Progress on Patio Palapa

After several days of forced inactivity because of rain or things being wet because of rain, and just generally waiting for them to dry out, the past two days have seen a lot of activity.

Short Recap - the Old Thatch

In short, our old patio palapa thatch had deteriorated past the point of no return. We liked the way the parking palapa now looked with its new zinc roof and felt that was the way to go with the patio palapa.

We also thought it would be a short (ha, ha) project. A couple of weeks and we would be benefiting from having a quiet little retreat to read, meditate, zone out, or whatever.

So, of course, it has become one of those projects that seems - no, does drag on interminably.

Framing Added

Getting Angles

Mahogany Varnish Going On

Once the framing had been completed Mario's boys, started varnishing all the remaining wood of the palapa, a striking mahogany red varnish. This activity went quickly and was able to be finished before the rains started up again.

At first, we thought that it might be a bit too red, but not only does it grow on you, but the color darkens a bit and seems like the right shade

Varnishing All the Lumber

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Making the Screen Frames

Just like with the pool enclosure, the frames by themselves, look massive. Of course, those get the same varnish treatment as the framing pieces.

Screen Room Doorway

Looking Up to the Center

A lot of Wood to Varnish

Screen Panel Trial Fitting

Like Stretching a Canvas

Applying Varnish

Getting Ready for Screen

Another Can of Varnish

Looking Substantial

Pouring More Varnish

Anchoring the Doorway

Screens Up!

It seemed as though the varnish and the screens were installed simultaneously. They actually wern't, but it was a close thing.

Then suddenly, the zinc was here and they began cutting angles so the pieces would fit on the roof. No other way around it, there was a fair amount of waste, but surprisingly, a lot of scrap pieces were able to be used.

Zinc Has Arrived

And the First Piece

Being Fitted

Make Sure It Fits

Leftover Pieces

Showing Gaposis

Daisy Checking Everything

Checking the Work

Stuffing Foam Gap-Tape

Then we had a momentary distraction. On the front of our house was this huge tarantua. She was about 5-inches, wing-tip to wing-tip. And, she had a bright red behind that didn't really show up all that well in the left photo, but is really bright in the right. After taking a couple of pictures, we left her up to her own devices. As long as she stayed outside, we'd get along fine. They're actually pretty docile creatures.

Momentary Distraction

Nice Red Behind

Filling In the Holes

Endher Filling Ridge Cap

Better Doorway Shot

Fabricating the Palapa Cap

Fastening the Cap

Magnetic Screen Door

Now, we're just waiting for the wood screen door. We got a magnetic screen door from Amazon.com, but we need to have the wood screen door installed to be able to fasten the magnetic door to the wood frame of the wood screen door.

Patio Palapa Makeover

Like I said on the last post, on a tentative note, Mario's crew is supposed to be starting Monday morning on the patio palapa. But after one of the biggest holidays of the year, Independence Weekend (Independence Day was 21 September), it remains to be seen just how up for the task they'll be, come tomorrow morning.

Patio Palapa

What they 're going to be working on is the roof of the palapa. We're having them replace the thatch with zinc, just like was done for the parking palapa. And, it's going to be screened in, just like the pool enclosure. We'll have a screen door as well, but also, when we're using it, we can leave the screen door open, because we'll have one of those magnetic screen curtains across the doorway area.

Yes, It's Seen Better Days

Although it looks like it got whacked by a hurricane, nothing like that has happened. The thatch just needs some serious repair. But, since thatch is becoming harder to get, as well as more expensive, we delayed repairs as long as possible.

No Hurricane - Yet

What we're going to now is similar to what we did with the parking palapa - it will get a new zinc roof, which should last much, much longer.

The current roof just lets too much light and rain in.

Oh, I almost forgot. It will also be screened in so a favorite place to sit quietly and read a book will be resurrected once again. It should be similar to the screening we currently have around the pool enclosure.

Tuesday, Tuesday

Here we are, at Tuesday, 22 November, 2016.

We got off swimmingly. Nelson was able to get into the basement for his daily constitutional. He's a happy camper. We have screens going in. It's starting to really look official now.

Shade Cloth Screens Going In

This view is looking outside on the west side from the ramp top landing. The shade cloth screening and frames really give it a finished look.

The View From Inside

Here's the same side, but from the inside now. Really gives a finished look to things, brings it all together.

Across the Back Side

This is the view along the back or north side. The last screen will probably go in tomorrow. They had to wait for the texturing to be applied to the wall right beside the waterfall to get the correct measurement for the frame.

Finishing Pressure-Washing

Pressure washing of the deck and ramps is almost done. Heading down the east ramp.

Pressure-Washing the Pool

And now in the pool. Quite a lot of chipping debris still in the pool. It all has to be removed before Diamond Brite can be applied.

Adding Hydraulic Cement to Cracks

The cracks that were cleaned out earlier are now getting filled with hydraulic cement before the Diamond Brite is applied.

Installing East Screen Door Transom

Doorway transoms are being installed as we speak. Those are screened as well. It is really starting to look finished now.

Theo Texturing Left Side Waterfall

The texturing I mentioned is being applied by Theo. That will allow the last screen frame to be installed on Wednesday.

Mario Actually Working

Our contractor, Mario Zettina, brought a case of glass blocks for the narrow notch next to the waterfall. He's beginning to remove the white paint band from the blocks. This will be replaced with blue paint and will impart a blue tinge to the blocks. Since the blue paint is the same blue we're using for the project, everything will match.

Theo Textured Window Area

Theo finished up the texturing of the window on the back side of the pump house. It's a shame this whole side will seldom be seen by anyone. It looks nice.

Block Production Line

Mario shanghaied a couple of his employees to help with the block stripping and re-coloring project.

Almost Done

As you can see, this part of it is almost done. Next comes the installation of the blocks in the notch. The blocks will give a nice accompaniment to the waterfall.

East Side Screens

Here's a view of the screens from the east side. Looks just as dramatic as on the west side.