| Design-build addition to residence, Ithaca, NY
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Weeks 29-32: December 20, 2004 - January 16, 2005 |
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John from Pleasant Valley Electric completes the electrical work. The existing panel box (left) is extended with a new box (right) for the new electric power in the addition. |
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Outlets and lighting fixtures are installed: a plastic (imitation porcelain) fixture is put in place in the studio (left); Rab cast aluminum fixtures are used for the stairs (right). |
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We install approximately 600 square feet of porcelain tile in the studio and mezzanine spaces. The process has three distinct parts: installing cement board ("Wonderboard") underlayment, placing the tile, and grouting. In these images, thin-set mortar is mixed with an acrylic additive using a 1/2" drill with a special "paddle" attachment. |
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The cement board panels are adhered with thin-set mortar and then screwed into the plywood subfloor (left); when the entire floor is covered (right), the tile can be placed. |
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The tile is set using a 3/8" x 1/4" notched trowel. |
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Guidelines are drawn on the Wonderboard undelayment to keep the lines straight (left); plastic 1/8" spacers are inserted between tiles to keep the joint width consistent (right). |
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 After I use a rubber float to place the grout within the tile joints, Susan cleans the surface with a moderately dry sponge. After two hours, the tile is then rubbed down with a dry cloth to remove any remaining haze. |
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Two views from the mezzanine show the finished tile. |
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 Nothing new on the exterior: when the snow melts and the weather improves, we'll finish the siding. |
