The infamous shed roof at Castlewood is finally up!

Laying out the shed roof framing on the ground to check the dimensions back in March.

 Sometimes hand tools are the best.

She'll get a fancy cooper roof next week.

The turned balusters on this handrail were a very fun project to install. Much thanks to Zach at Van Jester Woodworks for the beautiful millwork. 

Fancy balusters and handrail.

Building handrails out of antique heart pine means that all my tools dull more quickly, but the end grain is beautiful.

All of these bevels had to be hand cut; this 'V' fits over the bevel of the bottom rail to repel water. These handrails will not be protected by a roof.

All of the balusters, or pickets, are mounted to the bottom rail through the base. We've found that the typical failure of handrails is through the fasteners on the bottom rail. Hiding them is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it eliminates holes in the bottom of the pickets in which water can enter. 

The fasteners are also stainless steel, so in the event water does sneak its way in, the fasteners will hold their ground.

The channel is then filled with a filet, so it appears solid to people that are lying on the ground examining the underside of the bottom rail. 

Finished and installed! Each rail, top and bottom, is mortised into the posts for added rigidity.

We've decided this second story promenade is the perfect place to get married.

Fun fine carpentry at Castlewood

This will eventually get tongue and groove sheathing, painted baby blue, and protect the entrance to the basement below.

 Cody and Syd got to do some production work! These handrails and pickets are all heart pine.

White plains porch

Custom columns for an old porch based on drawings from the 1800s and some expert advice from Calder Loth, an architectural historian. The salvaged mahogany handrail is tenoned into the columns.