Almost done with the framing

Tomorrow they will finish off the framing. We've had to get creative with some of the angles and cubbies, but I think in general it is going to turn out really well. Thank you to Carosyl Home Additions for fast and skilled work! And for being available when most contractors don't even bother to return calls.

Sylvain of Carosyl (doesn't that sound like Sir Gawain of Camelot?), had some suggestions for encapsulating and mitigating the asbestos upstairs as well. He has had a lot of experience in that area, and he has taken a shine to our little church. We welcome his ideas, because the nooks and crannies upstairs are harder to deal with than those downstairs.

Stay tuned for the next exciting episode!

Framing out the basement

Because the asbestos was directly on the cement walls in the basement, DDCon was unable to remove it entirely, since cement is porous. They sprayed it with a sealant, but we still have to encapsulate it, and the best way to do that is with spray foam insulation. And insulating the basement is a good idea anyway. So today the crew has started framing out the walls. They've removed a foot of the ceiling all the way around the room, so we can also insulate the headers and so they can attach the inner walls to the joists.

After some weighing of pros and cons, we've decided to square off the windows, which currently angle off to right and left. It loses a bit of the character of the place, but it's simpler, cheaper, and covers the cement better. We'll be left with deep window sills, which I find charming.

We can't do the electrical work and insulation yet, though, because we have yet to receive the report from the Conservation Authority, so once the framing is done, all progress comes to a screeching halt. They have yet to tell us if we have to make any special accommodations (for example, raising all electrical outlets further off the ground in case of flooding). Personally, I think potential flooding should be the concern of my insurance company, not the Conservation Area (and we're up on a hill and have had no history of floods in the 80+ years the church has been here), but there's no point in arguing, I guess. Though at this rate, I'll be ready for a nursing home by the time we get the zoning approved!

At least there's a little visible progress in the meantime. A few shots of the chaos in the basement:

 

More photos of the windows from Trillium Glass

Very happy with how these have turned out. The whole building looks brighter and cleaner. I highly recommend them!

Happier Windows

Aaron from Trillium Glass has cleaned up, painted, and covered the four stained glass windows in the vestibule and the one high on the south wall of the sanctuary. The glass has unobtrusive vents top and bottom to allow heat to escape when it builds up between the window and the covering, so the stained glass won't be further damaged. It should also help with keeping summer humidity out and warmth in in the winter. It buys us time to restore the stained glass, letting us work on those windows already removed in the sanctuary. I'm glad to know they won't be deteriorating while my focus is elsewhere.

Aaron reported a stampede of spiders as he worked, which made painting interesting. Glad he was the one doing it and not me -- strong startled reactions and screams aren't advisable when balancing on a ladder.

I will paint the remaining window sills white to match the ones he did.

Very happy to see progress, and to know the building's envelope is becoming more and more weather-tight! The windows look so much cleaner and prettier now, and I can't help but think they are pleased with their new summer look.