New House Build in WV

[TnWV]

Today pretty much went as planned. I got the porch roof ready for metal. It sure is a good feeling knowing that the roof will be on in a few days.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Metal roof was started today. They finished the garage and most of the front. I’m very happy with the look and how it’s turning out.

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They are waiting on me to finish the back porch, and will be back Tuesday to finish since it’s supposed to rain Monday. I finally made good progress today, getting most of the sheeting on the porch roof. Wasn’t fun getting it up there by myself, but I got it. Tractor helped but couldn’t reach all the way up. I angled the forks so I could grab the end of the board and pulled them up. I’ll finish tomorrow once the dew burns off. It’s going to be nice to get this part completed.

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Here’s a shot of the decking my wife picked out, I think it’s going to look great and can’t wait to see it all in place.

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Maybe if you're going to put a heavy BBQ or something on the porch, put a bit more support under it?

 

[TnWV]

My plan is to build a gas BBQ, plumbed into my natural gas, out side the basement under the porch. Until that happens, just a regular gas grill that will also sit outside the basement.

Now that the porch roof is done, other than the decking, I’ll be making the front porch and garage concrete my priority while waiting on windows, doors and siding to get here.

 

[joeyd]

I couldn't tell from the picture but are there spaces between your decking boards? Leaving a gap helps with expansion and water drainage and debris.

 

[TnWV]

I couldn't tell from the picture but are there spaces between your decking boards? Leaving a gap helps with expansion and water drainage and debris.

Deck boards aren’t install yet. We have a few laying up there just to see how they looked, but not fastened yet. I’m using the hidden clip fasteners that have the gap built in, so there will be gaps when complete. May get that started sometime this week.

 

[ovrszd]

Are those composite deck planks? Material other than wood?

 

[TnWV]

Are those composite deck planks? Material other than wood?

Yes, composite decking.

 

[ovrszd]

Not familiar with your weather. They are very, very slick in freezing Winter.

Awesome in the South where that's not a problem.

They sure look nice and seem to stay looking nice.

 

[EddieWalker]

I couldn't tell from the picture but are there spaces between your decking boards? Leaving a gap helps with expansion and water drainage and debris.

another huge benefit to the spacing between the boards is air flow. the area under a deck can hold a lot of moisture, and the only way to dry it out is air flow. Wind. I've been under decks that where closed off on the sides and the mold is overwhelming!!! In my opinion, you cannot have too much air flow under a deck.

 

[TnWV]

Not familiar with your weather. They are very, very slick in freezing Winter.

Awesome in the South where that's not a problem.

They sure look nice and seem to stay looking nice.

It can can pretty cold here in the winter and we usually get several snows mostly ranging from a dusting to 6”, with the occasional 15”+. The last couple of winters have been pretty mild, I’m sure that will change this year since I’m trying to get this house built!

Hopefully the roof keeps most of the snow and ice off of the deck, but I’m sure some will blow in.

 

[TnWV]

another huge benefit to the spacing between the boards is air flow. the area under a deck can hold a lot of moisture, and the only way to dry it out is air flow. Wind. I've been under decks that where closed off on the sides and the mold is overwhelming!!! In my opinion, you cannot have too much air flow under a deck.

Definitely agree as I have that issue under my front porch now. It’s closed off and even with gaps in the boards, it stays damp under there. Won’t be a problem on the new house since the back porch is over the daylight basement and the front porch will be concrete.

 

[coldsteelva]

Here is my 2 cents worth of experience with Trex deck: Due to the composite/plastic nature of the product, it can sag over large spans, but not necessarily due to impact weight. On a southern exposure with lots of sunlight, the heat will absorb into the darker colors and soften them, thus leading to sags. Also be warned that a dark color deck board in the direct sun will absorb a dangerous amount of heat and can cause burns BEFORE your feet can tell your brain to get the heck out of there. The third item involves both composite decking and vinyl siding: Low-E high reflectivity glass will create a 'death ray' as the sun moves across the sky - it will concentrate solar rays by reflection and soften, warp or melt plastic products. Low-E is great for windows and bad for everything in the way.

The last house I lived in was a rental in a subdivision. The houses were 20 feet apart. Neighbor house had low-E glass and the vinyl siding on our rental had warped/melted and was ruined by a single dining room window on the neighbor house. You could actually feel the heat while mowing between the two homes on a sunny day.

 

[TnWV]

Here is my 2 cents worth of experience with Trex deck: Due to the composite/plastic nature of the product, it can sag over large spans, but not necessarily due to impact weight. On a southern exposure with lots of sunlight, the heat will absorb into the darker colors and soften them, thus leading to sags. Also be warned that a dark color deck board in the direct sun will absorb a dangerous amount of heat and can cause burns BEFORE your feet can tell your brain to get the heck out of there. The third item involves both composite decking and vinyl siding: Low-E high reflectivity glass will create a 'death ray' as the sun moves across the sky - it will concentrate solar rays by reflection and soften, warp or melt plastic products. Low-E is great for windows and bad for everything in the way.

The last house I lived in was a rental in a subdivision. The houses were 20 feet apart. Neighbor house had low-E glass and the vinyl siding on our rental had warped/melted and was ruined by a single dining room window on the neighbor house. You could actually feel the heat while mowing between the two homes on a sunny day.

I guess there are pros and cons to everything. I don’t have any neighbors so my low-e windows should affect anyone.

A friend has had the same decking on an uncovered deck around his pool for a couple years. He hasn’t had any issues with burning feet or sagging. Hopefully being covered by a roof will help keep some of the direct sun light off my deck reducing how hot it gets.

 

[Code54]

If you are concerned with the decking - a lot of people go with 12" on center instead of 16" when putting down composite decking. Claims it takes care of any bowing issues.

 

[mred2]

Agree on the 12" on center. I also agree with spacing between the boards. My wife hated the gaps between the boards and I tried it. When it rained, the water would not run off fast enough. And I had about a 1" slop in the deck. Water would come up to the bottom of the doors. We now have spacing between the boards. As far as water under the deck. I have black plastic with about 3 inches of rock on top of it. It is also sloped a got bit for water to run out. I have a gray decking and never a problem with heat. But the old stuff did mildew.

 

[TnWV]

Roof was finished last week, definitely happy with how it turned out. Best part is, no more water in the house! Getting under roof is a huge accomplishment, but I can’t help to think of all the work still ahead.



I’m currently working on forming up the front porch for concrete that I hope to pour in about a week. Progress has been slow due to me nursing a bruised rib. Took a fall about 2 weeks ago that has slowed me down and certainly made me more careful.

Waiting on 40 more tons of fill for the garage, which should be the last of it. Getting ready for, and pouring, concrete will be the priority over the next couple weeks, got to get it done before winter really kicks in.

I’ve had to purchase some more lumber this past week, man are lumber prices crazy high right now. Budget taking a hit for sure.

 

[ovrszd]

My builder says when you start hanging sheetrock you are 60% done. This varies by how complex the inside of the structure is.

 

[TnWV]

My builder says when you start hanging sheetrock you are 60% done. This varies by how complex the inside of the structure is.

I’ve heard similar. I do believe the inside work will go a bit faster for me than what has already been done. I’ve done much more of the inside work and should be more efficient with my time not having to think through stuff as much.

 

[EddieWalker]

Your roof looks really nice!!!! Have you bought all your windows and doors already? For me, that's the next big step, being able to work inside without the wind blowing through the house.

 

[TnWV]

Thanks Eddie.

Yes windows and doors are ordered. Who knows when they will show up, lead times are insane. No one stocks any doors for 2x6 walls around here either, which is crazy as most new homes are built with 2x6 walls.

I’m hoping windows show up in about a week, but that’s likely optimistic. Craziest part is they are built a little over an hour away and I still can’t get them quicker.

In the mean time, I’ll get concrete poured and decking installed while waiting.