Floor Trusses

Truss on truss on truss action.

The floor trusses have arrived. 

We don't quite have walls in place to put them on yet, but here they are. 

Mock-up: Window Opening

Window Mock-up - we decided to increase the steel fin projection 1" more than what is shown here.

Sometimes we test our design assumptions by making mock-ups.

If necessary, we might build a mockup as accurately as possible, using the actual materials and assembly.
Often, however, just a bit of cardboard and tape is sufficient to show you what you need to see.

This is a mockup of a window opening detail.  The cardboard is being held up against a window on our existing house, to help simulate the effect.

Rain Delays and Competing Projects

No one here today.

A few days of rain - strong enough to chase the guys off site - and a concurrent project means that the schedule is slipping. 

Framing is supposed to be ready for the first floor trusses tomorrow, but so far no walls are standing on the house.

First Wall Goes Up!

Going Vertical

The very first wood framed wall on the project has been stood into place. 

It is the east wall of the Garage.  The plywood sheathing was attached to the upper part of the wall so that they won't need to lift it into place on ladders later.

Framing for the main house is set to begin - the layout is complete and double-checked.

Framing is Underway

Stacks of beautiful material.

The lumber has arrived, and framing is underway.

Overheard on the Jobsite

"Plausible deniability is not a phrase you want to be hearing on your jobsite."

Appearances

Street View

It is certainly about time we show you the building's appearance.

(Click the images to enlarge.)

Dirt Everywhere

Dirt piles hide the deep trenches.  On the slab you can see the saw-cut control joints, and the blotchy drying out of the slab. (It won't look like that in the end).

The site was so neatly graded and clean for the 4th of July weekend.
Now it is CHAOS.

The decision was made to delay framing for the time being, and to get much of the remaining sub-grade piping into place.  This means trenches everywhere.

The Wettest Slab

Oooh! A dry spot! Get the hose!

Our neighbors probably think we have a screw loose.

We have been watering our concrete slab day and night for a week.

Overheard at the Job Site

"How was the futsal game last Friday?"
"...We got destroyed."

New Fence

East Fence & Retaining Wall

Lisa & I completed the new fence on our East property line this weekend.

Slab Happy

Reflection Pond

The concrete pour for the house slabs went down today.  Looking good!

Got a very early start to beat the heat.  Slab was down and set enough to spray with water before the heat arrived.