July 2009

Renovation // Transformation

Eichler Siding for Sale

We have four sheets of 4X8 Breckenridge 5/8-in Eichler siding for sale plus a smaller sheet 40X80 (a bit cut from the side and top).

$75 each for the full sizes and $50 for the smaller one.

We're in Concord and i have a truck and can help with transport (cost of gas?)… These have been stored flat and are in perfect shape. Let me know via email (link in top corner)

This Modern Life

Art Cool Up Close

Some folks have been inquiring about LGs Art Cool Minispit Air Conditioners. We installed the Cool/Heat units in the Summer of 2007 and have loved them. Aesthetics are a big part of our admiration as many of these are u.g.l.y. … however, with a sleek metallic-like finish and subtle construction, they don't look at all obtrusive… or not as obtrusive as they could otherwise.

When the work, the front and sides open up… and retract when off, of course.

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Renovation // Transformation

Garage Doors

One of the last items on the exterior is the rehabbing of the garage doors. Previously, we'd considered rebuilding the doors with the siding we'd purchased from Eichler Siding. While this might still be an option, it's a mighty undertaking: (1) they're crazy heavy, (2) they work well and (3) they've been in place for 40 years… and it might be one of those "if it ain't broke" situations… so for now, we're trying to save the existing doors even though the siding isn't a perfect match smoothness-wise. But that's what we're now trying to remedy.

Thanks to Jacob and TJ for scraping a good bit of the paint off of the doors — a much needed first step. Then, re-grooving the lost grooves was in order. The old grooves were more shallow and had already lost a good bit of depth from layers of paint. I tried several methods: scraping, solvent, Dremel…

The Dremel tool wandered too much and caused more damage than otherwise. Had I set up a track to guide it, it'd be ideal (straight, uniform depth, even width), but there are a lot of grooves to be setting up a track for each groove would be too time consuming (might as well rebuild the doors with clean siding).

Nothing has worked quite as well as the Rockwell SoniCrafter which
was a gift from Casie's dad. Similar to a Fein MultiMaster, it vibrates
at a high velocity for cutting, sawing, grinding, etc. and using the
grout removal attachment, I'm able to get into the grooves and clear
them out. It's a slow process, but it seems to be working.

Hopefully by day's end, we'll have matching garage doors.

Oh, and the handle-hardware: who know it was wrought-iron looking? An odd craftsman touch, methinks.

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Renovation // Transformation

Blinds.com Savings

As you can tell from the past couple of posts, I'm a fan of the Phifer Solar Shades from Blinds.com… a few hiccups with the last order, but the staff was wonderful in sorting them out.

So… I just got this and thought I'd share…

Save 20% on Phifer solar shades during the month of July! Solar shades have the ability to cut glare which makes them ideal for media rooms, studies, or any sun-facing room where sun control is desired.

Use code: solar20 at checkout.

I also got a paper-coupon in the mail valid for a bit longer…

20% off of Phifer Solar Shades / code#: PHIF-TRYEG (good thru Aug 10th)

Now that the summer's heating up, it's a good time to get shades on you windows. It helped ours tremendously.

This Modern Life

Fun on the Fourth

We've started to form a sense of community here in Rancho Del Diablo — neighbors like Kyle (see the red-nosed trumpet player below) and Sarah are excellent catalysts to get out and meet new folks (note 8mo. pregnant woman on the bike below — that's Sarah. I think she ran a marathon at month-7, so she's got moxie)… They organized a neighborhood parade for the 4th. Pretty low-fi and impromptu, but high on the fun factor and it brought even more neighbors into the street.

Sara G. is our neighborhood photographer and has captured a lot of good images on her blog.

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