Most of the work has been outside since the last update. We really wanted to get our some progress on the porch and patio. The porch screening had to be put off because none of the local stores carried screens with an adequate width to cover the opening. With that on the back burner we got to work on the patio.
The first step was excavating and placing the forms for the patio. This was by far the most physically demanding step.
The radius was formed using MDF Bender boards.
This is before the middle has been excavated. All the high areas that are closer to the camera had to be knocked down and the dirt was thrown down to the low area in the distance. Once excavated the area was 6" deep.
Using Craigslist I found a guy that came out that very same morning. His estimate and his knowledge of stamped concrete was in line with what I was looking for. The pour was scheduled for 3 days later.
In this picture you can see the rebar grid that was laid in the concrete. The rebar gives the brittle concrete more tensile strength to resist heaving, which is really not a problem down here but I usually go with overkill.
The concrete is then colored with a color hardener which is troweled into the actual concrete. Not only does the color hardener color the concrete, but it also increases the hardness of the exterior of the concrete. A second color which is a release agent is broadcast (i.e. hand thrown) onto the concrete immediately before the stamps are laid down. The stamps are numbered and are laid in a grid pattern. A rubber tamp is then used to create an impression of the stamp in the concrete. In the above photo you can see the dark brown color hardener and the lighter tan is the release agent.
This is a few hours after the stamping was completed. The long lines are expansions joints. In this photo the release agent and the forms have yet to be removed.
The next day I used a broom to brush the release agent off the patio. The Weber charcoal was then placed onto its new home, but it looked lonely.
We decided that it needed a big brother. After having this grill for about three weeks I can say that so far it is one of the best purchases we have ever made. I obsess over reading reviews and researching before I make a purchase. The Weber Genesis E330 had the highest reviews in its price range and is living up to it.
Gratuitous food pic. Also seen in this pic is the new patio set we got. The Texas burnt orange was not my first choice, however it has grown on me.
Above is a picture with the screens in and the caps on the tracks. After getting the base system up the screening and capping of the tracks was very simple. I also highly recommend the Screen tight system for anybody looking to screen in a porch. One of the biggest example is that with this system I was able to span large gaps and did not have to break up the upper portions of the porch.
Much to the puppy's dismay I found this system at home depot. Simply put, this is the puppy's "water closet". I intended on putting a small fence that matched the other fence here. However, sometimes convenience trumps aesthetics. This may eventually be filled with river rock to prevent the mutt from tracking mud into the home.
Our favorite photo from our wedding looks perfect over our fireplace. We really dig this clean cut appearance with the candle holders helping to extend the mantle and ground the picture.
After the furniture store mixing up our order multiple times we finally had everything delivered. This picture does not do the living room justice. It really has that southern rustic charm, we will probably bring some more of the blue accents pillows out with either an accent wall or by some other means.
I was finally able to hang our hammock up. This hammock is a cotton "Mayan" style hammock. It is huge, and it is impossible to not fall asleep in it once you lay down. Also seen in this picture are the wife's first attempts at gardening. I am pleases to say that after 3-4 days the plants are still alive. The final detail in this photo is the ceiling fan. This and its twin not seen were a house warming gift. They are really going to come in handy considering the fact that the thermometer has hit 100 degrees the past two days.
We have also been hanging art around the house. Eventually we will have it all up. The office looks great with our diplomas hung up, can't wait to have to realign them after the wife finishes her PHD.
That's all for now. Update will continue as we finish things. Next up is some planting and transplanting around the yard.
