One More Level

The framers have set about covering up their scaffolding. We gained another gable end and we think it's finally as tall as it's going to get. We are pleased at how things are taking shape.

Prep And Perspective

Framers were here Saturday prepping for work they will be doing during the week. They put up the beam that is between the great room and the kitchen, as well as another that is behind it in this picture.

All of the pictures posted of the loggia have been from above. This is what it looks like from the back yard and ground level. It will be covered with stone when it is finished.

To The Sky

Forms were removed today and we have a loggia. Some 'spackling' was done so I'm sure Josh will be explaining that to us. It looks good and adds a lot to that end of the house.

Framers built a very tall two level scaffold today so they can frame the main part of the roof. Phil gave it the engineering test by walking end to end on the top level and said 'it feels pretty good' so it passed and they are good to go. They may need to watch out for migrating geese however.

Plates, Fill and Respect

The loggia now has the plate bolted to the top but forms have not been removed yet. Garage has been filled in and compacted. The framers have framed the roof over our bedroom. Today we picked our interior doors and moulding as well as the entry doors. We fortunately toured a home recently that had similar finish materials to what we had selected. We took a lot of pictures in that house and they were very helpful today.

This is the framing for the roof over the bay windows in our bedroom. Some of these pieces have multiple angles cut from end to end and all have curves cut into the tops. This is craftsmanship that will be covered up when the house is finished but the end result is impossible without it. The framers are modest about their skill but I have great respect for what they are doing.

Lost Art

Roof is being framed in, an interesting process. There are no pre-made trusses and all material is being hand cut, a bit of a lost art in my mind. Wade says he'd rather do it this way so he knows it's right and he looks like he is genuinely enjoying doing it this way and using his skill. Tim from Precision Pump was also here today installing the pump and tank filling system. He will be back on Friday to finish that up. Forms were removed from the garage foundation but the loggia is not stripped yet. Tomorrow we will be picking out doors and molding. Obviously a lot going on.

It's A Jungle Out There

Concrete crew poured the loggia, the garage foundation and two mondo posts in back of the house. Eddie the formerly lonesome framer found a perch to survey the entire situation. I suppose he was also working up there.

Roof framing has begun and we gained another peak today. Ok, I know it's a gable end. All interior walls are up except for those on the garage end, and they have all been plumbed and braced. With all those braces the main floor looks like a jungle.

Shaping Up

Framers have most of the interior walls up and rooms are taking shape. It's more fun now instead of guessing the approximate location of things.

Concrete forms are finished for the loggia. I think this will be poured along with the garage foundation tomorrow. I'm anxious to see this without the forms.

Steppin' Down

The framers were here Saturday. We now have stairs coming down into the man cave. Diana got the wrap around steps at the bottom she wanted so she is happy.

This picture is more for fun than anything else. This is the view framed by our bedroom window. Those who have grown up here will recognize Trask Mountain nearly dead center in the window, one of my goals when we staked the house. It's a landmark that when I see it, I know I'm home. My Dad took us up there hunting when I was young and Leryl and I spent many memorable hours up there when we were in high school. Now if we could adjust some of the results of the takeover of Willamette Industries, maybe we could enjoy it again.

Better Perspective

The loggia forms continue to rise. It doesn't look like it will get poured on Monday but it's better to have it right even if it takes another day or two. Front walls are mostly up. It gives a good perspective of how things will look when it's complete. Framers will be back tomorrow to put more walls up and install the stairs. Access to the man cave will be much easier once they are installed.

Tied Down

Eddie the lonesome framer was busy today. Among other things he installed the tie downs. They will be back at full strength tomorrow and walls will start standing up again.

Concrete crew keeps building up the forms getting ready for a Monday pour. I keep calling this the screened porch but that will actually be on top of this concrete structure. This is the loggia. If you don't know what a loggia is, you can look it up just like I had to. We had a long conversation with Josh today on a host of issues but made progress on everything. Between Josh and I we made a decision on a door in the basement which was reversed in one sentence by Diana. Pretty much shows what we know.

One Crew, One Framer

This picture is just for fun as I commented in a previous post about excavation equipment always being parked on top of something. This pile of rock is about the highest thing left on the site as far as excavating goes, so it makes sense apparently that this was the spot picked to park the cat.

Concrete forms continue to grow for the screened porch. The forms to the right are a bit deceptive as they will actually pour posts, not a solid wall. They are getting closer. By the way, I said no framers would be here today and tomorrow and that's not totally true. Eddie, one of the framers, is working those two days even though everyone else is someplace else.

Getting Walled In

There was more concrete prep done today. The screened porch is starting to take shape. This part of the concrete work will be a challenge that will unfold as they build the forms up. I will keep posting pictures of this particular piece of the project.

Walls are up on the south and north ends of the upper floor. This picture is of the south end and these are our bedroom walls. The front walls are ready to put up but for today they are laying down on the floor. Actually they will be laying down for a couple of days as the framers won't be here Wednesday and Thursday.

Fill, Forms and Fun

The driveway received much more fill today. The dip that used to exist is now about leveled out.

Concrete guys were also here today and have most of the forms set up for the garage.

Upper walls are going up. The gable end which is actually on the back of the house gives a better perspective on how things are shaping up. Very exciting to see it grow. Screened porch will be to the left of the structure. This afternoon we also visited Lakeside Lumber. They have the best displays of siding, ceiling material and deck material in a host of finishes and styles. We also stopped at Milgard to look at their displays.

Upper Walls

The framers snapped out all the walls on the main floor today. They also started framing those walls now that they know where to set them up. Once these go up we'll get some pictures from a distance so you can see how all this sets up on our hillside. Diana spent two hours with Josh going over a variety of subjects (stairs, windows, porch sizes, etc). She also visited Milgard and Lakeside Lumber in Tualatin.

Sheets

Plywood sheeting has been put on by the framers all the way around the lower level. Now the downstairs rooms are well defined from the interior. The subflooring on the main floor has also been put down.

Meet the framers, Wade and Phil. They are doing a great job on our house. The decking can be seen behind them on the main floor. We walked around on it this evening and checked out the views from where windows will eventually be.

All Set

The rest of the floor joists were set today. Tomorrow they will lay down subflooring and we can walk on the upper floor. The excavator started on the driveway fill too. They are looking to set up foundation forms for the garage by the end of the week and things will start to look more complete.

What Trenches?

The excavator was busy today. All trenches have been filled in and we can now safely walk anywhere we want without breaking a leg. Well at least not from falling into a trench. Framers did not work a full day but they did get more of the floor joists set. It will be fun once the subflooring is put down and we can walk around on the main level. Today we spent a lot of time, a lot, at Morland Plumbing, BASCO, Western Pacific and a short stop at a flooring place. We did manage a meal at McTarnihan's though that was very good. We are also catching some rain showers that I hope don't stick around too long.

Beam Me Up

The support beam was put in today that replaces the wall in the basement. Floor joists are being placed also for the upper floor. The dirt is being put back in its rightful place as ditches are being filled in. It will look like a field again soon. Can't wait for the framing to start on the main floor.

Saturday?

The framers worked today. Yes they worked on Saturday. They finished all the walls except for the walls to the concrete wall in the foreground which will finish enclosing the man cave. There is also a beam that will span the area where a wall was supposed to be, but we removed, enlarging the man cave. They will start placing floor joists on Monday and then the framing for the main floor will begin. The water storage tank has been filling today and won't be full until sometime tomorrow. It hasn't been plumbed in yet but there's a temporary pump that's been installed. They need the water for fill work and compaction in front of the house they are going to do the first of the week.

A Lot

A lot went on today. Framers were here, heating guys were here and the water storage tank was delivered. Top photo shows the lines for the geothermal heat pump in the trench 6 wide for the full 800 feet. Interior walls in basement are being put up so we can now actually stand inside of the rooms. Storage tank is standing in the pole building. They of course deliver them on their side but with some help of some John Deere green, the delivery driver and I got it upright without damaging the tank or anything else in the building including us. Diana made another trip to see Sue to get a better idea of colors, tile and the like. We also spent another couple of hours looking at stone that is actually installed on homes. Amazing how different they all look compared to brochures or sample boards.

Over The Wall

Framers made it up the steps and to the top of the concrete wall. Interior walls in the basement are layed out and plates are in place. Even though they told Diana she could check plumb all she wanted, they did not leave their level on site when they left. There may be a message here. Tomorrow the storage tank for water will be set in place with a temporary pump that will be used during the fill and compaction in front of the house. Thanks to everyone for checking in. Don't forget you can leave a comment. I enjoy reading, and appreciate them.

Framing Up

They were back to trenching today for the geothermal system. I hope the excavator is not digging in what he thinks is a straight line. There is just a short distance to go for that monster trench to be complete.

Framers got enough up today to see how things are shaping up. Now we are better able to get a feel for the rooms on the lower level. Obviously there are many corners and angles they have to deal with. So far they are looking good.

The framers left a level on site and the 'foreman' put it to good use checking to make sure walls are plumb. So far she is satisfied with their work.

Number 1

The framers started today. Wall locations were snapped on the concrete and this is what they actually got built. It's our wall number one.

Something New

Some new material was delivered today.....framing lumber. Josh said he had to make a decision this morning as the delivery of material for the upper floor was 9 foot lengths instead of 10 foot lengths. His choice was to return it or change the ceiling height. He opted to return it and get the correct material. Gee, I wonder how he got that figured out so quickly. Framing will start tomorrow and at long last, trenches will start to be filled in. It will be much easier walking around once they have dirt back in them.

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with building a house but we did go camping at Odell Lake over the weekend. The whole family including those coming into our family were there.

We had a lot of fun and the break was great.