Window Wells Using Landscape Timbers

If you've ever priced window wells, you understand why we went with Landscape Timbers.  For the not so pretty metal jobbers, they are priced over $200 each.  If you want anything pre-made that is fancier than that you can expect to pay around $400 each.  We considered our options and decided the most cost-effective with consideration for the installation time, we chose landscape timbers.

For each Window Well, we used approximately 14 timbers @ $2.97/each (now on sale for $1.97/each...I will be going back for my discount).  So being the Mathematicer (play Webkinz..it is a word) that I am, that comes to about $42 per window well.  Add landscape fabric, screws, adhesive, and caulk and the price is still WAY lower than the pre-made metal thingy dings.

Now with that being said, I design...my husband builds.  Here's how he did with a little help from our Husmann friends:



Now, the above may not be the preferred order or you may be thinking I put the pictures out of order. But, no, that is the order things were done. And here is how it ended up:



Isn't it beautiful? The support board will come out once all of the landscaping is done around it.

Here's how the second one started, notice any difference in method?



Yes, he started IN the hole to eliminate having to use the Bobcat to lower it in.

And finally, the third Window Well which I absolutely love!



Look at the built-in "herb" box!!



From the inside:



I felt so loved when I came home to see the added feature of the herb box in this window well. I know I mentioned to him that some people have done that, but I didn't know he was planning to do it. So sweet!

Basement Windows

Yay!  We have all new windows in our basement home!  We went from this:

to this:

to this:

and this:

Thanks to this man:


So, that makes (2) Egress Windows (1 in each of the kid's bedrooms), (1) 4'x4' window for the living room, and (4) sliders in various locations.

Next up: Beautiful Window Wells & Hopefully a Cement Wall Reveal!

The Grand Entrance

We got so much done this weekend, I'm pumped!  There were lots of ups and downs, stress ran high, and adrenaline ran higher.  At the end of each day, we literally crashed and burned.  But we got back up and kept on moving.  Here's the plan:

We are moving the basement entrance over about 2-3 feet to give us room for a bigger bathroom AND a bigger entrance.  The entrance will have 5 Foot French Patio Doors at the bottom with an enclosed entrance with steps, storage, and a 3 Foot Door at the top of the steps.

To get this done, we had to first tear out the existing concrete steps and walls, dig a larger hole, frame up the new walls, and finally pour concrete.  In about 2 weeks time, we got all the way from step 1 to the final step which ended up being partially done.



As the concrete began to pour, our friend noticed concrete seeping under the bottom of the walls.  The concrete stopped, and everyone started running to get the hole patched.  We began pouring cement again and another spot was seeping and finally two of the walls began bowing outward and looked as if cement was going to be flooding our basement at any moment.

About the time this all began to happen, a local man stopped by to check on the project and he quickly began shouting directions about where to brace the walls.  Everyone worked together and we were able to complete the job.  Because of the bowing and spills that happen, we ran short and will have to pour again later this week.

It was a crazy, crazy morning.  I spent a few moments pacing and praying, but mostly I was racing up and down the steps acting as a gopher.  I learned to NEVER again go to the worksite in my good shoes....especially when dealing with cement.  I also learned that worse things have happened and the cement guy was shocked that we were able to fix it before we had a mess on our hands.  I praise the Lord for that!

So, that's half of what we accomplished.  We also got our window wells dug and the windows cut out of the block foundation.  They're already for our window guy to come in and put the windows in.  Thanks to my uncle Jaret who helped cut the holes out. 

Myself, I got in on sledging out the blocks and trying to keep plastic around the areas we were cutting. And TaDa!!! We have a window (actually we have three).

House Renovation Under Way

Sorry for the unplanned blogging Sabbatical.  People have been known to get real resentful when people do that!  I hope my readers are more forgiving then some.

I have found that I get much more done when I do it and don't tell the world about it and I have had A LOT to do with MANY quick decisions to be made in order to save some money on some great sales going on right now.  In reality, I am in organization bliss!!!!  Though my organization has been the "butt of the joke" as of late, I really don't think I would be flying so quickly through this renovation without my binder, labeled folders, and bag-o-necessary-tools (tape measure, calculator, pencils, etc).


I have managed to take a few pictures of the "progress" being made....which really is just a bunch of materials that have been bought in anticipation of being used.



Oh, but how quickly I've forgotten one MAJOR accomplishment.  We got the outside of the house PAINTED!!  Are you dying to see the colors?  I have to say, it turned out great and I reallllllly love the colors.  PHEW, that's a relief!  You just never know until you get a whole side done.  It was touch-and-go for a bit, but when I added the color to the inside of the window frame, I breathed a sigh of relief.









I am OVERWHELMED this week with gratitude for so many aspects of this project. Nothing compares to living in a small town. So many people have already had their hands in this project.

My dad and Uncle Ron saved the day by helping with painting the house. The first day of putting on paint, my babe and I were clueless about where to start and how to get going. Ron came in and gave us direction and speedily painted some of the highest parts and we were so thankful. My dad stuck with us until the project was done.

A friend offered to help put Egress windows in.

A local businessman in town offered to dig our windows and entry-way free-of-charge. Who does that? We are so incredibly blessed.

My mom has helped me make some very fast, critical decorating decisions. Not an easy task!

My uncle Jaret stopped by after being out of town for at least a week and gave us so much input he saved us time, expense, and headache. Overwhelmed with gratitude.

Our new neighbor fed us supper one night while we were working late.

We've had several others who have helped with demolition. Thank you Lord for your provision.



On top it all, I am just so amazed at my husband and how much he is able to do on top of working all day at his desk job.

I'll try not to wait so long between posts next time now that we should be seeing some major progress each week!