~ Home is where your story begins ~ A video of one of the many stories
Twas a big undertaking the exterior siding, but with many helping hands and a lot of sweat and splinters later, both sides are covered in beautiful locally harvested larks. And with two layers of oil and a frame around the corners, the final result is lookin pretty good! Some impressions and lessons learnt below..
For those interested, some lessons learnt during the process:
- Start by defining a base line on the wall from where the wood should run. You can add a (temporary) plank vertically, to measure from and line the wood up against.
- Measure the length of the next plank over the top of the one below.
- Working with natural planks, you don't have a single straight line to work with. I didn't mind it nog being super straight, but did try to apply some basic tricks for consistency. First, to make one end 90 degrees, use a 90 degree tool and place a long leveler (>80cms) along your 90 degree tool along the length of the lines of the plank and guesstimate when you're at a 90 degree angle. Second, take two measurements of the full length of wood from your initial 90 degree side. Third, when placing it on the wall, only look at the lower line of the plank and measure the visible width of the plank below is equal left and right. Placing a long leveler underneath the lower line in two or three places along the length of wood, you can double check you're leveled out horizontally.
- Aim for at least 2cm overlap. Again, with not having a single straight line, you will end up with more overlap if you're not intending for the wood to end up fanning to one side (which is what I did try in the top half for a playful look). If you're sticking to straight lines, keep the extra overlap in mind for ordering some extra M2's.
- For powertools, I used a hand circle saw to cut the lengths and a jigsaw for the finer cuts around the windows and ledges.
- Using the right screws with a drill head (like these), screw them in the LOWEST possible part of the plank, ensuring you're staying just above the plank below.
- Although working with at least two others is preferred, it's possible to do the shorter pieces of wood alone. Use a heavy wood clamp and attach it to the end of plank below, then leaning the plank on it whilst holding and screwing the first screw on the opposite side. That way you can still lift and rotate the plank up on the side where it's leaning on the wood clamp.
- Rain could end up getting between two lengths of wood. Cut small pieces of plastic (leftovers from another project ofcourse ;) in the length of the width of the wood, approximately 5-10cm wide and tape them on the back of both ends, preventing the rain from harming the wood of your ventilation.
- Definitely use decent scaffoldings if you are working above 3 meters.
- Along with some nice music, and timely breaks with drinks and goodies (I know, there's room for improvement for me here), give everyone on the team: an 8m tape measure, a carpenters pencil, gloves, ear protection, and as many hugs as possible!
- ~ GOOD LUCK ~
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