The Secret Lair Siding Bleg got a couple of sizable last-minute hits via snail mail, which are very timely. Thanks to them I’ll be able to do work for which I didn’t think there’d be sufficient resources. (Compared to what I paid for the actual structure, this business of finishing its exterior has become very expensive.)
As you can see, we’ve already installed a door to nowhere. 🙂
Tomorrow is supposed to be a very bad day to tear off the windward side of your house, but this coming week after the wind and rain give it a rest I’m scheduled to tear down the south side of the Lair and put it back together better. It’s the most complex single job because it involves framing in a new window. The door to nowhere comes next and may have to wait a bit. But I have all the materials for the upper railing. Once that’s finished, siding the upper part of the front will be the simplest part of the whole project. Without the balcony I don’t know how we’d ever do it.
There have been encouraging signs of progress so far, but it’s going to be great to see the actual commencement of actual construction. I wish I could be there to swing a hammer for you and swill your beer (even if it’s only virtual beer), but will have to settle for “supervising” from afar.
Joel, it looks like you will have to trim the height of that door. I suggest that you consider trimming it a bit extra so that you can leave at least four inches under the threshold to allow for metal flashing along that whole balcony. I don’t see any other way to ensure a long-term seal around those protruding rafters.
Yes, using the door will require a step-over, but that’s a small price to pay to reduce the possibility of chronic structure-damaging leaks. (Ignore this if that was already in your plan.)
I’m agreeing with Ben 3:04 above – having the deck flush with bottom of door (even with a threshold) is asking for water intrusion issues. Even if the roof slope is the opposite direction, better safe then sorry.