tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post743978376011403317..comments2023-11-05T06:16:56.961-05:00Comments on the Carpentry Way: Bark Worse than Bite? IIAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-60234616149652953932009-04-09T17:47:00.000-04:002009-04-09T17:47:00.000-04:00Chris:Thanks so much for blogging about your work....Chris:<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for blogging about your work. I have heard much about Client E's project. Sounds like it must have been interesting to work on this site. <BR/><BR/>Keep up the posts. Thanks,<BR/><BR/>Mark<BR/>AustinUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02721743263986560108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-14815837467641246752009-03-05T10:38:00.000-05:002009-03-05T10:38:00.000-05:00Sheets,good question. the Client E job followed im...Sheets,<BR/><BR/>good question. the Client E job followed immediately upon the heels of the Cob hut project - in fact, when I returned home from time to time during the course of the client E project, I continued work with the mud and sticks. Some rejected and damaged copper shingles from Client E's 'barn' roof, in fact, I gleaned from the roofing company, shipped home and used to cover my outhouse roof. <BR/><BR/>I agree that these two projects are about as far apart from one another as you can get on the building continuum -a very extreme contrast, as you note. I feel I have gained a very broad background as a result of both these projects - having been engaged in the most humble low-tech sort of work, and the most exotic. <BR/><BR/>And when I was done on the client E project after 2 years, I returned home and ended up building that first piece of furniture, the doctor's reception desk. Funny world. <BR/><BR/>~ChrisAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-86645781377997340332009-03-05T10:26:00.000-05:002009-03-05T10:26:00.000-05:00Hi Mark,thanks for your questions. Life expectancy...Hi Mark,<BR/><BR/>thanks for your questions. Life expectancy of a Japanese bark roof?<BR/><BR/>Well, that depends. Here's the longish answer:<BR/><BR/>The durability of natural materials used in building relies upon 5 basic criteria:<BR/><BR/>1) quality of materials<BR/>2) technique/tools used for dressing the materials<BR/>3) design of the building (that is, that a building be designed such that it doesn't carry the 'seeds' of its own demise)<BR/>4) soil conditions at site, incl. foundations<BR/>5) external/internal environment, like rel. humidity, wind, freeze/thaw cycles, seismic activity, etc.<BR/><BR/>Organic materials used for roofing, like thatch, Cypress bark or shingles, may be said to have an average durability, depending upon the mix of factors described above, of 3~5 decades. In some cases a bark roof may only last 20 years, in others I have heard of thatch roofs lasting 75 years. So, it depends. Slate, copper and ceramic tile are proven to be the most durable roofing materials.<BR/><BR/>As for client E., I really can't speak to that, as i only 'met' him once, where we had a brief 5 minute chat about a historic structure on his property, and he complimented both Walter and myself on our work. Often, when he came on site, we were instructed to vacate our work spaces, you know, make ourselves scarce, when he came through. so, my observations and insight into him are definitely at a distance.<BR/><BR/>As for his treatment of materials, well, he was not directly involved in such things, however I can say, that despite the 'excesses' I perceived in regards to the overall project, the client COULD have afforded to literally GILD everything, but he instead had much more 'humble' (albeit high quality) materials in the buildings, and I respected that. It is, I think, harder to show restraint when cost is no object, than it is to indulge oneself. The 'Gilded Age' architecture in Newport attests to that quite well I think, and certain French castles come to mind too.<BR/><BR/>Don't worry about me running out of material to write - I've got plenty to say yet! I can't guarantee my posts will be daily, but they will be regular.<BR/><BR/>~ChrisAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14328401081765407624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-74478514557922496022009-03-05T09:22:00.000-05:002009-03-05T09:22:00.000-05:00Well, I'll bite - did this project come before or ...Well, I'll bite - did this project come before or after your Sticks and Mud house? In either case, quite a contrast. Except for the "attitude" of the craftsmen, everything else is at the extreme opposite ends of the scale (including respect for fine craftsmanship).<BR/>I have a friend who is a blacksmith. Among his talents is the ability to do artistic and sculptural work, so he is often engaged by the wealthy to do "something different" for their homes. While he naturally appreciates their ability to pay a reasonable price for wis work, he often laments that they don't care at all about the skills (his or any other artisan hired for similar reasons) or even the quality (which is excellent), they just want to have something that most others can't afford. Naturally, this type of client is few and far between, so to make a living, the blacksmith depends on work fabricating and repairing from the local fishermen. Again, quite a contrast.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6261993076995357307.post-77147375527567016582009-03-05T08:54:00.000-05:002009-03-05T08:54:00.000-05:00Hi Chris -What is the expected life expectancy of ...Hi Chris -<BR/><BR/>What is the expected life expectancy of a Japanese (not Client E's redwood) bark roof? And how thick do they wind up being?<BR/><BR/>Having worked in the past for a long time in Client E's industry, and with his products, I know that he used to have (and maybe still does have) a reputation for being a bit on the arrogant side. I'd be curious to hear if he treated the materials he used and the carpenters who worked for him with a fair amount of respect, although I understand if you don't feel it is appropriate for you to comment on this.<BR/><BR/>Very much enjoy your posts, although I am afraid you are going to run out of things to write about, and I won't be able to get my daily Chris fix.<BR/><BR/>MarkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com