Entry Two: Sigh - Nothing is level or square. (2008-12-26)

So, here are my rough plans for the studio.

The area labeled "console room" is the original structure. The front entry (lower left) and server room/synth nook (right side) are new additions. The top left room is phase two of the build. It will be the live room. That area has it's own existing detached cement pad.

I've started the build. One thing I'm learning is the person who built this structure didn't own a level. At first I took it for granted things would be mostly level and square. I've learned my lesson on that one.

I have changed my original plans on having the semi-live room (which is labeled Live room above). The live room was going to be off of the server room side. I'm doing away with the semi-live room plan and converting this space into the live room. This area will be rebuilt from the ground up with complete double wall system in 2x6. This way I can save time and money on a new cement pad.

Starting the build.

The 4'x12' entry is not over the cement pad and was only intended to be a covered porch for the original structure. The front entry supports have all been replaced, the "porch" has been removed and rebuilt and it has new post/pier and vapour barrier. To the right you can see the server room extension going in. To the left you can see the shed business over the live room cement pad.

Server room extension.

The server room is going to be about 4'7" x 11'. I'm putting two 44 unit rack mounts in the wall between the console room and server room. Another area in the room with be isolated to house the noisy equipment like computers and gear with fans. I'll have to come up with some crafty way to access the front of this gear from the console room - some sliding window or something.

The server room will also house the AC, electrical panel and act as part of my air exchange system. I should have a little room left over for storage.

Looking to the rear of the console room.

In the center is a new support post. You can also see where a window used to be. On the right wall where the door is leaning is about where the 44 unit rack mounts will be.

The biggest bitch I have in this build so far is the floors. The original structure had 2x4 joists covered with 1x6 fir "sub floor", tar paper and topped with 1/4" plywood. There was no vapour barrier or insulation. He used galvanized nails in the fir 1x6's which would NOT come out without a fight. Normally I would have just ripped the entire floor to insulate it. In this case I strategically pulled a handful of 1x6s, reached under and stapled up a plastic fencing material to hold the insulation in place. Quite a laborious process.

I'm leaving the 1x6 in place and will cover it with 3/4 plywood or 3/4 MDF.

Ceiling insulation.

I've started insulating the ceiling and I plan on pulling the normal insulation from the back wall and replacing it with Roxul Safe ’n’ Sound. In fact all the old insulation is being replaced with this stuff.

The outside waiting for Tyvek house wrap and aluminum skirting - go away snow.

The siding on 3 of the exterior walls have been removed (I haven't started work on the "live room" side yet). I've re-sheeted with 15/32 exterior grade OSB and Acousti-sealed to the studs. Let me say this, Acousti-seal is the devil's nasty black caulk. I can't work with the goop from hell without getting it all over everything. It is also a bitch to work with in sub-zero temperatures (it's been -6c to 0c for the last few weeks,. and snowing). Getting this crap out of the caulking gun is giving me Popeye forearms.

I'm still on the fence on siding. I can reuse most of the cedar I pulled down or buy another product. Hardie board siding is quite dense and would do well for adding mass to my build. I'm sort of leaning this way at the moment. For now I'm just going to put up the Tyvek and work on the inside until I get a few good days to work on the outside (I have to put in drainage, eve troughs, flashing, etc as well).