Winter Break

Once again, I have not posted in awhile. Rest assured, we have been busy trying to get the cabin done to a good point to leave it over the winter. Originally, we wanted to get the roof on, but that didn't happen. Instead we were able to get the Tongue & Groove on (this is the wood "paneling" that will be the visible ceiling). After the Tongue & Groove, you have a hidden set of rafters, insulation, plywood, and then the actual roof. We got all of the T&G up and then covered everything with a roof wrap that will, hopefully, keep it dry throughout the winter. We are very excited that for the most part it is covered. Obviously snow can still get in through the ends and the cracks, but with the way the wind blows we're hoping it won't be too bad. Here's the steps:

The rafters are 4" by 12" beams that are about 28 feet long. They are all stained the dark color which will also be the wall log color. We needed the crane to get them up.


Working on the rafters - Kenyon's dad has been a huge help


Looking up through the rafters


All 40 of the rafters are up


Kenyon with his rafters


Kenyon drilling the rafters into the ridge pole - we don't want them going anywhere


Next was the Tongue & Groove. We had to stain all of this. This was quite an experience and took forever. We did two coats of stain plus a topcoat. We started out staining up in the cul-de-sac using extra pieces of scaffolding as "racks". We fought rain and wind and finally snow. I am so glad it's over! In the end we had to start bringing it home and staining in our garage because it was too cold outside. I think our garage now has a Honey Timber tint. We used approximately 6,864 linear feet of 2"x6" T&G. If you're wondering how much that is - it's a lot, more than you ever want to have to do.

If you know us well, you know that we did everything mathematically. I had a lot of spreadsheets and lists to plan out the most efficient way to use the various lengths of T&G with the least amount of scrap - and keeping the "seams" at alternating rafters. The planning was crucial. It allowed Kenyon to just be on the roof and have everything preplanned so there was no stopping to consider what to do next. It also helped save money because it really was the most efficient usage of the T&G.

Kenyon's brother Spencer came to help. Of course, it started snowing.


Halfway up the first side of T&G. All the snow was making us very nervous, luckily this was the last snow storm for awhile. This was when I started to go up to help. Let's just say me up there, didn't work out. I wouldn't call it a fear of heights, more like a fear of falling 39 feet headfirst onto the cement floor.


While I was sitting watching Kenyon work up on the roof, I decided to take a picture of the snow, to show how crazy it was up there.


This is what it will look like when you're inside the house and looking up at the ceiling. This is the first thing we have done where it is a "final" look. After guessing at stain colors, we're really happy with it. The unstained logs in the picture will eventually be stained the dark brown color.


Another shot looking up at the ceiling. The open ends will get covered eventually.


Final work for the winter. We could not have done it without the help of our LHBA friend, David. The T&G is all up and it is covered with roof wrap. The roofing store guy assures us this will keep it dry all winter. Our fingers are crossed!