Roof Framing is Nearly Complete

The last laminated ridge beam went in this weekend.  I had brought in a crane for this one because our material lifter didn't have the proper reach.  After my brother and I installed the ridge beam we continued to finish off the roof rafters and trim up the gable end sheeting and cut the windows and doors out.

This weekend we will finish the sheeting and tar paper the roof.

Front of Cabin Installed

This past weekend there were just two of us, Jason (my cousin) and I.  We got a lot accomplished in preparation for the roof completion.  We installed the hunter green garage doors first.  That gave us the ability to secure our tools inside and make the trips back and forth much lighter without having to drag all of our tools.

Next, we were feeling a bit ambitious and raised up the front gable wall.  This was supposed to be a task for next week with more people available but we felt we could do it.  Since the gable wall is so large we had to do some temporary bracing and supports to prevent the wall from breaking while we leaned it up on the house.  Once we stood it up we then re-positioned our hold on the wall and then raised it into place.  With very little side -to-side adjustments with our machine, it was critical to have it positioned perfectly.  After a couple of attempts we were able to put it in place and secure it to the side walls.  We then braced it from the inside.  I hope everything stays until next week.

Since we didn't have everybody available, we shifted to the sheeting on the roof.  The pitch is so steep that I had to work off a custom built platform and attached myself to a harness while putting down the sheets.  We left open all the areas where a full sheet would extend past the unfinished roof and we'll do that next week.  All in all, Jason and I got a lot accomplished....Next week, we plan on finishing the roof and hopefully get it felted.

Garage Doors are installed

Wall has been lifted...need to reset our lift point

It's finally in

Finished Sheeting the front, we'll trim it after the rafters go in.

Started the roof sheeting.

Roof Construction is Under Way

This past weekend we began the construction of the gable ends and the roof.  We first built the rear of the cabin where the loft would be connected.  After that we installed a 22' center column made of 4 2x6's.  Once we stabilized and braced the column, we began the installation of an 18" laminated ridge beam.  The beam we estimated to be about 1000lbs.  For that we brought in a material lifter to do the heavy lifting.  Since we don't do this as our normal job it took a little longer than expected and we only were able to install half of the roof.

Material Handler

Center Column Preparation

Center Column Being Set

Rear Gable End and Center Column Installed

Rear Ridge Beam Installed

Loading Rafter Material

Front Side Gable has Been Framed

View From Second Story Loft

Main Floor Stair Construction