Home Improvement 101

Well, it was time to energize the construction power tool batteries and ready to tackle another home improvement project.

The Objective:  Replace the kitchen nook window with a new French door:

New French door from a local building supply store.

Jeanette and I found the ideal French door last Monday.  It has the 'in window' venetian blinds that we were keen on.   The motorcycle trailer was ideal for delivery of the door back to our  home.

Tuesday morning:  Let the renovation begin!

Using my Fein saw, I began by cutting into the gyproc.

It didn't take too long before the gyproc (sheet rock) was off, the polythene rolled back and the insulation removed.

Electrical: It was quickly apparent that an electrician would be required.  As I had thought, the computerized sprinkler system had to be moved, a new circuit would be required for our improved electrical needs and a few other touches were required too.  I phoned our best contact Mathew, the electrician, and he agreed to leave his current jobs to accommodate us on Thursday morning.  That suited us well because I could complete the install of the French door, take Wednesday off to have lunch with a long time TV Producer friend before hitting the links for our regular Wednesday Men's Golf Night.

Late Tuesday afternoon.

Once his work day was over with, son in law Trevor dropped by our home to help me move and install the French door.  By the time he arrived, I had removed the existing 2X6 framing studs, rebuilt the framing to accommodate the new door (which was considerably wider than the existing window) build and install a new header, and cut the opening on the sun room side of the project.

It took very little time to place door, level, shim and secure it to the new framing.

OK.  This project is taking shape. Following the needed electrical work, the finishing work will commence.

Good improvement.  The sprinkler system control unit has been moved and it now needs electrical intervention to clean it up with new wiring.

This renovation will open the sun room to the kitchen/family room/nook on nice summer days.

The sprinkler system had to be moved and re-wired.

Two electrical plugs/circuits were relocated.

Mathew, the electrician, was at our home early Thursday morning, as promised, and the work began in earnest.  He made quick work with some complex re-wiring and within three hours, his work was done.

Turning off the required breakers to move a couple of circuits.

Electricians are like magicians, especially in renovation work.  They can make complex installs look magically easy once the tough work is done.  Mathew is especially gifted at complex tasks.

The last circuit is nearing completion.  This is one of the new receptacles in the sun room.

With the electrical completed, I began the task of finishing the install of the French door.  That required some fitting tricks to allow the doors to open and close easily.  Once that was accomplished, the door was secured.  The insulation and vapour barrier were replaced.  Now it's time to focus on completing the finishing. 

Out on the back patio working the table saw.

It is now Friday morning and I am soon to run off to the local building supply store for one sheet of gyproc (sheet rock), mouldings, brick mold, door locking hardware, paint, and other necessities to complete the project.

Door works perfectly.

It seems I chose the hottest summer days to work on this project though. Our temperatures hovered between 28 and 33 degrees.  I ingested buckets and buckets of water while sweating away working.  No regrets though!  It's fun to accomplish another of our planned home improvements.

Thanks for dropping by.