Monday, July 23, 2012

Loose Ends


We interrupt this regularly scheduled financial posting to show something actually being accomplished on the completion of the house!!!  Yay!!  I thought I had shown this picture in the last post but I had not.  These are the tiles I have been making to cover and protect the ends of the exposed rafter tails on the south side.


And I installed a number of them today!!  Now, some may say, that's about as worthless as teats on a boar-hog but you know what?  I like 'em.  And that's all that matters.  It actually looks better in person because the tiles line up with the dark underside of the roof ridges above them and it creates a nice rhythm.  They all fit pretty well too.  Accounting for how much clay is going to ultimately shrink can sometimes be a pain but I've about got it down.  The ends of the rafters had been sealed well and then I applied a mastic over the whole end and screwed the tile to it.  The screws will hold until the mastic sets.  This should keep the tails from absorbing much moisture through the cut ends and protect the ends from the harshness of the sun, since these are on the south side.  I did miscount somehow and lack 4 to complete the clerestory rafters.  That is easily remedied and will just have to fire one more time to get them done.  So, as soon as these are done I will be completely through with the upper clerestory and can take down all the ladders and pick boards.  It's waaay overdue.

12 comments:

ErinFromIowa said...

These are very, very cool. Awesome design. I can't say I have ever seen or heard of this being done to a house. You might have a niche market here. ;)

Caddie said...

Very pleasing to my eyes. The color combination - perfect. This is an unusual idea using tiles in this manner. Seems it should work well for your "ends".
Ah, dragonflies again.

I'm lusting looking at the pottery.

Pablo said...

More please!

Ed said...

What's your hourly rate to drive up to Iowa with your kiln and tools?

ErinFromIowa said...

If you come to Iowa to gussy up Ed's new house add me to your must visit list!

MamaHen said...

Hey Erin! thanks! hhmmm, I never really thought about anybody else wanting something like this! lol!

Hey Sissy! thanks!!

Hey Pablo! I'm trying!! lol!

Hey Ed! ha! that'd be a heckuva charge! lol! I can ship 'em though!

Hey Erin! I will! lol!

Island Rider said...

I like it! Reminds me of a Frank Lloyd Wright detail.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous tiles and I love the idea of sealing the end of those rafters with them!

MamaHen said...

Hey IR! Yay! that's good because I was going for a Nouveau Craftsman look.

Hey Molly! thanks!!

Woody said...

Awesome! What a great idea.

Jenn said...

Those rafter ends are awesome.

What makes a house a home are all the little details. Being able to customize so many items in your home (the pierced support beam, the bathroom sink/counter, the rafter ends) makes your home extra wonderful.

MamaHen said...

Hey Woody and Jenn! thanks ya'll!! I appreciate that.