cost of the Marvin window into which the stained glass will be mounted, behind the double insulated glass panes.

Four-petal medallion in the main stairway window

Sketch of new sunroom stained glass

The challenge for T is to select the colors that will coordinate (not necessarily match) those of the window in our main stairway. You will not be able to simultaneously observe the existing stairway stained glass and the new sunroom glass, but she wants them to coordinate.

Main Stairway Stained Glass Window

Gerald asked how much time he has to make the window. I told him I would guess a couple of months. I hope I am not overly optimistic! He indicated that would be more than enough time. We left the Marvin window in their care, put down a deposit on the new stained glass creation and headed to the store. Gerald asked for me to confirm the window orientation. Once we got home, I called "Salesman" Mike and confirmed the rough opening dimensions are 32-1/4"W and 34"T. I sent Gerald (via Kim) an email with that confirmation.