Granite Selections And LEDs

Well, the day had finally come to install the LEDs on the patio!  We were so excited.  We tried a few different methods for affixing the LEDs to the limestone cap.  First we tried a 5 minute epoxy that was waterproof and supposed to be for stone and plastic, but that didn't seem to work.

Next we did a run of hot glue.  That seemed to hold OK, and adhered quickly, but it didn't seem to bond as well as we wanted, though we saw several youtube videos where people used hot glue to bond lights to brick and the like.

Next we tried the E6000 craft glue which is waterproof and bonds any and everything.  It seemed to be working well at first, but then gravity started taking over.  We used some boards and C clamps to affix longer portions of the run, and an hour our so later it was bonded pretty well!

We will see how the two methods hold up, but we have only done about half of the patio so far.  The dimmer works well and has quite a range.

We also went to the granite yard to make a selection for the granite we want to use in the bathroom.  The place had alot (too many) choices.  After we looked at all 300 slabs, we decided on the same color that we have in the kitchen!  We had narrowed it down to three choices, and agreed the one that would go best with the tile we chose for the floor (in the entire bathroom and shower) was Sapphire Blue.  It is the lowest level, which makes it the cheapest.

Then, just as we were leaving, noticed another color, in the store that looked nice.  We wanted to get a better look at the slab in the yard, and decided another one next to it was even better!

So we thought we had left with a decision, and now have three choices again.  Unfortunately, the other two that we liked were level 3 choices which would about $330 to the total price.  We aren't sure if it is worth it.

What do you think?

Our initial first three choices.  We decided on Sapphire Blue which is on the right.

Close up of Sapphire Blue, at home - Choice A

Then we saw Emerald Pearl in the store and liked it!  -  Choice B

When we got to the yard, it was with Brown Antique which also looked good!

Close up of Brown Antique with iridescent shimmer.  - Choice C

Which would you go with???

We fixed the siding mounted lights by using a shallow old work box to flush mount the lights on the siding box.

 Before

 After!

 The two finished lights on the house

And now, the moment we have all been waiting for!

Dimmest Setting

 Medium Brightness

Full Brightness

 That is just the LEDs lighting up the porch!

 Time to enter another LED photo competition.  Which photo do you like best to showcase the LEDs for a photo competition.  For more visual interest, we are thinking one of the two below.  Which do you like?

 LED Photo 1

LED Photo 2

Too many choices!

We made the final selections for tile in the bathroom. We went with Mesa beige and glazed sliced dark ocean pebble tiles. 

Window trim went up on most of the windows today. 

Up close:

Distance shot:

The windows in the bathroom couldn't be done because they pored a layer of thinset over the radiant heat and in the shower. 

Close up:

(I'm not sure who walked on it.)

Sump and floor heat

Today they installed the new sump pump and floor heat.

The floor heat ended up being 240v which complicates the electric.

The sump pump cord doesn't reach the ceiling where the receptacle was planned.

Sheet rock is looking good.

We takes to the GC and made tile selections. Mesa beige porcelain tile from Lowes. We still don't know exactly what we will use for the shower floor but it will be some sliced pebble tile.

We have to go the granite place to look at the options for vanity tops.

Some photos below

Taping and electrical

A few pics of the amazing electrical work:

Finished panel:

Taping and spackle: 

We have walls!

The drywallers showed up at 7:20 am! I'm not sure when they left, but when I got home around 5 they were gone and there were only scraps of drywall left.

Shot from the doorway:

Shot into fireplace room:

Unfinished areas are the shower and toilet room:

Insulation

Three guys came and did the job in less than 4 hours.

Big package of batting R-38:

I noticed they used various R ratings. R-38 on ceiling, and R-19 on walls.

Basement insulation of bottom of rafters:

Master suite view from doorway: 

Master suite view of shower plumbing area:

Master suite lights in shower:

Porch electric

Finished the porch electrical today. Lights arrived at 5pm and we were able to get them strung and lamped before the baseball game.

We are assuming the inspector will make us install damp location covers so we started installing some but it is so dumb because it will never get wet in there.

Photos below: