Bob points out that Victorian cottages had camp-style exposed framing in the old days and Ryley is attempting to recreate this look with modern attributes. They are using straight grain fir for the framing as it is a higher grade than most framing materials and will hold paint better. Next step is bead board sheeting to look like Victorian paneling. On the outside where in Victorian days builders would have attached the shingles Bob is installing rigid insulation. He puts on two layers perpendicular to cover the seams. Then Ryley and Bob nail a layer of plywood sheathing to the outside.

Bob looks over the plans for the project with GC Charlie Tomaszewski. The carriage house (once the dairy building) and the main house will be joined by a breezeway. The side porch of the house will be expanded into the kitchen space. The porch addition will incorporate two of the existing porch posts into the interior of the space. Creating one big kitchen and family space will require the removal of a lot of the existing structural walls.

Walking behind the house, Bob makes a few observations about the design. He points out that the house and old barn were not exactly parallel to each other creating some issues fo the breezeway addition. Th architect chose to build the breezeway parallel with the barn, but as the roof is right onto the house, when you look at the roof overhang right on the corner of the addition it subtly increases in width in one direction. Another interesting feature of the architect's design is a 4 ft. wide and t10 ft. long "gang plank"-like balcony coming out from the second floor masterbath.

Bob Fulmer from Harraseeket Restoration, Inc. joins Bob on the roof of the breezeway to install a double-lock standing seam copper roof. Before installing the copper, a plywood deck is applied, followed by a layer of bituthene for moisture resistance and then a resin paper slip sheet. The resin paper helps absorb the condensation generated on the back side of the copper panels by temperature changes. Additionally it insulates the copper from touching asphalt-based underlayment or bituthene on which standing water creates a diluted form of sulphuric acid which will degrade the copper. The copper panels are brake-formed at the shop and brought on site ready to install. The panels are joined in a double-lock standing seam in a two-step process. First the male edge is locked over the top of the female seam. Then a second seamer completes the second lock producing a one inch high profile double-locked at the top which is rolled over into the finished standing seam using hand crimpers.. This 16-oz. standing seam copper roof should have a 75 year life expectancy. Proper application is critical. Lack of provisions for thermal expansion such as permanently attaching the copper to the roof will create stress in the panel and eventually cause material failure. Also fasteners should be from the copper family or electrolysis will set up.

To frame the exterior views from the dining area in the Quechee Lakes farmhouse, two banks of four double-hung window meet at the room's corner. Bob Ryley, Home Again's resident carpenter, has these…

…manufacturing process of the stove Bob will be installing in the great room. Back at the Martha's Vineyard site, our contractor Ryley frames a Victorian-style breezeway using bead board and rigid insulation for the open-cabin look.

Bob installs some interesting finishing touches in the coach house kitchen, including some galvanized steel features. We go outside to plant a tree and landscape the little garden outside our entryway, and Bob checks out the painting of the brick facade.