Cajun Siding

Have you ever had blackened catfish?  Its good - blackened siding is too.

Typical of Bramel's approach to innovation and anything but production methods, the siding at ground level is cedar that has been charred with a torch.  Excess char will be wire brushed or power washed off which leaves a raised grain and hardened surface that will be extremely durable.

The shiplap boards are torched before being fastening on the wall, as doing it in place would be just asking for trouble - the objective is blacked, not flambé.  The guys were joking about bringing hot dogs for lunch tomorrow though.

Casting the Footings

The long hydraulic boom of the concrete pump allows it to reach well into the excavation and deliver very controlled amounts in the right locations.  The operator stands close to the work with a wireless controller so that he can maneuver the pipe and pump the right amounts of concrete.  Its a brilliant piece of equipment and more than worth the rental fee.

The carpenters watch the forms for blow outs and screed the concrete level, then place the reinforcing bars.

Its sort of like a performance - it's all in the preparation.  A full week with 5 men to construct the forms and then the actual concrete placement happens in just a couple of hours.

Pumping Concrete

While the thaw has delayed opening of the canal skateway and kept me off the ski trails, it was a real break for forming and pouring the footings at Stirling Avenue.   It took four truck loads of concrete but with the help of a concrete pump the footings were cast, complete with rebar and tarped over by noon on Friday.

The pumper is a large truck with mechanical arm and hose that has a long reach.  It would have taken several men all day and probably several spilled loads to wheelbarrow the concrete down a ramp and into the forms.  A great way to finish the week.

Next stage will be forming the foundation walls.