Today the east extension wall was up for siding.
This involved a different approach as loose soil, tree roots and steep inclines,
makes the use of ladders there unsafe.
So we engineered a platform to work from using the scaffolding and some heavy boards.
As you can see, we made it to just above the window today,
and will finish the top tomorrow.
Usually it’s not good when you get framed, but in this case it is a wonderful feeling; for the first time I have outer walls on all 6 ends,
and I closed the window openings with clear plastic, so I have an actual feeling of being indoors.
Here are some pictures taken showing how it looks now.
Well, frankly, it’s hardly a question when it comes to US homes; most have walls made from OSB (Oriented Strand Board).
My log walls obviously don’t require OSB, but the gable ends and extension does, so work has been done on those today;
As you can see, half of the western extension wall has been done, and almost all of the eastern Gable End.
The windows that were visible when stick framed are covered for now, so it is all protected from the elements.
Once the windows are to be put in, it’s easy to cut out the holes in the OSB.
You can also now see the little diagonal connection I made between the front and side decks.
When all OSB is in place, the only entrance will the the front door, so being able to access the main deck from the side decks became essential.
These famous words of John Hannibal Smith describe the feeling when I climbed the scaffolding on the deck I made;
Now I can reach almost anywhere without any problems. Well, almost… I kinda cheated as I placed the top half of the scaffolding from above,
as I was reluctant to climb up and hold the steel parts that make the scaffolding’s second level.
I’m fine with climbing on it, but assembling a heavy railing on top of the second floor is not fun for those of us with Vertigo.
Likely I will ask Dave to do the top ends of the gable end walls (The top triangles closest to the rooftop)
Or maybe I will manage standing on the lower scaffolding floor, I will see how safe I feel doing it.
That’s right, I had to stick up 25 8ft 2×4″-ers also know as stick framing. Basically, it’s a skeleton of 2 x 4’s on which OSB boards will be screwed.
So this wall is made of 200 ft (61 meter) 2×4 pine.
The framing is good old fashion hammer and nail work, although I used screws to keep the wall flush and still reposition-able.
I’m standing in the main bedroom, behind what will be a 36×48″ window.
The next layer will be OSB boards, then a moisture protection and finally cedar siding. That’s boards horizontally placed with an overlap of about 1/5″.
I’m getting introduced to more and more things that are typical for Texas; Today I had a up close encounter with a scorpion.
I check my shoes before I put m on, but this morning, at the B&B I put on socks I had put on the evening before after a much needed shower, and had put in my shoes overnight.
Scorpions must have a foot fetish as this one crawled into my sock. As I put the sock on I felt a sting, much like a wasp sting. Luckily scorpions aren’t lethal here, but it isn’t a nice feeling. The lesson here is; check everything you put on unless it comes from a closed environment like a suitcase or sealing cupboard.
These scorpions are small; about 2 inches and tend to crawl where it’s dry and warm. Personally I would not choose a worn sock, but I’m no scorpion.
Finally part of the actual home is becoming visible; the walls are almost finished. In case you wonder; there will be windows and doors, but this is how log homes are built; walls first and then the 4 trusses will go up. From my bank account I can clearly see these walls are not paid by Mexico. But at least it’s finally starting to take shape.
Having a Pier & Beam foundation has one little drawback; there is no default floor in-between the Piers.
Luckily, the builders have made a Deck , which is the basis for the final flooring.
So now from higher up it looks like this;
And from the side;
Or from the front;
I kinda like the way it looks; a lot better than a slab; imagine how much concrete would be needed to fill up all the space under the deck.
And of course, it is great storage place, for instance for logs for the fireplace.
No, not the Snap! song from 1990, but actual temporary power coming from the power pole on the lot 🙂
This is a shot showing the power line that runs from my pole to the one on the street.
In a closed box (opened on this picture) there are 4 sockets waiting for appliances.
Last week the work on the foundation has gone well, and the piers are now connected by Beams, hence the name Pier and Beam foundation.
