What home improvement work did you do today?

That looks great! Never heard of it. That’s sweet.

 

thanks! Wife pick out the design and I do the labor haha

 

Finally, it’s finished! Bark is in, trees, also drip line.
I ran a valve and multiple drip lines to the water feature so when it’s hot out and the plants get water, so does the water feature. I can turn them on with my phone through the Rainbird App as well.
I’ve slept out on the back porch couch a few nights. The sound of all the water coming off the rocks is amazing!! I had no idea it would be so loud. I can adjust each individual valve if I want less water and less sound. We also open our dining room windows for the sound
Before

After


Video
https://youtu.be/CzTXRgY0QiI

 

Soooooo much work and attention to detail, a labor of love. Looks awesome!!!!!! I’m gonna take notes for the next house haha

 

The previous owner's father had a parakeet. He built this elevated patio, built the roof on it and screened it in to make a giant bird cage. He then passed away and we bought it from his son. I have an indoor cat, so now it's a Catio. It also leads to the garage and the backyard.

 

That's awesome. It's builds/improvements like this why I love this thread.

 

Apparently it’s only from the cabinet mountain range or something?!? Who knows but it’s got more color than most rock so I like it. And even happier that it’s done.

 

Catio.

 

Anyone have an opinion on quartz or granite for a new counter top? Pros/cons to either?

 

Quartz is cheaper and doesn't have to be sealed, from what I have researched. Granite requires more maintenance, but also has a higher value if you are planning to sell.

 

I think of granite as kind of old school material and quartz as the new stuff.
Our rental has granite and our new home has quartz, I couldn’t really tell much of a difference to be honest. I just liked the quartz designs to pick from vs granite. Cost wise from what we found, they can be around the same - all depends on the design. I think the installers charge around the same for either material. Also check slab sizes if you’re doing a large island, sometimes certain materials don’t come in big enough chunks and you’ll have lines/seams. Our island is 12ftx5ft and we had to do 1 seam down the middle. Thankfully you can’t tell.

 

Since we got the house last year, the pantry door hinges squeaked. It didn't bother me much, was always something I would notice while making breakfast and think "yeah let's spray this when I'm home from work".

Since we got a puppy, it seems like every other door in the house started squeaking. I notice when hes asleep and I'm trying to sneak around the house. Even worse, the puppy treats are in the pantry so he has associated the squeak with treats.

This morning enough was enough, I grabbed a can of dry lube with the little red straw and sprayed/wiped off every hinge in the house. Its oddly satisfying to have silent doors.

Now im waiting for the wife to notice like

 

when we built the house a few years ago, we didn't really see any quartz design we liked. we like alot of randomness within it like veining, blotches, etc. The quartz we saw available to us didn't have what we wanted so we went with granite. Very happy with it. Plus we cook alot (my wife does at least lol) and didn't wanna risk the whole thing with heat we had mentioned to us like mentioned above.

 

5 years ago, we did new counter tops and quartz priced out nearly 2x as much as granite. We settled for granite.

 

I have granite and like it. Its been 13 years and I have never had to do anything but wipe it down, never been sealed since install. There are No cracks, burns, or stains and honestly its pretty neglected.

 

Had granite in our last kitchen and quarts in bathroom rooms but opted again for granite in our new kitchen as we just liked the design of the stone better.

Also started building a shed today as well

 

You got a lot done on that shed in one day!

 

Thanks it was definitely a productive day, hope to finish the siding and get the roof done this weekend. Got to get the tundra back in the garage

 

Pure granite makes for a good air hockey table with another granite piece on top when clean .

Do you guys calibrate your kitchen counter tops?

 

Finished the patio furniture and added some wood paneling on the bar

 

Looks great! Can we trade houses?

 

Tried to replace a leaky hose bib...ended up having to do more



also made a little insert for this entryway bookshelf thingy cause we keep piling crap into it since the hole is there



still need some touch up paint though.

 

Built some window planters to cover the stucco voids. Door tomorrow, then exterior envelope is finished.