Here are the results of a couple of apps that allow you to generate maps of where you have visited or lived in this big world. Plus a few videos I took while traveling. Create Your Own Visited Countries Map A map of the countries I have visited (20)
Create Your Own Visited States Map
I have visited 4 states in India Create your own visited map of The World or Triposo world travel guide for Android
Four months have passed since we had our deck enclosed making it into a sun-room, and since then we have had warm weather to cold weather. Warm weather you can be in the room with little problems and typically a nice breeze flows through the room. Next year we will consider a fan if the temperatures get too hot. The evening is great to sit and relax as well as enjoy dinner on occasion. As the weather gets colder the current trend is that the room tends to be about 10 degrees warmer than the outside temperature and gets a bit chilly in the evening. We have used the electric fireplace several times and it heats the room up very quickly as long as we close the door leading into the house. We have a second smaller heater that we have used a couple of times that has worked out well. Currently the temperature outside is 45, the enclose room is 55 and the house is 69. The windows and door from the house to the room are open.
We opted for the Hybrid Room with thermopane or double paned windows. This was a good decision. There is some condensation on the vertical aluminum support beams. The ceiling, walls and windows do not have any condensation, thus it is limited to a very small area in the room. The beams that are sweating would have had a thermal break if we had gotten a 4 season room. The carpet feels cold when walking on it so tile or some other product would have been worse. Carpet was the right decision.
We moved 3 chairs from other rooms in the house into the sun-room until next spring when we decide on what patio furniture we like. We started staining of the outside wood going from red/orange to white but weather and rain prevented us from completing it this year. A job for the spring. We also managed to do a quick cleanup of the yard and flowerbeds until we figure out what we want to do long term.
Overall the new sun-room is a great place to be in the summer, and it is also nice to be in the room surrounded by windows as the weather starts to turn. The TV and iPad in the sun-room makes it a great place to watch your favorite shows, check your email, and feel more like you are outside. Now I am waiting for the snow!
It has been just over 3 weeks since our deck construction completed and now is a good time to update everyone on our first impressions, what we like, don't like, and what is coming up next.
Impressions
Although we added the additional footage to the deck it still isn't enough! I say this half jokingly, but it is a good idea to really think about the size of the enclosure and what you want to do with it. Our house is 2,100 square feet and with the enclosure we have added another 180 square feet. That sounds like a lot but when you take into account the two doors and their location that starts to dictate what you can do.
American Patio Rooms lived up to their claims and once the work started they continued until they were finished, even the electrician showed up in time to hook everything up. I have heard complaints about other builders that finished their work, but the electrician didn't show up for a few weeks to hook up the power.
Speaking to the crew that worked on my deck everyone had at least 10 years of experience and a few had over 20. All of the experience with American Patio Rooms.
What We Like
Just having the house back door and windows open and being able to freely walk onto the deck is great. No flies and bugs coming into the house is a big plus.
Another interesting point is we have a lower deck and it is now 50% covered by the upper deck. I can leave the door going onto the lower deck open when it rains. What is even nicer is now that the upper deck is enclosed and the bottom enclosed it gives a nice looking roof over the lower deck.
What We Don't Like
The sound of a hard rain is much louder than we thought it would be. If you where watching TV or listening to music you would have to turn up the volume. I assume shingles on the roof would reduce the sound. We might have considered that option when building, but perhaps not (more money). The rain can also be heard from inside the house when the doors and windows are closed to the deck. However, it really isn't that bad in the house, only when you are on the deck.
What We Have Done
We decided to buy carpet instead of tile. It was a hard decision to make, but we decided to take the advice of the consultant and go with carpet. On the plus side it will be easier on the feet and warmer in the winter. The big plus is the money saved pays for the fireplace.
The outside vinyl siding that was on the house is now inside the enclosed deck. Although I have always power washed the siding it took three separate washings after construction to get it looking pretty good. It still has 14 years of aging, but over all it isn't bad. Just a lot of elbow grease and 3 different cleaners!
Power Washed the lower deck to clean it up after the construction
We replaced the old outdoor light with an indoor sconce (40 watts does a nice job)
We bought a lamp with all the colors we were looking for and made of natural materials
We bought screen saver flowers to put onto the sliding door screen
We have a mirror to put up that will conveniently hide some of the water stains that wouldn't come off the siding. They are faint but still noticeable
What's Next
Carpet will be installed in 8 days
Buy the electric fireplace (currently we have a deposit on it)
Purchase solid white stain for the deck stairs and support posts, and look for a few days when their isn't any rain in the forecast.
Stay Tuned
We will keep you posted on our experience with building and decorating our enclosed upper deck, now the Sun Room. Watch for more blog posts. If you want to read all of our posts on enclosing our deck click here.
The all new 1955 Chevy Nomad Belair for 1955!
This is the best 1955 Chevy Nomad Belair that I have seen locally. I have been to a lot of shows and seen nice cars but this one is great. Not your typical Friday night car show Nomad.
The Chevrolet Nomad is best remembered for it's two door model from 1955–57.
1955 Chevrolet's received all-new styling and also gained a V8 engine option.
See more of my pictures of the 1955 Nomad and other cars at this link Friday Night Dairy Queen Car Show.
"Building An Enclosed Deck - Final Day of Construction" is the followup to yesterdays post post on Day 5 of construction. In summary the work started on Monday June 30 and except for a couple of pieces of siding ended on Wednesday July 9th. There was no work done on July 4th and on Monday July 7th. The delay was Independence Day and also waiting on windows to arrive on Tuesday. First thing today was to start working on the sliding door installation. Framing and then install. Just like installing the windows it is a bit of a job. Making sure it fits and functions smoothly always takes extra effort. Along with the door install came more silicone sealing. Never too much as long as it stops a single drop of water!
Day 6 Photo Slide Show
The final day of construction begins
The sliding door is delivered
Beginning the sliding door install
Installing the door
Installing the sliding door
Installing the door
Changing the handrail
Adding the spindles
Replacing the rotted wood
Enclosing the insulation
The rotted would has been removed
Last bit of sealing on the bottom of the deck
Putting the insulation up
New wood in place
Nearing the end of the job!
Adding the trim
The finishing touches
Almost done
Construction Complete, next comes the cleaning!
Construction Complete
The new enclosure from the side
If you cannot see the slide show follow the link to see the gallery: Day-6-Enclosing-Our-Deck
Summary of what was accomplished today:
Tomorrow one person will stop and put up the couple pieces of siding and some sealer and we are done.
What's next for outside?
Check out the follow-up to this post by clicking here.
This post "Enclosing The Deck Day 5 of Construction" is all about the work done on the fifth work day of enclosing our upper deck. Day 4 of construction was mainly focused on getting the roof sealed, trim and end caps put into place, and the insulation under the deck put into place. The fifth day started about 9:30am on July 8th with the crew getting the deck ready for the windows. Then another crew arrived with the windows and installation began. There is a lot of work related to getting the windows into place and making sure everything is working. Once again all the guys knew their jobs and worked well together. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of selecting a company that retains its employees by treating them properly. The experience of each individual working on my deck ranged from 10 to 24 years with all that time working for American Patio Rooms.
Below in the picture gallery you will see a few pictures of the work being done on our deck. Keep in mind that in 5 days of work the deck is almost done and was completely built on site. Other than windows and doors the entire deck was custom built and fit to the house during the build. Nothing was prefabricated and forced to fit into place after construction. Do your home work and appreciate the quality that is possible when enclosing your patio or deck.
Day 5 Photo Slide Show
Day 5 Enclosing The Upper Deck and three crews on site
One last piece to go on the main soffit
Sealing everything against the elements
Clearing up after the rain
Putting in the remaining Soffit
Electrical coming in from the deck and yellow wire to the fuse box
Under the deck is as nice as being in the deck. Great finish work by the team.
Cutting the soffit to size
Putting in the screen
Day 5 Enclosing The Upper Deck and three crews on site
Working on the windows
A lot of work to do
Inside the deck
Finished Corner sealed to keep the bad weather out
Adding flashing
Nearing the end of day 5 work
If you cannot see the slide show follow the link to see the gallery: Day-5-Enclosing-Our-Deck
Today’s summary of work is as follow:
It rained pretty hard today for a while but the crew stayed onsite and worked inside the deck until it cleared up, then work started up again in full swing. I am looking forward to tomorrow and the last day of work. Installing the slide glass door and completing the final touches. My last construction post will be tomorrow, but I am sure I will have a few more pictures to share as we finish the interior decorating.
I sincerely hope you find good use from my articles and you are inspired to enclose your deck or patio, and I hope you take a few pictures to share with others.