[Jelena]

Originally Posted by tabacco

By the way, for those who don't realize how common (small) earthquakes are:
http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latest.htm

Stockholm had a tiny earthquake last night. More of a loud bang and vibrations. People woke up and thought it was an explosion, but later the seismologists discovered that it was movements in the central part of Stockholm. (2 on the Richter scale)
This is the number one news this morning since it's extremely rare over here.

[UPtimist]

Originally Posted by Stoofa

Not really! Many old city houses were built in rows of the same design, as the years have gone by people have made changes to these houses so they don't look so similar.


We used to have a lot of brick homes where I live. Then in 1917 the biggest pre-atomic artificial explosion occured and knocked a bunch of houses down (which of course crushed anyone unfortunate enough to be in a brick building at the time). Wood is definitely the way to go .

Ah, well, I guess it's just Finland then.

Aren't we the best? Oh, we are so good, you can't believe it...

[bysmitty]

Some updated pix for all ya'll. These were taken this past Friday, one week after the last set. Not bad considering it was a pile of wood 2 weeks ago.









...bysmitty

[RLacey]

I'm impressed with the speed. A British builder would probably have just about put some foundations in by now, though he would have found time to put in the foundations at several other properties too (and would have claimed hourly cups of tea at each)...

[bysmitty]

Ya', this builder ain't foolin' around. Last week alone they got all the siding on, the roof on, most plumbing, all wiring, furnace, and duct work. Really, all they have to do is add the water lines and a cable outlet they forgot and the place is ready for drywall.

...bysmitty

[Jatsie]

I second the comment on speed, very fast indeed.

I find the architecture quite interesting, the style is sort of mock-Colonial. The sash windows, shutters, and the detailing around the doors and windows are all rather Georgian.

Are a lot of modern American houses modelled on this period?

[Sage]

Originally Posted by Jat316sob

I second the comment on speed, very fast indeed.

I find the architecture quite interesting, the style is sort of mock-Colonial. The sash windows, shutters, and the detailing around the doors and windows are all rather Georgian.

Are a lot of modern American houses modelled on this period?

Yes, they are. It's a relatively well-accepted conservative style, it's quite material and space-efficient, and sub-assemblies such as doors, windows, and ornamental shutters in this style are widely available from a large number of suppliers.

[Lucien21]

What they are not finished yet.

I've watched Extreme Makeover. They can do it in 7 days.

[Jelena]

I think "American style" houses are very nice. It's interesting how different houses in different countries look. For instance in Sweden the boards are vertical and we've got other kinds of windows. They open like doors do. And the roof of our house has got concrete tiles.
A Bysmitty house in my neighbourhood would really stand out. In a nice way

[simpson_yellow]

Looking great, bysmitty!
Be honest though. It's not 4 bedrooms; it's 3 bedrooms plus a PC lair.

When I look at that top picture, I get the distinct impression that your house is laughing at me. Either that or it's about to eat me.

[bysmitty]

LOL, it's more like the whole house will be my PC lair. And yes, the house is actually laughing at you in those pictures S_Y. You could hear it miles away laughing at you. Always… constantly… laughing at you... for all to hear. Ummm… or maybe it’s just the fact that it doesn’t have a garage door yet.

Hey Lena, can you post a pic of a Swedish house. I'm intrigued from your description.

...bysmitty

[Jelena]

Originally Posted by bysmitty

Hey Lena, can you post a pic of a Swedish house. I'm intrigued from your description.

Sure. Here's our house. The frameworks is wood with brick facad. The quality of the pics aren't the best since I wanted to keep them 'small'. But you get a good look at the concrete tiles anyway. It's a very heavy roof, but it lasts a minimum of 30 years without no maintenance at all.
Btw as I drove through the oldest part of our small town today I noticed the houses there, built in the early 1900 had horizontal boards.

[tabacco]

That's a nice looking house. That style of tile roof is also comon in certain types of building here (in California, anyway ), although they're usually made of clay rather than concrete.

[Jelena]

Originally Posted by tabacco

That's a nice looking house.

Thanks!

That style of tile roof is also comon in certain types of building here (in California, anyway ), although they're usually made of clay rather than concrete.

We get clay tiles as well but concrete is the most common nowadays, I guess they're cheaper.

[bysmitty]

That is a very lovely house Lena! Now that in my neighborhood would stand out in a good way. Is that the natural color of the roof tiles or are those painted? Also, I really wish that windows came like that in the US. I seams like they would be much easier to wash from the outside and when you open the window all the way, it is open all the way.

...bysmitty

[Sage]

Casement-style ("swing-out") windows like on Lena's house have long since fallen from favor in the US because there's no easy way to put screens on them. If they swing outward, the screens would have to be on the inside and would block the latch.
I love them, but the size, variety, and sheer number of bugs here would keep me from installing them.

[tabacco]

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

Casement-style ("swing-out") windows like on Lena's house have long since fallen from favor in the US because there's no easy way to put screens on them. If they swing outward, the screens would have to be on the inside and would block the latch.
I love them, but the size, variety, and sheer number of bugs here would keep me from installing them.

I picture a giant screen-cube extending outward from the window. Or perhaps an arc matching the radius of the window's swing

[Sage]

Hmmm...that's a interesting thought. It could work very well if a group of smallish windows were mounted in series.

[Jelena]

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

If they swing outward, the screens would have to be on the inside and would block the latch.

Hrm, I don't get that. Now, not only will I buy you lunch, now you'll have to come by our house to inspect the window styles and see for yourself there are no problemas at all.
The windows on the front side of the house swing outward, but on the back side they swing inward. I don't know why that is. It sure is a lot easier to clean the windows swinging inward.

[Jelena]

Originally Posted by bysmitty

That is a very lovely house Lena!

Thank you!
Is that the natural color of the roof tiles or are those painted?[/QUOTE]
There are different colours to choose from when you build the house and that colour stays pretty much the same although fade a little. So, no paint.