With the new boards cut and marked, I needed to start cutting the openings for the windows and doors. I am cutting them with a utility blade. The thickest boards are 3/16″, so it is reasonably easy and quick.
Since the timber assemblies sit on top of the structure boards, I needed to pad the lower areas that will be covered in egg carton stone. The side addition front has 5/16″ thick timbers, so I first added a 3/16″ plywood layer.
I then added a 1/16″ mat board layer. I could have used 1/4″ plywood, yes, but I was trying to use up the scraps I had on hand. The sides will have 1/8″ thick timber assemblies, so I added a layer of 3/32″ balsa — again using up the scraps I had on hand.
I have a small Timberbrook working basement window from All About Miniatures that I’ve added to the lower side wall.
Since you can’t take it apart to finish, I decided to try staining it before cutting the opening. If it turned out to be a disaster, I wouldn’t have wasted my time and energy cutting the opening for it (and then have to fill it back in). It worked well. This is Minwax Dark Walnut.
I cut the garage door and lower entry door holes in the 1/8″ thick main backer board. I cut a 3/16″ thick padding board for the lower front (not glued in place yet). This will have egg carton stone covering it.
I cut the opening for the front door and checked the fit. Hooray! :D
I cut the three openings for the bay window section and the single upper window above the door.
