The South wall spent most of the first years looking like this:
There were four openings on the first floor (covered with oversized salvaged storm windows), but they were not where we wanted them, and there were no openings on the second floor.
This is the layout I wanted: two 3-bay windows, one 2-bay window plus a door and another window.
To get the door and window layout we wanted, substantial work was needed. First we’d have to re-frame most of the two story wall from the inside to create the window openings, then we’d need to make the two- and three-wide window assemblies and install them. Making a 9 or 10 foot clear opening was more radical re-framing than I wanted to take on, so I elected to keep the existing stud pattern.
My method was to brace up the joists around the area to be worked on, then cut the nails between the studs and the sheathing and tear out the studs. This would leave several stud bays open, in which I could build new framing. Then the sheathing could be altered. I started with the door.
I found just the right door at the Habitat ReStore, built a case for it and got it in place
For the first time, we could walk out on our deck through a real door and sit and enjoy the sunshine.
With the door in place, next up was the 3-bay window. The existing two openings were replaced by 3 openings in a 9-foot span.
Here, the leftmost window is framed in, five joists are braced while the other two window bays are framed
With the framing complete, the bracing is removed
The sheathing is cut back
The wall is ready for a window unit
On the second floor, the procedure was the same. Here’s the interior as we found it, with no provision for any windows anywhere. What were they thinking?
Framing in place
Window openings completed
Windows
I had a specific idea of how I wanted the multi-bay windows to look: one unit, not several windows next to each other. The trim and the sill should serve to bring them together. So I built them as one case, built to slide in around the studs.
Here’s a 2-bay unit: left, showing the opening in the center for the studs; right, with trim in place ready for installation.
A 3-bay unit on the floor
Patrick and Chris ready to lift a 3-bay unit into place.
To deflect sun and rain, I added hoods over the windows and door.
By August, the re-framing was complete and the windows and door installed. Also, Judy had finished the decorative railings.
The last job of the season, and the last bit of framing on the wall, was to get up in the attic and repair a structural defect