We had a few false starts, but we finally have walls. We started framing the first floor soon after the garage slab was completed, however we had to put things on hold while we waited for the various steel beams to be manufactured.
I must admit, I didn’t have an accurate appreciation for the amount of steel we were going to use in the house. There are 2 beams on the first floor, 1 that spans across the living room and another just in front of the kitchen. There are also 2 that will be used to cantilever the overhangs on the second story. We’ve got one extra, but I’m not entirely sure where it goes… I think it will run across the top of the living room, but I’d have to double check the structural drawings to be sure. Beyond the beams, we’re also expecting a number of columns that will be used throughout (I’m guessing they’ll be used to support the cantilever beams but again, I’m too sure at the moment).
The lumber company delivers each floor as an individual package, and I believe the second floor package will be arriving tomorrow. The guys are telling me that everything will be done in about 2.5 weeks from now, which seems tight but doable. So long as everything is done right, who am I to complain?
I also placed the window order last week, which covers everything but the front door and the clerestory. We haven’t made a decision on the door yet and we wanted to wait until the clerestory was framed before we ordered those windows (the large front window is a custom order, and we want to ensure it’s sized correctly). Apparently our order will be delivered in 2-3 weeks, so hopefully the timing will work out and they’ll arrive just as the framers are finishing up.
With the first floor is almost complete, it was quite satisfying to get in and walk around this afternoon. It was also quite satisfying to see just how large the windows and doors are going to be. I have a feeling we’ll be getting plenty of light in the house.
I snapped a few pics of the house this afternoon, which are available in the photo gallery
Are your framers going to put the blocking in for you? (for the towel bars, toilet roll holders, kitchen cabinets, built-ins etc). My framer didn’t and it wasn’t discovered until just before the drywall went in and I had to go around and do it myself. Some contractors put plywood right behind the wall where the kitchen cabinets are going instead of drywall as then you don’t have to searching for the studs and it provides a continous surface to which to screw the cabinets – just a thought.
Hi Scott – Good question about the blockings… I’m actually not too sure. I know they’ll be framing the supports for the tubs and whatnot, but I’m not too sure about towel bars, etc. As for plywood behind the cabinets—this is definitely something I want to pursue. The framers won’t be doing it (because we’ll obviously need to insulate beforehand, and they’ll be long gone at that point), but I’ll be sure to get our contractor to do it.
Is the weather going to be a factor? You’re still going to be framing by the time frost hits I would think. You don’t have a lot of margin for warpage or other ugliness.