Timber Framing!

Whoa! What a whirlwind couple of weeks. We were shooting to do the timber frame this last weekend, but we knew there was a great deal of prep work that had to be done before we could get to this. The schedule was hampered somewhat because the concrete was done later than we expected!

So, over the last week, we have hung the drainage panels (platon), put up 2" of extruded polystyrene insulation (Owens-Corning familiar 150), and backfilled. The plumbers have installed all of the sub-grade (under-slab) plumbing in the basement. The deck (re-claimed barn lumber for flooring, reclaimed schoolhouse joists for joists) has been installed, and the timber frame raised. The circus atmosphere was probably epitomized last week when Heidi and I were working outside with headlamps on the foundation until 11:30.

Anyway, all was done by Saturday in time to raise the timber frame. We corralled about 12 folks to help for the day, and put the timber frame up (see pictures below). What an awesome experience... I wish everyone could have seen that come together. Our timber framer (Mike Yaker) did such an awesome job putting the frame together. It was truly marvelous to see these gigantic pieces of wood coming together to make a house.

By yesterday afternoon, we were too exhausted to do anymore. We should get the rest of the frame (rafters and some other details) up by the end of the week.

So... on to the straw-clay walls. We're shooting for three weeks from now. In that time frame, we need to get our well drilled (this week?), get larsen trusses up, have the electrician run the conduit in the wall cavity for the straw-clay section. Should be do-able, but we will definitely continue with a tight schedule.

Here's hoping the weather cooperates!