A few people have asked about various materials used on our recent exterior project so we put together a synopsis of the main elements and how they were treated or finished. This project was a lot of work and we don’t want to think about maintenance anytime soon, so we paid careful attention to selecting and applying the best finishes/sealers/primers/paints to protect against excess moisture and UV exposure.
A few other measures to ensure that chezerbey looks good in the years to come:
- we chose hearty materials that have a long life span – cedar, ipe, metal clad windows, etc.
- we kept most of the original 1910 cedar siding, removed all the old paint and then sanded it smooth, set the old (non-galvanized) nail heads and filled them with rust stopper, and then spackled and sanded the holes. Next, we caulked all vertical joints, corners and seams and applied a pre-tinted penetrating primer before the final coat of high quality exterior paint.
- we replaced the old shingles at the base with new cedar shingles (after installing new building paper), then applied a tinted stain that provides UV protection. We also used stainless steel fasteners to avoid the streaking that can result from galvanized fasteners and cedar tannins.
- we treated the fir front door, but it is also protected by the deep overhang of the porch roof.
- we followed thorough waterproofing and flashing techniques when installing new windows and doors and sealed every nook and cranny with spray foam insulation.
- we installed kick out flashing where the porch roof eave hits the wall of the house. This directs water toward the gutter and not down the face of the house.
- we used ipe or pressure treated wood in all areas that have direct contact with concrete or dirt.
- we used a lifetime warranty urethane caulk in all areas that needed further sealing but that are susceptible to expansion and contraction.
- we installed ridge and soffit vents in the porch roof to allow the roof to breath and mitigate potential mold/mildew issues. [We did the same thing for the main roof, which was completed 3 years ago.]
Next up, “revisiting the exterior: design”!
Lauren Zerbey is a Seattle-based architect and principal at Studio Zerbey, specializing in custom homes and residential remodels. With over 20 years of experience in the Pacific Northwest, she writes about the relationship between thoughtful design, creative problem solving, and the livability of the homes we love.
Absolutely gorgeous!