Word - Framing

It took a while of back and forth to decide what the roof of the connector was going to be constructed from, antique beams or lumber that we cut ourselves. Of course we knew that we would save money if we could cut the lumber ourselves or have it cut at the local lumber yard but could we achieve the look we wanted and match the exising antique log cabin that everything has been built around. After several test of lumber scraps and solutions to make the timber look older we decided we wanted to do it ourselves. That allowed the most flexibility and I think the end result was perfect. The color matched the existing log cabin exactly and the look is exactly what we were going for in that it looked like it was built years ago from the materials that were available with local materials. I decided to leave the natural edge on the bottom to give the beams a more authentic look.

09/28/2011

10/06/2011

Word - Windows

The windows were delivered and installed and true to many other aspects of this job, it wasn't easy. The driver of the truck got stuck before he even made it to the site and then he had to park the truck at the gate of the clients drive. The drive is approx. 800' long, going up a steep incline and then back down to the house site. The hill was too steep for his truck which was not four wheel drive. We had to have my brother there with the flatbed truck to load the windows from the box truck onto the flat bed, haul them to the house and then unload them across a 3' wide walking plank from the drive into the house. The greatroom window was by far the heaviest window and the most scary to manuver over the maze of obstacles. The myriad of potential outcomes that run through my mind the night before is what keeps me up at night. Luckily I work with crews that understand the obstacles and realize how important it is to go slow and treat the materials with care.

09/28/2011

Kurnick - Septic install

We started to install the septic field today. It's good to get the septic field in first because it's on the far side of the house so once the foundations are in the path to the side of the house for the septic get's more difficult to access. Thankfully, no hidden surprises of rock so all is well and the septic field and setting of the tank goes in like clockwork. The field and tank need to be inspected by the Jackson County Department of Environmental Health before covering up to ensure all is installed properly

9/28/2011

Komara - Framing

Setting the glulam beams that support the roof. I used a structural roof support system called perlins. Perlins support the roof, not at the ridge but down lower on the rafter length which requires two beams instead just one ridge. In this case we were unable to use one ridge because the span was so great to size one ridge beam would have been impossible. The perlins were sized by my supplier's in house engineer. I often feel they over estimate the size of beams like this but if you factor in the cost an engineer charges to size the beam and sign off on the paperwork, the cost difference could be minimal. If the size of the larger beam is a problem then I would suggest getting an engineer to size it because they will likely be more accurate as to what is needed for your specific application.

A crane was used to set the perlin beams. The site is very tight, trees around the house and a narrow drive. There wasn't much room in front of the house to stage the crane and the beams on the truck but we are used to working in difficult circumstances so everyone works together to get the job done and making sure no one gets hurt.

Komara - Framing

The exterior stud walls and interior stud walls are going up and properly braced in case we get some heavy winds. The exterior walls are 2x6 studs with 1/2 osb sheathing. All window openings are in with proper headers. We build our headers by sandwiching (2)2x's with sheets of blue board or rigid insulation in the middle. That helps cold air from being able to transfer easily through a solid wood header.

09/14/2011

Recession Depression - Material problems

I just got off the phone with my building supplier/engineer, who is sizing some beams for the roof of one of my projects, and he informed me that because of the size of the beams that I need and the lack of production I might have problems getting the beam.  The beam is sold by the foot and they have one coming in that is 60' but I don't need 60' I only need 45'.  That means I would be paying for 15' that I don't need and the likelihood of getting the beam in size I need quickly is just not going to happen.  So, I have to be creative and come up with another alternative or my client will end up spending more money on some beam that they don't need.  I miss the days when you could get just about anything you wanted when you wanted it.  Today, a contractor has to be even more on top of the job to get things done on time and on budget.

Komara - Framing

Monday was Labor Day and Tuesday rained almost all day so this has been a short week at the Komara job.  Despite that the main floor framing is completed and by the end of the week, so is the main level back pressure treated deck.  Everything is looking clean and organized.

9/8/2011

9/8/2011