Yep, we’re still working on the garage and no, there’s still not a slate in sight…
Needless to say, we had hoped to be much further along in our roof replacement efforts, but everything is taking so much longer than expected. We had hoped to already have the roof covered by now and it’s certainly not for a lack of trying, but we have at least managed to complete part of the woodwork and even managed to get a bit of painting done, too!
This is what the garage looked like last weekend.
It was watertight (well, more or less), but that was about it. After a few more hours of work it looked like this.
And after a bit more work, it now looks like this.
Okay, so it’s still nowhere near complete, but having a shiny new fascia already makes such a huge difference.
Just to give you an idea of what we mean when we say everything is taking a long time… it took us a full day to attach the two fascia boards at the front of the garage and one at the back and do a bit of painting.
Although we measured everything exactly (and more than once) before cutting the boards, the angles we cut still didn’t line up so fitting them involved a lot of trimming and adjusting before we could attach them.
The next step on the list (which we had hoped to do at the same time as attaching the fascia) is to add the battens.
We have already done the calculations and had the battens delivered (you can see them lying against the side of the garage) so hopefully this will be one part of the roofing job that’s straight forward. Then it’s just a matter of attaching the slate…
All in all it is slowly starting to take shape and for the first time in since living here the front of the garage actually has a fascia on both sides!
I really can’t wait to get this project finished now – it can’t take that much longer, can it?
We obviously need to replace the driveway, too. Do you have any suggestions? Have you ever tackled a job that’s ended taking up much longer than expected? Have you ever decided to DIY something that you wish you’d paid to have done?
PS. Don’t forget, there’s still time to vote for for us in the Amara’s Interior Blog Awards 2014! Thank you so much to everyone who’s already voted!
KarenAnita says
I think a slate driveway would look fab next to it too! Although I hear these don’t come cheap.
And you’re right it really does make a difference! Definitely best to do something like this in stages or you’d burn yourself out on it. And don’t worry, you’re not the only ones who can’t measure haha We measure stuff multiple times and it’s NEVER right. The tape measure lies I swear!
Karen x
Christine says
Ohh, a slate driveway sounds lovely! Probably way out of budget though… maybe we could have a slate patio though! I wonder if we both have the same dodgy tape measure! Surely it can’t be us making the mistakes!?
Cx
Kerrie says
Its frustrating but its always the way with some projects – my problem is usually my fault, because I’e over thought it to death :)
I vote for Lilydale toppings for the driveway. Everything else I found was more expensive and I think the look of the toppings would look great in your garden. You do still have to weed occasionally, but I’ve found that with the levelling and tamping down of the toppings (not to mention weed mat), it is very low maintenance.
LinsDCB says
Oh I’m so glad it’s not just me that feels like home projects take forever!! I feel like there is so little time these days I haven’t even written a blog post for a month :( Little steps seem to work best for me, instead of “the kitchen needs repainting” it’s “I have an hour tonight to do this wall”. Your garage will look lovely, just like everything else you’ve tackled!
Christine says
Like you & keep us focused, we have broken down the garage roof project into smaller stages, but I’m still glad to hear that I’m not the only one who things things take a long time! At least it keeps us busy!
Cx
Louise says
It is starting to come along! Lets hope for some more of this weather and you will be done before winter! I would suggest gravel, seriously just geotextiel on the tarmac and shovel it out… Some lavender edging and it would be so cute! Scraping the entire door? Wow, but i guess it needs a better primer to stop the flaking? Also black on metal in full sun is difficult. Are you going to paint it black again? Otherwise I would recommend somthing lighter that does not get so hot, like Ball green or Lichen. Have fun on the roof!
lazy way =) http://www.jogarsrud.se/2009%20kvart2/sidor/tak.htm
Christine says
Yep, we’re keeping our fingers crossed with the weather, too, Louise!
I like the idea of gravel, but no matter what we choose we will have to remove some of the horrible tarmac as it’s currently too high – it’s already higher than the floor in the garage!
You’re probably right about the garage door, but we already have some black paint (which we’ve had since last summer!). We’ve been stripping the paint that’s on it at the moment with some paint stripper (but have run out). It actually comes of really easily, we just need to finish the job! ;)
Cx