A timber frame cabin memoir

caver · Mar 26, 2024

I just got a quote from the lumber yard for Andersen windows 100 series(?) Just over 12K yikes. I knew it would be high but not that high. So I was thinking of removing the rear corner windows completely and then replacing the 2 center trapezoid windows with 2 standard opening windows. It saves me a few grand. Nobody will ever see the back of the house is it goes steeply up a hill. My other issue is he thought they could mate a trapezoid with an opening window. It sounds like what he thought they could do, they can't. The top half of the front of the house is the same but will leave it alone as everyone will see it and it's part of the house look. If I go the route I'm suggesting I will have two side by side windows I can open for natural air flow low to high. There is a loft floor in the upper 2/3's. I can open first floor windows on a nice day and get some ventilation.

ponytug · Mar 26, 2024

I think that you will be much happier with windows that open upstairs in back. Better air flow. I would go crank open for the same reason, twice the area.

All the best, Peter

Carl_NH · Mar 26, 2024

Agreed on replacing the back windows with standard units. Also, with Anderson, I found the big box stores will beat the lumber yards by a large margin especially if you get into the 400 series. Also have them quote the whole house exterior doors and windows for a better deal.

Anderson are 100-200-400 then A Series architectural windows. If you stick with standard sizes there isn't a huge delta in cost - its when you get into customs like you have/had it gets pricey very quickly .

So stick with one size/opening as much as possible as it really saves cost in framing, trim, screens, and all around much easier.

caver · Mar 27, 2024

Carl_NH said:
Agreed on replacing the back windows with standard units. Also, with Anderson, I found the big box stores will beat the lumber yards by a large margin especially if you get into the 400 series. Also have them quote the whole house exterior doors and windows for a better deal.

Anderson are 100-200-400 then A Series architectural windows. If you stick with standard sizes there isn't a huge delta in cost - its when you get into customs like you have/had it gets pricey very quickly .

So stick with one size/opening as much as possible as it really saves cost in framing, trim, screens, and all around much easier.

Small town lumber yard has beat the DIY stores like Advantech OSB for example but worth a shot.
I went to a bigger town to talk to Meeks lumber (chain). I thought he would quote the 3 exterior doors too but not sure why he didn't. Also the place where I got my OSB is closer (smaller town) and I recall he is an Andersen dealer. My dad always put Pella in the two homes my parents built. I've seen cheap windows like in the neighbors cabin i was renting until today. Latches seem wonky...plastic screen install tabs break off easily. The young guy at Meeks did say my sizes were standard so just frame it out to those dimensions. The only goof with my timber frame designer and the window guy was using a 38x48 all around but not accounting for bath/kitchen backsplashes.

caver · Mar 27, 2024

ponytug said:
I think that you will be much happier with windows that open upstairs in back. Better air flow. I would go crank open for the same reason, twice the area.

All the best, Peter

I like the crank out idea for the loft ones. I would have never thought of that.

ponytug · Mar 27, 2024

caver said:
I like the crank out idea for the loft ones. I would have never thought of that.

Years of living in non-AC homes! Having two stories, or more, can make a pretty strong chimney effect even if there isn't much wind.

All the best,

Peter

Carl_NH · Mar 28, 2024

Yes the devll's in the details - my neighbor/friend is a builder did a 1.2M build last year and the architect did the same thing in BR and kitchen so this seems to happen a lot!

Just frame it up and you will be fine - and I agree, a good window is worth the $ - Pella/Anderson etc. but dont overlook other good windows like Simonton etc. too.

Seems most basic windows are around $400 then go up from there. So if you have 20-25 windows in a house its 8-12K minimum.

caver · May 9, 2024

Last Thursday they started on the roof. I went with shingles after the initial standing seam guy flaked on me. The color is Chateau Green which is hard to see due to the washed out sky fighting my cell camera. First day was one guy on a ladder. Later that day we agreed on renting a telehandler since the lumber yard could not crane the shingles up. The truck kept sliding on the greasy clay. F$%^, more money to spend. The next day a helper showed up and they actually finished by about 6pm. The initial worker was the BIL of the business owner. Younger guys maybe 30's both originally from Ukraine. Both had just a hint of an accent. The boss man said he could get me a couple framers with a week or two heads up. I was looking forward to the framing initially but might push the easy button for part of the exterior walls. I have been focused on my current home de-hoarding and selling junk. I will sell it as a fixer upper. I should have done that years ago. My rental house (neighbor) well she came back home for a few weeks and is now renting it to someone else. Fine by me as it saves me about $1000 while I focus on other things.

caver · Oct 23, 2024

Not much progress on cabin this summer if at all. First wall put in between bents. Trying to fit something between bents that are not 100% perfect made me do a little trial fit. I then left out the window studs and toenailed/screwed all that into place. I want to seal off the basement and have talked to my lumber yard guy about ordering my two awning windows and the basement walkout door. Since it's a 10" wall he suggested opening outwards so the door can open beyond 90*. I guess I could put it on the inside but then I have more chance of heavy rain intrusion. There is nothing above this door in the future except a deck. Drawing was quick and dirty. I also thought about a screen door but should get adequate ventilation on nice days via the awning windows.