This is a photo of the property before the extensive renovations started. There are two houses attached together. The owners worked together and redesigned the entire inside and out. They chose a black metal siding and the contrast is simply magnificent. It stirred up much interest in the neighborhood and it is easy to see why.
This siding is more expensive than vinyl but besides being extraordinarily beautiful, it is amazingly durable, low, if any maintenance and will last around 50 years.
After the builders have constructed the walls, Harris comes in and places the insulation around the house. After that, he places wooden strips, called strapping to ensure that the siding has a solid base in which to be nailed into. The insulation is essential to protect from Canadian winters and summers.
The left hand side are pieces of this heavy black metal siding of 28ft each. Each one must be placed exactly straight, hooking into the previous piece. If one piece is even 1/8th off, it affects the entire wall and must be redone. Each nail counts.
An additional challenge here is that the wall faces a side road that the neighbors need to get to their back entrance. This means that we cannot use scaffholding nor a zoom boom to reach the high area. Ladders are moved into position and removed for traffic.
When a ladder is too high and a stool too low, one must make a ladder that is just right. Right?
No room for error. The pieces below and above the window must match exactly other wise it will affect the entire wall and must be redone.
Harris is tied to the roof as a safety precaution because a gust of wind could prove deadly. Here he is securing fascia after a piece tried to blow loose.
One error unseen or forgotten can have consequence. It is essential to know where each nail is and just the right amount of pressure holding material.
A zoom boom comes in handy when working on very high areas. Of course electrical wiring can put some unwanted fire in your belly. We were limited to using it on the front high area due to lack of space around the house. What an amazing tool though!
See the left hand side wall? The space here is only enough for a person to walk through, but must still be clothed in the same siding as the rest of the house. 28ft sheets.
Impossible to work with a ladder or zoom boom in these tiny areas.
Harris found a way of course. Safety first always, he is no stranger to taking calculated risks. He ensures that the ladders as well as his own safety equipment is secured. Here he secured his ladders on the neighboring rooftop and navigated his way from there.
And yes, awesome neighbor did give permission!
This project was difficult - space for equipment was a very real challenge, delays in delivery of materials due to restrictions and the weather did manage to get pretty icy cold toward the end.
So grateful for good working relationship with builders, suppliers, kind neighbors and of course fabulous clients.
Every detail must be seen to. Every corner must be sealed. Every fascia carefully placed and nailed perfectly so not to become wavy.
And finally, the hard work is paying off. Both homes are ready to be connected with outside lighting, camera's, and remaining bells and whistles. What a journey to have undertaken and successfully completed, two days before Christmas 2020. Worth every drop of sweat, blood and frozen tears.
Fear cannot be a factor when facing heights.
