For some reason, we always end up replacing doors and windows during winter, including this one! I reckon it's because the season is slower, so there's more time for bigger jobs like that. It's certainly not because of the weather! Happily, we got a string of mild days for Dan to tear out one of the windows in my sewing room and replace it with a door.
We discussed door placement options on this wall of windows: the middle window, perhaps? Or maybe the one on the end?
Considering how the room is set up, this end window near the exterior greenhouse door made the most sense. In the photo below, the new door will replace the window on the left, next to the old, obsolete chimney flue.
This will make it a straight shot from the living room, through my office, and then to the greenhouse. We haven't finished the walls in this end of the room, anticipating the installation of the door.
Dan had the usual challenges of updating a 100-year-old-house, such as different size building materials (for example, 2x4s were larger back then) and puzzling DIY construction techniques.
That's been the challenge with everything we've done! But Dan always manages and got the door opening framed out in no time.
Then the leveling, squaring, shimming, and securing. Here's his progress so far.
Next will be insulating the gaps and then putting up and painting the trims. And, of course, building some stairs.
25 comments:
That is a nice improvement! It probably makes your sewing room seem bigger too. Our walls are 6" thick because they are planked inside and out. They may not have been efficient, but they are sturdy.
Huzzah!!! I so wanted an attached greenhouse at my previous home. Never happened. So I have been vicariously enjoying your construction! So happy for you on the 'breakthrough! Take care! Hugs. Kris
What a game changer! I'll bet you visit the greenhouse a bit more now that it will be so easy! Great job, Dan!
Alex, I admit I'm thrilled with this door! It doesn't seem to effect the sewing room though, since I'm using bookshelves as room dividers between the studio and this "office" area. Once we finish the inside work, I may be able to shift the bookshelves a bit and get a bit more room for my sewing and weaving projects.
Kris, thanks! Honestly, we've had this on the master plan for at least a decade, and most of the time I never thought it would happen. So this is a huge improvement!
Daisy, right now I have blankets hung over the door until we get the gaps and cracks insulated and covered. But it's definitely a welcome addition to the greenhouse.
Good for you Leigh! We were very happy with doing the same thing years ago. I have enjoyed watching the progress on your greenhouse and look forward to seeing how you arrange your shelves and utilize the interior.
Fern
That's awesome! We have installing a window (where there is not one) on our to-do list. We too are waiting on a nice day, but I'm more so pushing my husband to solely focus on the hallway. It looks great!
Fern, thank you! I'm still trying to figure out what to do about shelves. And a potting bench. And tool and pot storage. One step at a time!
Kristina, there's never a truly convenient time to do doors and windows! It's just great to get them done. :)
That's a great addition to the plan. Dan truly amazes me with his ingenuity and skill. None of that floating around at this house!
Sue, thanks! :)
Not having to go outside sounds awesome, Leigh, especially when the weather is poor. Dan sounds like a real gem and so very handy. I think people a century ago devised things that worked, but didn't necessarily seem to make sense. They used what they had and did what they could. I love watching "Homestead Rescue" just to see how the Raneys problem solve. Misty is my heroine. Enjoy that new door and the convenience it provides! Hugs to you!
I've never heard of that program! Sounds really interesting (except we don't have a television service). Almost all of our improvements are Dan's handiwork. :)
Dan is amazing! You both are amazing! The new door looks really good and I love how it opens into the greenhouse. I LOVE your new greenhouse!
Thank you Henny! It's a wonderful addition and will be so useful in cold and rainy weather.
I haven't been as envious of something for a long time as I am now. It has long been a dream of mine to have a greenhouse/solarium attached to my house where I could enter without ever going outside.
Ed, we were fortunate that it was easy to do it this way. :) We did think about other locations, but we have so many trees that made them inconvenient. I'm just curious as to how it will effect house temperature in summer.
It is great that you have your very own handy man with great skills. This is going to be so nice and I know so convenient for you. Great addition. What size will the greenhouse be? looks great
Thanks, Shug! Finished size will be 8' by 16'.
Yay for progress! In the winter, our greenhouse is usually inaccessible due to the snow pack, so I totally understand wanting easy access to an area which will get a lot of use. I love the new door too. I'm finally thinking we should replace some of our over 100 year doors with something more efficient. Your's looks so fresh and nice.
Wow Leigh, that's fabulous. I always am intimidated by the idea of installing a door. I need to get over that fear because one does need to be replaced at some point. Great job Dan!
Nina, I can't imagine getting that much snow! At least not down here.
Trading out our old doors for energy efficient ones has really helped keep our house warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Ditto for replacing all the windows. I especially appreciate that all our new doors have window inserts. I love the extra light in our shady house.
Rain, I wouldn't be able to do it either! I've helped with all our doors so I have an idea of how it's done, but I'm just not that handy with tools. I'm glad to be an assistant.
NICE!!!
:)
It's so satisfying when you suddenly have a more convenient way of doing something that you'll be doing every day - good job!
Quinn, yes it is! I'm willing to put up with inconvenience to some extent, but I tend to analyze with an eye for improvement. This project was just a matter of patience, and well worth waiting for!
Nice job!!!
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