The sun came out this week so we decided to launch our patio project! Privacy and functionality were the objectives. Not killing ourselves off while doing it wasn't a priority as it turned out!
Day 1: We started with 6- 10' posts. We dug and dug, cut out a 4" maple tree root, bailed out the water from the overnight shower, dug out the mud and hauled in gravel. Here in the land of expanding clay soil, concreting in posts just guarantees that they will pop out of the ground, concrete and all at some later date. So tamping in gravel works much better. Lots of tamping, leveling and more tamping.
Day 2,3 & 4: We installed the 2"x4" stringers between the posts top and bottom, securing them with our own custom made metal hanger brackets. We had planned on a solid fence at the north end with a built in BBQ table for our table top Weber. The upper shelf was an added bonus. We used some 2"x8"x8' planed cedar planks that cost us $17.50 each for the top of the table and the shelf. We cut lots and lots of firring strips from 1"x8" fence boards so we could mount the lattice (the 40 year old Sears table saw helped us again!). We screwed them to the posts and stringers the lighter color wood).
Day 5: Rain and a Saab engine job predicted for tomorrow so we wanted to finish this up today! The lattice...custom cut to fit (heavy duty stuff from Canada). Jack drilled and screwed the panels into the firring strips.
And finally it was time for the trellis on the top. We angled the 2'x4' supports topped by 2"x2" boards. Wouldn't you know we were short 2 sticks of 2x2's. So another trip to the lumber yard next week to finish it off.
Considering all the lumber required and a couple of design changes along the way, we did very well on the estimating and planning. We also used about 300 screws. Now we have an outdoor room and some privacy from neighbors. Total cost for this project was about $450. Total satisfaction...priceless!
"Iron Lung" time tonite as my head carpenter put it! Oye!
