What Light!
Try as I may, I never seem to complete an idea for a blog. Cameras were purchased for the purpose of recording at various angles and compiling a video instead of taking picture after picture. However, as of yet, getting the camera to record the idea in my head has not happened. Not to mention how time-consuming videos are to take, prepare, and load onto the blog. Don’t get me wrong, I watch a fair amount of vlogs but just cannot seem to create more time in my day to produce them. Until then pictures with a few videos thrown in will be the norm.
“Through yonder window breaks” Shakespeare, a man who wrote many quotes. Not into Shakespeare, how about something more contemporary like the light at the end of the tunnel or Dumbledore’s “happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light”.
Last week while the Kid was in Space at grandma’s the only bit of work accomplished was one partial window hatch for the Shop Box. Exactly like the man hatch but smaller in sizing.
This week on the other hand, the Planner was so busy he forgot to take pictures while working. And since we already discussed why the lack of videography all I have to offer you for a weeks worth of work is three pictures. Luckily for you, these two pictures show a plethora of work. Picture one and two both show bracketing to attach three window hatches. Unlike the man hatch, the window hatches will swing open and closed from above the window and cannot use standard heavy trailer hinges. In the background of picture two, the two window hatches frames without conex insides are just visible. Picture three is the same as picture one except the top left corner shows all window frames cut to length and ready to install. Picture four has nothing to do with Boxes in Fields but instead my need for work. Every other Saturday all summer long, I host an aquatic related art activity. Wanting something special for the July 4th weekend, the Planner cut and rounded smooth out 40 wooden fish in two variations. Deciding he wanted to participate but not having access to paints, he drilled holes instead.
After the ordeal in attempting to square the door frame, this the first window was prepared differently. Before complete plasma cutting of the square, the bottom of the window was cut and then using the plasma cut line, the remaining lines on the inside of the box were checked for square. Twice. Once was not good enough, it had to be twice. Better to err on the side of caution. More time spent now means less in the overall process. Cutting the window opening as it was turned out the be the easiest part of this weekend’s project.
Being summer and the coastal bend, the wind was blowing between 15 mph-20 mph with gusts above 25 mph. Welding in these conditions took on a whole new art form. To aid in wind blocking, a sheet of plywood was attached to the work basket. When that didn’t work, a tarp was draped across. The tarp helped in wind blocking but created other problems. First and foremost, heat. Black tarps absorb sun heat and trap welding generated heat. Blocking the wind worked well enough to weld but it also blocked the wind helping to keep the body cool. Lastly black tarps are plastic. Plastic and welding spatter do not mix. Plastic and welding results in plastic melting onto clothes and equipment making welding more work.
Window openings are 4’x4′ letting in vasts amounts of air. The windows in the Shop Box were really not designed for light so much as they were for ventilation. Maybe someday in the future, the shop will be air conditioned, but for now, cross ventilation will be the only air supply. As with the man door and its man hatch, the windows will be protected against potential hurricanes with window hatches. Window hatches will also protect against rain coming into the shop.
Needing an idea on how the window hatches will shield from the rain, a 2×4 was placed in the window close to a 45 degree angle. 90 degrees would let the most wind pass through the shop but would not offer the best rain protection. From the inside, it is clear how much light and wind is blocked with a 45-degree angle. The hatches will remain open year round with expect for monthly maintenance. Remember, Boxes in Fields is the salt corrosion capital of the world. Regularly scheduled maintenance will ensure the hatches work as designed in the event of a bad storm. Don’t want to have to work on the hatch when there is storm a comin’.
The second window did not require the use of the black plastic tarp as it was not in direct line with the wind. Not having to struggle with the wind made for an easier and quicker installment.
Both of these windows are in the office area of the shop. If you look inside the second window you can see the red wall of the first conex box. When cutting out the inner walls, this ten-foot section of red wall was left for the office. A back wall will be installed later with 2×4’s and sheet rock. Standing at the far corner of the office wall, this will be the view outside. As portrayed, having a window hatch really does reduce light and wind. However, it also reduces direct heat too. Sitting in the office will have a direct line of sight to the house (where the trailers are currently parked) and a view over the remaining property where the current storage boxes are sitting.
Window #2 is the only north facing window. Window #1 is an east facing window along with the man door. The Wind generally comes out of the southeast all year round. Having this north facing window helps for cross ventilation in the summer while providing the only window for the few days a year when the wind blows directly out of the north. The Planner took great care in ensuring the window hatch material was placed into the window hatch correctly so when closed against the box the materials matched. Oh, how he knows and understands my OCD. Once corten steel was in place, it was tacked, then fully welded, and hung.
Another busy weekend at Boxes in Fields, two very hot, very long days. The final window hatch was installed and propped open at 4pm Sunday. There was still messes to clean up and the Doubter still had to go home hot and tired. Still undecided at the angle at which the hatch will hang, the second window was only suspended with a two foot 2×4. Easier to open because it doesn’t have to be pushed out as far, it does restrict a lot of light and wind. Also, with such a narrow opening, the inside casement windows won’t be able to fully open. Windows in the Shop Boxe are test dummies for windows in the house. All things to consider in the next few months. November deadline for the house is fast approaching. Yikes, time is a moving along quickly.