September 18, 2012 editor1 Construction, Framing

Bonus Room Framing

As G.N. Construction continues working on the roof decking and soffits, they are also continuing with the framing of the bonus room above the garage (in case you’ve forgotten, it is really the future home of the WWII Museum and Research Center). The progress is moving along well as we continue to complete small jobs around the house while they work. Most of the bracing from the interior of the house has been removed, so you can safely navigate without fear of head-bonking. Also, Oz finished building the water heater platform and has been working on the plans for the woodburning stove installation and chimney. We also bought paint to begin painting the soffits before the roof flashing is installed.

Additionally, we got our exterior door for the kitchen ordered, windows on order and have gotten word that our interior doors have arrived and are ready to be delivered. After the roof decking is in place, the roof will be wrapped with Titanium 30 to keep out future rain. That will be a very happy day! Here are a few photos showing current progress:

September 12, 2012 editor1 Construction, Framing

Pillars and Corbels

A short post with photos of the pillars and corbels that Oz is installing before they start the soffits:

We think the stain looks great… still have more to do — probably another coat on all the pillars and then the clear coat on top. We were trying to hurry to get as much done before the pillars and corbels were put into place as possible… but we didn’t want to delay the guys who are putting on the trusses, decking and soffits.

In case you are interested in stains, chinking materials, deck protectors, etc., check out Mountain Home Building Products — excellent service and fast delivery.

September 11, 2012 editor1 Construction, Framing

The Trusses and Decking Take Shape

As the work continues on setting the trusses, the shape of the house and how the roofline will look is becoming more clear. I was surprised that they were decking the portion of the roof that will have rafters above, but that provides extra stability and provides structure for setting those rafters. I took a few photos:

The work of setting trusses, decking the roof and framing the bonus room above the garage is being done by G.N. Construction, LLC. Freddy and his crew have been doing a great job here. You can contact them for work in the region by phone at (575) 914-0018 or (575) 420-3194.

September 11, 2012 editor1 Construction, Framing

Staining the Beams

We received our stain from Mountain Home Building Products very quickly and were able to get the beams stained on the ground before they were lifted into place. We like the look of them very much. We were very pleased with the stain and with the quick shipping. If you missed our post on choosing which stain to use, you can find it here.

September 7, 2012 editor1 Construction, Framing

Truss Setting Progress – Day Two

The first few photos are of the first truss being placed yesterday afternoon… After that, you can see the great progress that has been made since. It is a fairly complicated roof design, with a steep (8:12) pitch to the main part of the roof, and 10:12 over the garage, so we are very glad to have G.N. Construction, owned by Gaby and Freddy Nasarallah, doing the work for us.

North Side of House View - Before Stick-built tie-in

To contact Freddy about all types of construction projects in the Roswell, Ruidoso, Artesia, Carlsbad area, call them at: (575) 914-0018 or (575) 420-3194.

September 5, 2012 editor1 Construction, Framing

Setting Trusses – Work Begins

At a little after 3 pm the work is finally begun on setting trusses. I was amazed to see one of the framers walking around the top of the framing like a balance beam… quite a good balancing act. He was walking along the top plates marking truss locations. The wind has kicked up a bit and it would make me more than a little nervous.

September 5, 2012 editor1 Construction, Framing

Notching Beams – Back Porch

The last job we had planned in preparation for the framing crew was to get all the porch support beams notched and ready for installation. The framing contractor has a lift that will allow putting them in place easily, so having them fitted and ready for installation was the plan.

After laying them out in place, they were cut to size. At each joint, a pillar with corbels will be placed below. Using a circular saw to start the cuts, and a hand saw to finish them (due to the massive size of the beams, the blade couldn’t reach the complete depth), the job was done.

Closeup of joint between two beam sections

Beams laid on on the length of the back porch

Imagine these beams in place about 10 feet up...

September 4, 2012 editor1 Construction, Framing

Interior Beams and Posts in Place

While I was busy in town (haircuts, canning and lawn-mowing), Oz was able to get the interior beams and posts into place. He used a standard drill, the impact drill, hand saw, circular saw, scaffolding and our fondly named “T-Rex” modified engine lift. Again, it proved helpful in getting the beam lifted into place without back strain or injury. In preparation for the project, the beam was cut to size and then notched so that it fit into the interior framing. After the notch was prepared on each end, the beam was attached to the corbels using 10″ wood screws. Support framing was built to fit into the interior framing to support the beam.

T-Rex was then used to lift one side of the beam to the height of the scaffolding.

After the first side was set onto the scaffolding,

the other side was lifted into place into the wall. Support framing was put into place beneath it. The process was duplicated at the other end, again using T-Rex.

Once both ends of the beam were secure, the posts and their corbels were attached to the beam. Still to be done: drilling anchors for the posts into the concrete and covering the bolts with wooden dowels and sanding to match the surface.

September 2, 2012 editor1 fauna

Box Turtle Wanders onto the Homestead

As I walked out to admire the view from the family room windows this morning ( in my jammies), I spotted a creature plodding toward the back porch. After the family was alerted, the little guy was given a fresh drink of water by the pecan trees. We hope he will make a home here… and eat lots of bugs.

Wow! A running stream in the desert... paradise!

Unfortunately, he isn’t showing good judgment so far… after drinking deeply at the pecan tree spring, at last report he was near the southern boundary of the property. Perhaps he is searching for more members of his species…

September 2, 2012 editor1 Construction, Framing

Sheathing completed

Right on schedule, we finished up the last bit of sheathing that we can do before the roof trusses are set in place. With just a bit more internal bracing, we’ll be ready for the hired crew to put the trusses in place starting on Wednesday. We had hoped to have the trusses ready by Monday, but the truss company has been running behind due to high demand lately. The earliest they can have our trusses ready will be Tuesday afternoon.

Using cargo straps and the bumper of the dually, Oz was able to get all the walls pulled into plumb before placing sheathing on the framework. We are very happy with the nice, straight walls on the house. It is really taking shape. Here are a few photos of the progress: