Beadboard Finishing and Installation

After what seemed like a lifetime of staining and varnishing, we finished prepping the beadboard for the eaves and soffit. I was able to figure out a way to make the job go quickly but it wasn't long before the project took up every space we had: the basement, the back yard, the garage. It was a bit overwhelming and I think we will be cleaning up from this for weeks.  

In addition to the beadboard, the demolition process found that much of the original crown molding was beyond repair as well. Edges were worn, sections were rotted, and the previous roofer had nailed the roofing substrate through it, damaging it to the point where it could not be salvaged. This was depressing. I had hoped to be able to save this component so that it was original. Instead, I had to buy new. I was able to find a molding that perfectly matched it in every way except the thickness. The older crown was much heftier than what is available today.
   

Beadboard installation on the upper gables was done by carpenters. They scaffolded the house in order to do this work. It was best to go this way. My carpentry skills are good enough for such a job but it probably would have taken me a month or more to figure it out. They were done in less than a week!

I am really happy with how the new beadboard and crown molding look. It is exactly what I envisioned and it will look even better when it is painted. There is a final piece of molding missing. It is for the corner formed by the freizeboard and the beadboard. It is being made by the millworker right now and should be here next week. I hope I don't have too much trouble installing it.

The eave return detail is a little awkward and not exactly how it should be. I am debating whether or not I should re-do these areas. That's what I get for leaving the job without providing a drawing of what I wanted. I will probably tackle this when I get to the back of the house.