"Through yonder window breaks" Shakespeare, a man who left many quotes in his wake.
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. So until then, pictures with a few videos thrown in will be the norm.
After the debacle on the squareness of the door frame, this the first window was prepared differently. Before plasma cutting the window was checked for square not once but twice. Better to err on the side of caution. More time now means less in the overall process.
Cutting the window frame 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 15mph-20mph with gusts above 25mph, welding took on a whole new art form. To aid in wind blocking, this 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 the heat, block the wind helping to keep you cool, and trap the heat generated from welding. Plastic tarps, in the way of welding, leads to fire. Not fire, but melted plastic on clothes and equipment making welding more work.
Window openings are 4'x4' letting in vasts amounts of air. The windows in the shop 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 2x4 was placed in the window close to a 45degree angle. 90degrees 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, Plan473 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 2x4'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.
The first window and window hatch were prepared during the week, the second window and window hatch had to be prepared after the cutting of the second window. Once a window opening is created, it must have a hatch otherwise there is no protection against the elements.
Fortunately, the cutting of the window openings resulted in square corten steel inserts. Ground smooth and placed inside the window hatch frame (same design as the man hatch), it was tacked into place and hung.
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.
Full welds were completed with the hatch cover hanging on the window. It was easy to follow welds from the inside as black streaks appeared on the wall.
Upon completion, the window was opened for immediate relief of the heat. 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.
Still undecided at the angle at which the hatch will hang, the second window was only suspended with a two foot 2x4. 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 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.