Structural Reinforcement Begins (plus Painting)
Today, our roofing contractor, Brad Sellmeyer of ABS Home Services, got to work preparing for the roofing job that is to come.
We agreed that both the house roof and the garage roof needed some structural reinforcement before anybody should be walking around on them. (The garage actually needed it a lot more than the house.)
However, Terry and I had decided that, as long as we’re reinforcing the roof, might as well go “all the way” and have Brad double-up on the roof rafters. (Our home inspector had suggested this. The original rafters (2 x 4′s made out of fir) are still there. But the roof sags slightly. It made sense to “sister” these boards with some new pine 2 x 6′s… and then throw a layer of styrofoam-board-like insulation between these rafters…. and finally cover that with plywood.
Eventually, I’m sure we’ll “finish off” the attic / third floor. But for now, just getting some insulation up there will be a real blessing, I’m sure!
So, Brad’s working on this now.
Meanwhile, my wife and I bought some paint over the weekend. And today, she painted my computer room / office… which is basically one of the second floor bedrooms that I have “claimed”. I’ll post some photos of the color when I get a chance.
Within a few days, we hope to paint the living room as well.
We were pleased to discover that Lowe’s has some interior paint… a brand called “American Traditions”…. where some of the specific colors they offer are labelled with a special seal. This seal is for the “National Trust for Historic Preservation”.
Basically, such colors have already been researched and identified as being “historically accurate”. That is, they were colors used “years ago”. Now, I’m not exactly sure just what time-frame we are talking about, but I’m assuming it must be some time between the time when America was founded… and about 100 years ago. Just a guess.
Here’s a link to more information on this paint: http://www.nationaltrust.org/historic_homeowner/protecting/american_traditions_paint.html
Either way, for the record’s sake… I am recording here the names and codes of the colors we have decided to go with:
2nd floor bedroom / computer room = “Grand Hotel Awning Yellow” (2008-1C)
living room = “Jekyll Club Veranda Yellow” (3005-6A)
At the time that I am writing this, they have an interactive color visualizer online. You can use this (do a “search” when you’re within the program) to locate the exact colors I have named, if you’re curious.