Bamboo Floor
Bringing us up to date! This previous weekend's project was the floor. Ben hasn't had any experience putting a hardwood floor in but we had heard it was pretty easy if you rent the air compressed nail gun. Originally we were going to put down nice plywood and paint it, but were encouraged by a couple people (Art, Marty) to go for a more professional look, and a bit of research showed that we could buy Bamboo for pretty cheap, so we decided to go for it. It's MUCH more chic!
Friday I was helping Ben, but the first hit with the rented nailgun was a really loud ear-splitting noise and I felt the baby in my belly literally jump. I was out of there fast and wouldn't go back in the rest of the weekend when they were using it.
Saturday morning our friends Steve and Sibylle arrive to help. Thank god. The not-so-fab nailgun (Steve is using it below) does not sink the nails all the way into the wood as it should, so they have to hand sink each and every one them the rest of the way with a metal thing (nail set) - that's over 1500 nails hammered basically by hand. It was hot and brutal and frusterating but Steve kept Ben somewhat sane just being there working next to him. We are extremely grateful!! Still, Ben's hands and back are still bothering him several days later.
As an aside- our washer and dryer came and got hooked up. Not that we can use it yet with our dirty water, but whatever. Eventually we'll get to drag our city laundry up every weekend which totally beats going to the laundramat around the corner.
First we nailed down roofing felt to minimize squeeking.
Ben begins- the first strips are "faced-nailed" straight through the top. It's very important to begin with a straight line, otherwise by the other side of the room you may get a totally wonky thing happening.
Friday I was helping Ben, but the first hit with the rented nailgun was a really loud ear-splitting noise and I felt the baby in my belly literally jump. I was out of there fast and wouldn't go back in the rest of the weekend when they were using it.Saturday morning our friends Steve and Sibylle arrive to help. Thank god. The not-so-fab nailgun (Steve is using it below) does not sink the nails all the way into the wood as it should, so they have to hand sink each and every one them the rest of the way with a metal thing (nail set) - that's over 1500 nails hammered basically by hand. It was hot and brutal and frusterating but Steve kept Ben somewhat sane just being there working next to him. We are extremely grateful!! Still, Ben's hands and back are still bothering him several days later.
Meanwhile Sibylle and I have a much easier time doing much less- we do all the womanly things like going to the store, preparing food, doing dishes, relaxing by the pond, and making sure there are ice cold beers ready for when they quit.
Below Steve is hard at work laying floor in the bedroom.
They're getting there...
As an aside- our washer and dryer came and got hooked up. Not that we can use it yet with our dirty water, but whatever. Eventually we'll get to drag our city laundry up every weekend which totally beats going to the laundramat around the corner.
At the end of the day we all relax and BBQ up a nice meal.
The crew, with the (almost finished) floor. The rest will be done by hand this coming weekend. These guys really saved us last weekend.
Thanks guys.
posted by Megan and Ben at 7:01 PM
6 Comments:
I am in awe at the belly shot! Hope Ben's back and hands are better. I guess you are really in the countdown, yes? We will miss you at Tuolumne this year - Rach
That floor is so not wonky. That floor is bee-utiful.
Love the knee pads on the dishwasher. The hand on the belly. Sybille at the pond. The heros in the house. The washer, standing ready for lots of tiny garments.
xxxmomk
OK, 'heroes'.
xxx
OK,ok...'Sibylle'?
Sorry, Sibylle!
xxx
Megan and Ben, you are doing a wonderfull job. We are both soo impressed. And I specially like the "asparagus" color on the kitchen wall.
Johanna and Marek
People should read this.
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