Thanksgiving

Jim and Terry took a few days off for Thanksgiving and went off to visit family. I slogged away alone--albeit at a relaxed pace. One thing I did was to chop down a bunch of small cedar trees that were blocking the view of the lake. I followed that up by clearing a small trail that should allow Home Depot to deliver shingles onto the low end of the roof. Finally I finished the railing on the new deck and built three sturdy benches from left-over scraps of the 2x12 beams.

Cabin addition -- 11/22/2012

When I last posted, we had just finished installing the 4x4 crossbeams and the 1x6 pine car siding for the inside ceiling. That was far from being a weather-proof roof, as one long day of heavy rain displayed to my complete satisfaction. Fortunately, I had covered my tools and lumber with black plastic tarps so things survived the storm well.

During the past week or so we have completed a lot of work that isn't particularly visible in snapshots but that is of vital importance. First, we covered the entire roof deck with 1/2" foam panels--shiny side up to insulate the roof and reflect infrared heat from summer sunlight. The foam is held down by 1x4 spacers, spaced at 16" on center. Those in turn hold up the 5/8" OSB roof deck. And now that is covered with 30# felt, with a 19" overlap to provide double coverage. Only the shingles and fascia boards of the finished roof remain to be installed, but even as it is today, the roof should be impervious to the most sustained of rainfalls. . . . And given that the lake is nearing record low water, I very much hope that we get such a rainstorm soon!

Note the 1x4 spacers holding on the layer of foam
 

Here Terry and Jim are cutting the final strip of felt.

 

Packing up after a job well done

Cabin Building Update--11/11/12

Two weeks ago Jim, Terry, and I had just finished installing the sub-floor, as well as straightening and bracing the main posts. The next task was to install the 2x12 roof beams. In the first picture below, Terry and Jim are lifting the final beam into place while I bend down to retrieve the nail gun. The subsequent picture almost completely hides me as I shoot the nails into the lower end of that beam.

The next several days were spent putting up 4x4 cross beams and then nailing down the first of the car siding that will be exposed as the ceiling of the addition. Most of these tasks go somewhat slowly since each board has to be inspected for cleanliness, and many must be spot sanded or washed. In this kind of construction much of the finish work takes place during stages of construction that would be considered "rough" work in standard construction.

The picture below shows me trimming the square edge around the whole perimeter of the roof. Note the thick coating of saw dust on my jeans and arms.

Finally, the roof has been topped off! Terry is captured in this snapshot admiring the expanse of the roof decking. Even from the top of the roof it is an impressive sight. From below the exposed beams and knotty pine boards are truly beautiful--as least to one who loves the varied appearance of unstained and unpainted wood!

I conclude with a series of snapshots showing the current state of the construction site.