BARN PROJECT

[inveresk]

We're making progress with the first of our building projects, the barn. Framing should be complete by the end of next week when we'll begin the roof finish and fitting out.

This view is from the west. Under the dutch gable at this end is a covered area to house the sawmill. Next to it is a 500 sq. ft. workshop, then a double garage about the same size, at the far end are two horse stalls and a yard toilet with an office/guest suite above. Outside the horse stalls is another overhang that should allow the animals to be groomed under cover in bad weather.

 

[inveresk]

The posts and beams on the first floor and the three trusses and ridges on the second floor were milled on site from the Douglas Fir we felled to make way for the building. Biggest members are 4 x 14" ridges.

The roof is vaulted in the office/guest suite and the trusses exposed.

 

[inveresk]

I'd have liked to have had only two posts supporting the Dutch gable instead of 3 so I could load logs from this end but my sawmill couldn't manage logs in excess of 18 feet so three posts it had to be. I'll have to load long logs from the end and have an idea for a system of rollers in front of the mill to slide them along.

 

[inveresk]

Power is already in and the mains water connection is to be made next week. This was my first attempt at underground 1.5" polyethyelene and I have two shut off's and a union which are buried so I decided to defer running in gravel and finishing the landscaping until the water main is connected and tested. I haven't ruled out having to open up the ground again.

 

[RickS]

It should be beautiful when completed. Very nice plan. Keep the progress pictures coming.

 

[EddieWalker]

Looks great!!!

I'm lost on the second floor framing. The side walls looks shorter than the end one with the big opening. I don't understand how you will tie it together???

Eddie

 

[Egon]

You have been busy. That is one very nice looking building. Did you get an architech to draw up the plans??

Egon

 

[inveresk]

Nicely spotted, Eddie. The gable walls need to be amended to include the roof flare. We built them square knowing we'd need to angle the top corners later but I want to erect the rafters to give us a line to work to before we cut the studs. First rafters will be up Monday so we'll make the minor corrections needed then sheet.

I'll post more shots as and when we progress.

 

[inveresk]

Two steps forward and one back.

The good news is the two storey section now has the roof, insulation and vapour barrier complete and we're ready to begin drywall.

The bad news is that while I was away for a couple days the carpenter cut the opening for the right side skylight in the wrong position - 2 feet too far towards the far gable. It should have been central between trusses but is now way off line. The roofer started on this section of the roof day I returned and had already had it complete before I spotted it.

I marked the location of the skylights in huge felt pen on the soffit before I left but it was still put in the wrong position. Go figure. It's got to be changed but we'll return to fix it once the roofer has completed the remainder of the roof.

 

[Egon]

That looks very nice!

Were you able to watch the fires on Galiano?

 

[inveresk]

Here's the problem from the inside.

The far right rooflight should be centred between trusses like the other three in this area.

We have to trim trees to get a better ocean view from the gable window. We'll fell some, thin others but there's a chainsaw ban here - we're on high alert for forest fires. A neighbouring island, Galiano, lost 60 acres a few days ago. We watched from our foreshore as the water bomb planes belly scooped from the ocean then turned and skimmed tree tops on the farm on their way to the water drop.

 

[inveresk]

Hi, Egon. I posted the Galiano report before seeing your thread. The fire started in a gravel pit and spread quickly overnight because of the high winds. The place is dry as a tinder box. Crowds were gathered all along the shoreline where we live viewing the smoke and photographing the planes. A blessing that no homes were lost but 60 acres on a small island that is dependent on tourism is going to leave its mark.

 

[inveresk]

Some of the trees in the foreground need their sails trimmed. The trees are around 80 feet high, too far for me to climb but I've done a deal with a local forester who's going to spiral the tops in exchange for a couple cords logs. I've mountains of them on the lot and have ordered a Northern Tool pto log splitter which should arrive next week.

A week come Tuesday we're skidding the house up the hill 300 feet. I had hoped to have the barn habitable first but we're well short of that although I have power and should have somewhere fixed up for ablutions. We're going to try to have the house services temporarily connected same day we move it but there may be unforeseen problems.

I'll post some shots of the house move soon as I can get back online. We'll be down for a few days until the telecomms. company get us reconnected.