Remember when I said “Before anything can be done, something else must first be done (applies recursively)”? Here’s another case.
Today I was thinking about siding. Shown here, some lovely knotty cedar T&G V-groove, a sample I bought at a local lumber yard a few days ago.
Before I start installing the siding, I have to know about everything that penetrates the walls. The regular windows are all set – they are where they are – easy. The light ports I prototyped last weekend. The wood stove flue transit is understood. What else do I need to know? How the water heater and baseline air heater are vented and how they get their fresh air so I can understand their through-the-wall needs as well.
Which means it’s time to go shopping.
Well, not buying, but shopping. I’ll probably go buying very soon, actually, but first I need to understand what my options are for the two heating tasks, which suit my needs with respect to capacity, and then research their installation instructions/requirements so I can answer the question “what accommodation do I need to make for the heaters with regards to through-wall penetrations?”. All of *THAT* so I can plan my siding job. Remember the siding job? That’s what I want to do next.
What must be done before the siding?
– Windows (done)
– Light ports framed (not done yet, but the design is ready).
… which I can’t frame until I at least map out the cozy loft stairs against the wall so I can visualize the port placement in context. That’s easy to do, actually, but it still goes under the heading of “must first be done”.
– Vent and fresh air requirements of heaing devices.
– Any other utility access issues (such as electric hookup, water hookup (this will be a special arrangement of my own design which allows for above-ground freeze protection). All of these I can actually group into one simple access area, which I have to size, which requires some further thought.
All I want to do is install the siding.
But first some other things must be done.
Oh – and that includes figuring out how I’m going to finish the siding, whether pre-installation activity is required, and if so of what sort.
Did I mention that before anything can be done, something else must first be done? It’s true.
It may look like I’ve spent all evening at my desk, keeping an eye on my 3D printer doing its thing, but actually, I’ve been doing a lot of this recursive research. You know, so I can start my siding job.