Work-in-progress, Rivas

Submitted by aklauren on 25 January, 2008 - 12:08.
Work-in-progress, Rivas

Another shot of our building project, NE of Rivas, on the Lake. We were told we had to have "verjas", protective bars, but we didn't want to feel imprisoned. This was our solution: bars as art.

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Awsome porch.....

Submitted by MTadam on 27 January, 2008 - 11:54.

A rainy season down pour, maybe a Clapton album, Flor de cana y naraja...... You guys are lovin it! Congrats again

Worry

Submitted by aklauren on 26 January, 2008 - 12:09.

I appreciate your concern, and cannot in all honesty say it is misplaced. I have heard enough stories and first-hand accounts from other ex-pats (and from any number of our Nica friends as well) in the Rivas area to know theft exists, in excess, and we would be naive and remiss to not protect ourselves accordingly. But, as you said, living as if under siege is no life, either. So we'll do what we can, both in terms of practical construction, but more energy will continue to be placed on becoming a part of the community. Well, that and we really are planning to have as little to steal as possible--a truly stripped-down life.

roof, etc

Submitted by aklauren on 26 January, 2008 - 10:53.

Thanks--and don't worry! As I wrote, this is a work-in-progress. We plan to not only close in the spaces between the purlings, but eventually put on a 12-18" living roof (sod, plants, etc), which will serve to insulate from the heat, filter rainwater, and, of course, deter potential unwanted entrances. In addition, while I recognize that no house is completely secure down here, we live in a small, insular neighborhood, with many neighbors, a caretaking family at the base of the property (the father and teenage son are part of our "crew"), and lots of great kids, many of whom are also working on the project with my husband (and getting paid.) As far as we can tell, they all seem more concerned about keeping us there (and happy) than selling off our tin...Anyway, we'll be back to work in late February, and I'll post updates. And yes, there will be paint and landscaping of some sort.

I do worry, even though I

Submitted by willdufauve on 26 January, 2008 - 11:56.

I do worry, even though I don't know you, I hope you don't have a bad experience.

You don't want to be paranoid or live like you're under siege but get the most secure set-up you can, eliminate the flaws, then go about a good life without wasting any mental energy worrying about material stuff.

The "Broons Country Home" in Rivas

Submitted by dirtbag on 26 January, 2008 - 10:37.

Looking Great Lauren. You should post a shot of the house looking towards the Lake and Volcanoes. Who IS that handsome fellow on the porch. Did you lock him out again?

I'll bet a slender thief

Submitted by willdufauve on 26 January, 2008 - 00:08.

I'll bet a slender thief could take a 2x4, or a length of re-bar, and pry the roofing zinc up off the rafters with one good tug and climb in over the top, in about 10 seconds.

See those spaces between the rafter ends, perpendicular to the zinc? If it was me, I'd put something sharp and spikey up there or run some barb wire along the gap spaces where it wouldn't be seen. (I lived in Philadelphia for a year.)

The roof is the way in

Submitted by fyl on 26 January, 2008 - 07:25.

What you see is typical construction. And the easiest "way in" is to lift up the zinc. If the rafters are wood, this is about zero work as the zinc is generally held down with nails. With the metal purlines, screws are used but a wrench or pair of pliers will get you in silently.

I have a metal roof on my

Submitted by willdufauve on 26 January, 2008 - 12:00.

I have a metal roof on my goat shed. didn't use nails. It's fastened to the rafters with flathead screws with a rubber washer for water tightness. Harder for a thief to lift than wiht nails but still no problem.

great obsevation

Submitted by BlackEagle on 26 January, 2008 - 08:41.

I always thought the roof was way to go myself. One of the reasons I have always thought of Colombian style architecture if I build a house down in Nicaragua -4 walls with 2 floors of rooms and a central courtyard . Need at least a two story ladder to access the roof.No stand alone wall at all

The iron bars applied over a

Submitted by willdufauve on 26 January, 2008 - 12:08.

The iron bars applied over a window as a single add on unit are weaker than irregular indivdual bars set in concrete. A strong chain and a pick-up truck can pull bar panels off, maybe a horse or motorbike would do it too.

Some people I know set up a decoy easy way in with a surprise waiting but the ethics are short.

The iron work is very

Submitted by willdufauve on 26 January, 2008 - 11:41.

The iron work is very attractive but a thief could climb up it like a ladder, then lift the zinc.

Like it, very creative

Submitted by K7 on 25 January, 2008 - 18:06.

Is it finished? Is the grey metal finish the final finish?

Will you be doing any kind of mural or color on the concrete wall?

If I may be so disrecpectful as to intrude in your artistic project, I see lots of potential for either packed sand or plants in front.

Verjas

Submitted by fyl on 25 January, 2008 - 12:18.

I love what you did with them. While what we have is "artistic" it still looks like bars.

verjas

Submitted by aklauren on 25 January, 2008 - 12:35.

Thanks. I just did a sketch, and Edwin (our friend/builder) and Patrick (my husband) started welding and cutting. The neighbors at first called it the telaraña (spider web) house, until the sealife went up. Now they're just amused...