Well we apparently are moving at record speed and kicked it into high gear this week to finish ALL the wall framing and sheathing.
We started with the wall at the front of the trailer to get ourselves warmed up for the rest of the trailer, because that wall is the only one without any windows or doors. Super easy! And if it weren't for the wonderful YouTube videos of the channel "HouseImprovements" with Shannon to teach us everything we now know, we would probably not be finished so quickly. Shout-out to Shannon - who we now refer to in conversation casually, like we just spoke with him on the phone about how to connect two different framed wall sections together. Yes....we are building our house thanks to YouTube...I mean, Shannon.
For reference, the videos we found to be the most helpful for this phase of construction are the following:
So we realized that before doing all our framing we had to decide on which windows we were going to install, and where they would all go. We visited the local Material and Building Thrift store in Hailey and picked out four windows and a door (all salvaged/used) for $250 total. Can't beat that! The real challenge will be prepping those windows for re-installation. They are not in perfect condition and are missing the mounting flanges needed for...well... mounting.
After taking all the necessary measurements, and adding on a 1/2" here and a 1/2" there for error and insulation, we began to frame out our walls. We framed each end wall in one section. However, we framed each side wall in three sections, because it was just easier that way. It's much less stressful framing out one window per section instead of a window and a door, or two windows, etc, in one section. Turned out to work out perfectly and we only had one or two minor hiccups along the way.
One of those hiccups was not accounting for the 2x4 bottom plate on one of the wall sections, so that particular section ended up being 1 1/2" taller than the other wall sections. Ugh. So we took down that wall and cut and re-screwed and raised that baby back up to be flush with the rest of the walls. It was more mentally draining and annoying than it was time consuming.
After framing out the walls, we would apply wood glue to the whole section, place our OSB plywood on top of it, square it up, then screw in screws every 8" to make sure we had a secure adhesion. Then we measured where the windows or door were framed out behind the OSB, and took a Skilsaw and cut that section out. And voila! Ready to be raised.
Raising the walls was probably the most fun! Every time it fit in perfectly (LIKE A GLOVE!) and was pretty satisfying to see it sit so snuggly (made-up word) against the other walls.
For the walls that were put up first and had very little support besides the screws that were holding it to the floor, we screwed in temporary 2x4 braces to make sure it wouldn't rock or blow in the wind.
On Sunday, we pulled a 10 hour day working on finishing up the walls, and we finally screwed in the last piece of OSB around 8pm! Such a great feeling.
We are feeling a little burned out after devoting every free hour of time after work to this project, but it's been therapeutic in its own right. It's been fun to learn about the construction of a house, and be able to make decisions that will be integral to the process of this house coming to fruition - being able to see the fruits of our labor, if you will. However, we decided that we need to get back to doing some things that used to be part of our weekly routine (getting out into the woods/mountains for a trail run or a climb or a hike). This upcoming weekend we are going to try and spend at least a half day dedicated to getting some nature therapy and just enjoying the afternoon, instead of banging nails.
Phase 3 is putting up the roof, which we figure will take some time, but once that phase is complete we can breath a little easier. Once the house is weather proof we can take much more time doing the "inside stuff" and not feeling rushed to do so. Honestly, we have not felt rushed up until this point...just more anxious to get it all framed out. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but at least we won't have to worry about the monsoon season that Idaho is experiencing right now setting us back any more.
We started with the wall at the front of the trailer to get ourselves warmed up for the rest of the trailer, because that wall is the only one without any windows or doors. Super easy! And if it weren't for the wonderful YouTube videos of the channel "HouseImprovements" with Shannon to teach us everything we now know, we would probably not be finished so quickly. Shout-out to Shannon - who we now refer to in conversation casually, like we just spoke with him on the phone about how to connect two different framed wall sections together. Yes....we are building our house thanks to YouTube...I mean, Shannon.
For reference, the videos we found to be the most helpful for this phase of construction are the following:
How To Frame A Window And Door Opening
Wood Stud Wall Framing
So we realized that before doing all our framing we had to decide on which windows we were going to install, and where they would all go. We visited the local Material and Building Thrift store in Hailey and picked out four windows and a door (all salvaged/used) for $250 total. Can't beat that! The real challenge will be prepping those windows for re-installation. They are not in perfect condition and are missing the mounting flanges needed for...well... mounting.
Jon testing out the location of our composting toilet
Jon nailing together some framing
One of those hiccups was not accounting for the 2x4 bottom plate on one of the wall sections, so that particular section ended up being 1 1/2" taller than the other wall sections. Ugh. So we took down that wall and cut and re-screwed and raised that baby back up to be flush with the rest of the walls. It was more mentally draining and annoying than it was time consuming.
After framing out the walls, we would apply wood glue to the whole section, place our OSB plywood on top of it, square it up, then screw in screws every 8" to make sure we had a secure adhesion. Then we measured where the windows or door were framed out behind the OSB, and took a Skilsaw and cut that section out. And voila! Ready to be raised.
Framing out the second wall
Let the wall-raising begin
Raising a wall!
Raising another wall!
Aaaand another one
Jon looking out through the kitchen window
Making progress
My poor little finger got a boo boo!!!!!
Raising the walls was probably the most fun! Every time it fit in perfectly (LIKE A GLOVE!) and was pretty satisfying to see it sit so snuggly (made-up word) against the other walls.
For the walls that were put up first and had very little support besides the screws that were holding it to the floor, we screwed in temporary 2x4 braces to make sure it wouldn't rock or blow in the wind.
On Sunday, we pulled a 10 hour day working on finishing up the walls, and we finally screwed in the last piece of OSB around 8pm! Such a great feeling.
Sheathing with a pile of windows behind us
Final screws
We are feeling a little burned out after devoting every free hour of time after work to this project, but it's been therapeutic in its own right. It's been fun to learn about the construction of a house, and be able to make decisions that will be integral to the process of this house coming to fruition - being able to see the fruits of our labor, if you will. However, we decided that we need to get back to doing some things that used to be part of our weekly routine (getting out into the woods/mountains for a trail run or a climb or a hike). This upcoming weekend we are going to try and spend at least a half day dedicated to getting some nature therapy and just enjoying the afternoon, instead of banging nails.
Phase 3 is putting up the roof, which we figure will take some time, but once that phase is complete we can breath a little easier. Once the house is weather proof we can take much more time doing the "inside stuff" and not feeling rushed to do so. Honestly, we have not felt rushed up until this point...just more anxious to get it all framed out. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but at least we won't have to worry about the monsoon season that Idaho is experiencing right now setting us back any more.
She's a beaute
YAYAYAY! It is looking handsome! Nice work you two! Do you have a name for your tiny lad or lady yet? Now, get out and enjoy some nature - you deserve it!
ReplyDelete