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Garage Build in the Swiss Alps

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GeorgeK

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We all know the feeling when we work a whole day and there is nothing to show for it.
Today was like that. 2nd and 3rd layer of white paint on the walls, and started the 2nd (and last) layer on the ceiling, when we ran out of paint…

I also started the wall decoration, which is an idea I had when I saw the form lines. It will get clearer with time. I got to break out my last toy, a laser level.

Went through 60 liters of white paint, 150sq.m. of covering paper, 5 rolls of paper tape so far.
 

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GeorgeK

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I am very happy for this, although it doesn't show much for the effort, but the white paint is done. In the tunnel as well. We have also finished the canvas for the colors.
Tomorrow, colors.
 

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GeorgeK

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NOW I have something to show for the last 6 days' effort. It makes the place much more interesting visually. Bonus points for those who find the inspiration.

Next step, starting tomorrow morning, cleaning up and hanging the door and its frame on the garage end of the tunnel.
 

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GeorgeK

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Didn't take long. Nils, you're correct!
I felt the need to break up the expanse, with something original. So far the 5-10 people who saw it approved.
 
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FANTM58

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That is an elegant faucet. :) The ones we have in the US are crude by comparison. The stainless steel piping is very nice as well - here it would be copper or PVC.

attachment.php

It looks like pro,press fittings. Like viega !
I love that stuff.
 
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GeorgeK

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Today's work leaves me…. puzzled, hesitant, undecided.
We have attacked the vintage door and frame. Nothing was square in it, and the (nearly 100 years old) wood is quite hard. We managed to square it correctly (so we thought) and to hang is on a very straight and square frame (built with laser levels all over).
Now I am not a woodworker by any stretch, although I love working wood.

We figured we'd attach the frame on the frame with clamps, as straight as can be and start from there. 2 strong clamps, and we tried it. Worked perfectly. closes with one finger, doesn't swing open or slam shut on its own, stays where you stop it, Great, no?

But, it is NOT straight. There is about 1/8" lean to the whole frame to the right when viewed from the garage. And there is a slight twist to it, which we can correct by framing the bottom correctly (we tried with clamps, works a treat). So we thought about it for a while, discussed many possible modifications, and reached the conclusion that it is better letting sleeping giants alone.

The style had me thinking for a while, but I realised it is exactly from the period when Mondrian painted this type of work, so I will soldier on, strip and paint it correctly, and it should be OK. I have some ideas for the glass still, but it'll wait some more.
 

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wout

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Think it looks very good as is. Maybe you can 'kit' the sides where the wood mets the concrete, so when all painted you'll not notice it anymore there was a (small) gap.

The Mondrian theme is very cool and original!

gr
Wout
 
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GeorgeK

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Back at it.
The wooden door goes forward, despite dumba** me dropping it. Luckily very little damage and incrdibly no broken window. It needs another layer of white and I'll call it good.

We have started treating the concrete floor. The product we use is called Sikafloor Proseal 22. It is an acrylic based impregnation as opposed to a 2 part epoxy paint. This stuff goes into thew concrete and leaves a surface that seems midway between painted and waxed, and clearly is *in* the concrete. I have anough for 2 layers and some left, which is a good result. Stuff smells quite strong, luckily the garage is wide open, since the door installers have not shown up yet…

We also started up on the fence on top, with wires tightened where possible.

So it is going forward, with the 2 largest items (wall paint and floor treatment) almost finished.
 

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JDMjunkies.ch

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Floor looks good. How is the surface when dry? like a varnish? i'm wondering because i want to know if it will be slippery when you walk in with wet (snowy) shoes...
 
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GeorgeK

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Nils, I'll tell you this winter… :)

Seriously, it seems slicker but based on what is dry, the relative irregularities of the original surface are still there, meaning it shoud't be a skating rink.
Plus, some dust inevitably gets stuck in it before drying, which bring a little roughness to the surface.
 
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GeorgeK

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The masons turned up yesterday (finally), and started on forming the small retaining wall for the grass on top of the garage. Concrete pour should be tonight.

The window guys showed up as well and are fitting the glass as I write this.

The Rainwater drain seems clogged :lol_hitti

The floor treatment is completely dry, we'll see how it fares with workers on it for now and cars later.
 

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red

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The masons turned up yesterday (finally), and started on forming the small retaining wall for the grass on top of the garage. Concrete pour should be tonight.

The window guys showed up as well and are fitting the glass as I write this.

The Rainwater drain seems clogged :lol_hitti

The floor treatment is completely dry, we'll see how it fares with workers on it for now and cars later.

Wow, those windows look fantastic!

As to the rainwater drain, it's not surprising no matter how careful you plan or work, something always gives you a problem.

Thanks for sharing!
 
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GeorgeK

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Another week (an a half), so update time:

Masons built the small retaining wall, turned out very nice. We are waiting for the roofers to put tarpaper and edging so it can be finished with soil and grass. The grass seeds have been sown higher up the slope and have started to grow. we had issues with several garden hoses giving up the ghost (who knew they develop micro-holes by the score when they get old enough?) but it is getting progressively green, which is good because it stabilises the soil and reduces dust blown around by the wind.

The outside stairs leading to the main door have also been rebuilt, along with the main entrance pavings

The access ramp has been built with crushed stone, awaits asphalt.

The connection to the rain and sewer water has been made. This brough its share of drama: the rain water line was chock full. Turned out, another contractor, while building sewer lines below us crushed the rain water pipes and tried to hide it… Feces have impacted the fan, but luckily, it is between said contractor and the local authrities.

The garage door…. Those weasels promised 3-4 weeks delivery to get the job. Door should be installed this week… 12 weeks after ordering.

Remains the tunnel wall into the house to cut and door to install and a host of smaller things to do. As they say, 95% done 95% to go. But i got to park the car in for the first time. :)
 

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GeorgeK

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Garage door!
The door people fitted the door these last 2 days. I got an extra remote out of them, since they were not too proud of the obscene delay.
Looks good. I am happy.

Now to open the wall in the tunnel into the house basement.
 

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JDMjunkies.ch

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Wohoow, finally :) May i ask what brand of door you chose and why this brand? Still have to choose one and i aint sure about which one is reasonable and good quality ;)
 
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GeorgeK

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Hi Nils,
Hörmann is the brand, german made. I have not yet seen a Hörmann door I did not like. You'll like them. Some can be programmed to part opening (like 2m on a 3m high door), have soft closure, delayed interior lights, etc...

I tend to stay away from italian and french doors. Not because of the quality, but the after sales with the factory can be…. sketchy.
 

wasfast

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I'm scratching my head trying to figure out how the man-door works in the middle of the folding door. It seems if you opened it the sections would just fold over. I'm sure it doesn't and makes a great space savings, just curious.
 

JDMjunkies.ch

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Hi Nils,
Hörmann is the brand, german made. I have not yet seen a Hörmann door I did not like. You'll like them. Some can be programmed to part opening (like 2m on a 3m high door), have soft closure, delayed interior lights, etc...

I tend to stay away from italian and french doors. Not because of the quality, but the after sales with the factory can be…. sketchy.

Thanks for the Input. :beer: So far Hörmann is high on my list here too.
 
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GeorgeK

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More work from me - I can only work weekends because of work.


With my son (11) we finished the fencing on top. There are rules (welcome to Switzerland) pertaining to height, post spacing, type of mesh, etc... Took us two almost a full day, after all the posts were in. Since the mesh went outside of the posts, I had no other choice than to attach it at one end, then roll it out completely at the bottom of the garage and pull it up, meter by meter. Good workout. Then a few hours to attach it to the tensioning wires. Will pass inspection without a Hitch.

This morning we painted the wall bottom stripe. That part we couldn't paint with the wall paint roll. So I spent an hour taping it off, 2" from the floor and on the floor's edge, then we took 1 hour to paint it. Cleans it up and makes the walls look finished.

Waiting on the wall cutting people to finally be able to get in the garage from the house.
 

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GeorgeK

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Almost a month has passed, but things have progressed. Not as quickly as I'd have wished, but any work is work.
Outside, the roofers have finished the copper plates and tar along the additional small wall to hold the dirt on the roof. Took them 3 weeks to get off their...brains and come do it.
I have taken on myself to not wait for the main crew and smoothed the soil on top of the garage to allow for seeding the grass. Not entirely finished since they left 2 heaps of cr#p, which should be removed when they pour the drive.
The grass is growing nicely, under frequent watering (a 3 month drought is ending as I write this, has rained all day). It will survive the winter, and the snow pack and water should compact the ground. Some smaller bushes/trees have been planted as well and have taken root.

Inside, the small tubes used to inject foam in the joints have been cut. I have painted the base of the column with black over the Bottom 2 inches, which I forgot when I did the walls. I have put a 2nd layer of acrylic on the concrete floor, which has shone it up nicely. It is truly waterproof now.

The tunnel door has been cut! A saga that took 3 times as long as needed, but the hole is made, the door is in. Missing a sill and some trim, but functional. I have finally been able to start migrating my tools.

Today we spent a small fortune at our local DIY shop. Feet and top for a 6 meter (20ft) long workbench, glued oak. I ran out of screws so put only the first half on its feet. Several hooks to hang the bicycles and a ladder on the wall. 80m (270ft) steel profile to build a 6m(20ft) long full height shelving. The wood for the shelves is on order, but the frame can be built already.

So I can park in, get into it without going outside, start working on my cars.

Coming weeks, we pull wiring and install light fixtures and wll outlets. I plan on getting and installing a lift before Christmas.
 

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wout

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Really nice progress and you have already a really good tool cart I see.

Wout
 
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