Exterior Walls

     It's been raining continuously in Tokyo for the past few days, and it looks like it will be that way for another week or so.  Things are still moving along nicely, but we are worried that all this rain will impede progress with our exterior walls. 


     A few weeks back, the house was covered with a special kind of paper shield called "Toushitsu Bousui Shi-to" (透湿防水シート) - literal translation: " Breathable Waterproof Sheet".  This protective layer allows for humidity to transpire out of the walls but does not let water to come into the walls.  This particular product is スーパーエアテックスKD manufactured by FUKUVI.

      On top of this waterproof sheet, wooden beams (furrings) called "Doubuchi"(胴縁) were installed.  These are long thin strips of wood (or occasionally metal) used to make backing surfaces to support the finished surfaces in a room.  Furrings allow for air to circulate between the wall and the mortar.

     Last week a team of two came in to install the iron lath that will serve as a foundation for the mortar.  No need for a large truck, a small van did the trick:

     This is what "Tsuuki Nishiyama Lath" (通気ニシヤマラス) looks like close up. 通気 (つうき）means ventilation.  The mortar will be applied right on top of this lath which looks a bit like meshing.  The brown paper at the back also serves as a protective shield against water.

     The lath sheets are simply laid out onto the surface of the wall and secured with large staples.

     According to the tentative work schedule we were given, the mortar should be installed sometime next week, after which there needs to be a period of curing.  Following that, the final stucco finish, "Jollypat" (by Aica), will be sprayed on.  We're looking forward to watching the workers in action during that process!  Amazing what we learn just by watching!