Category Archives: Uncategorized

The designer/contractor I have been working with put the latest plans together, included the recommendations from the structural engineer, and submitted them again to the city. The garage ceiling was now at 10-feet, zero-inches (depending on where you measured it … Continue reading →

The city rejected the garage plans.  The ceiling was too high.  Placing wide windows above a service door using standard construction practices, resulted in the top plate being above the city limit of 10-feet, zero-inches. I wasn’t ready to give up … Continue reading →

I live in Minneapolis. There is a vigilant city planning department that ensures that construction and development meets the codes that have evolved to prevent fire hazards, health risks and other zoning ordinances. I am entirely in support of communities … Continue reading →

I recently installed storm doors at This Odd House. From the beginning, I felt like there was something missing at our entries, and during the spring and fall seasons I realized it was that I could not open the doors … Continue reading →

I am about to build a workshop, but in reality I don’t really know what a workshop is.  I have spent much of my life engaged in various activities involving tools and fabrication, but not in any disciplined organized way.  … Continue reading →

Some people in the position of having to replace a garage would seek the most efficient solution:  a garage kit, a standard partially pre-fabricated structure that could be constructed at minimal expense and provide perfectly adequate protection for cars and … Continue reading →

It has been half a year or more since my last posting on the renovation of This Odd House.  The After Party was the official endpoint, but of course as anyone who has taken on a major construction project knows, … Continue reading →

The most popular feature at the After Party was not the food or drink or photo albums or sixties nostalgia, it was the cake. A cake is a feature of many celebrations, and I wanted something to mark this hat-trick … Continue reading →

I had promised an After Party when the renovation of This Odd House was complete.  It turned into a (happily ever) After Party, a date was set, and now I had a deadline for completing the project. It helped focus … Continue reading →