View of loft from the main floor, Aug 27, 2010

Here are pictures of the loft from the main floor. The top picture is the north end, the bottom the south end. As you can see, all of the logs for the roof system have been stained completely. Here you can see the four windows that were framed in and sheeted over. When I get the windows next year, I will use a router to remove the OSB covering the window openings and install the windows.

These windows will require the use of the fork lift. Three of these windows will be sliders for ventilation. The window directly over the family room could be a picture window or a slider. I will have to look at how easy it can be accessed before I make the decision.

Installing windows And doors, Aug 27, 2010

Today I started installing windows and doors. The first windows I installed were the three 5' by 5' sliders in the dormers. It was a quite windy today so it was a little challenging getting them in place by myself. I used the lift to get them on the roof.
I installed one door on the main floor and a 6 ft by 4 ft picture window in the family room. I made a mistake and did not allow for the 2" X 6" frame on the top and bottom of the window, so I had to cut the top flat twice. You would not believe the amount of sawdust the chainsaw throws out when you do a rip cut.

When I bought the windows, they only had 2 - 4' X 4' windows, which is just what I needed for the main floor. The 4 - 4' X 4' windows that I sheeted over in the gables will have to be completed next year. The dealer said they would not be in until the end of the year.

I also need a 4' X 3' window, and a 4' X 3.5' window for the main floor. They were out of stock on these also, so I will frame these windows out with 2 X 6s and sheet them over with OSB for the winter. Next year I will install them when I install the windows in the gables.

I will probably be framing out the last 3 doors on the main floor and sheeting them over with OSB for the winter. At this point, the house will be completely dried in.

End gables sheeted & wrapped, Aug 25, 2010

Today I finished sheeting in the end gables and covering them in house wrap. I sheeted over the windows on both ends for the winter. Next year I will cut back the house wrap over the windows, and router the windows out. I ran out of white Tyvek, so I had to use some blue to finish. It makes it look like the house is winking!

Tomorrow I will finish staining the last half of the ridgepole, the last half of the west side purlin, and three of the upright logs supporting the roof system. With these completed, the only staining left on the house is the 2 inch strip on the underside of the facia boards. This has to be completed before I install the soffit boards. Since I won't install any soffit boards this year, it can wait for next year.

Once I have completed the inside staining I will dismantle all the scaffolding, load them on two trailers, and return them to Al Anderson and Paul Talon.

I have a load of 15 sheets of OSB being delivered tomorrow to sheet over the main floor doors and windows. I will cut them so I can use them on the garage roof next year. I will send back 14 sheets of 7/16" OSB, 6 - 24' TGIs and 8 -2 X 6 X 16' with the driver for credit. This will clean up all my building supplies on site for the year.

I have one 3' exterior door that I purchased last year that I will install on the main floor on the north east corner of the house. This will give me access to the house, yet allow it to be locked up for the winter.

Finished framing end gables, Aug 23, 2010

Today I finished framing in the end gables. Tomorrow and possibly Wednesday, I will be helping shingle a roof in Butte for my cousin. When we finish, I'll take one of his people to run the lift and sheet the end gables and cover the sheeting with Tyvex.

After the gables are sheeted the next step is to cut the windows and doors on the main floor to their final size and frame them in. I may just install one door on the main floor, and sheet over the other doors and windows for the winter.

Framing 75% complete, Aug 21, 2010

As of today I have completed 75% of the framing on the end gables. You see the north end here completed. On the south side the half over the loft is also completed. I have to set up the scaffolding on the main floor to finish the south end. I need a second person to run the lift to sheet the gable ends. I will be trading some work with my cousin to get someone to help.

The wind was blowing so hard today from the south that my cap kept blowing off my head. Tony was staining the ridgepole and had to stop because of the wind.

Framing end gables, Aug 19, 2010

Today I started framing in the end gables. I was looking for someone with experience to help me with this, but it turns out I am experienced! What you see completed here took me 13 hours. I think I can complete the framing on both ends by Saturday. The end over the family room will be a little tricky. It's close to 30 feet above the floor. When the framing is completed, I will sheet both ends with OSB and cover them with Tyvek. (A plastic sheeting that protects the OSB)

Yesterday I also installed the last two beams in the basement. They support the logs that run from the main floor all the way to the roof system.

Finished shingling, Aug 18, 2010

Yesterday I had to purchase a roofing nailer and a 100 foot air hose to finish shingling the roof. I made it to within 3 feet of the peak yesterday before the shingles became too hot to walk on safely. Today I finished shingling the house. I am now looking for someone to help me frame out the end gables.

Framing the end gables requires two people as we will do a lot of it using the lift.