Broke ground for the house yesterday. Planning on closing in the basement this summer and then working as and when we can afford it on the rest.
Got a local firm to excavate and back fill the basement and spread the remaining fill on the drive way which needs building up. They were not the cheapest but the work is excellent - won't take much fine tuning to set the footing forms up.
Some pics
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/may14017.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/may14019.jpg)
The first scoop
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/may14025.jpg)
The hole
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/may14032.jpg)
Front frost wall hole
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/may14034.jpg)
Footing steps
We hope to set the forms in the next few weeks and have the footings poured before the end of June. (Summer Holidays!)
Cheers,
Al, Anita and Sammy
another house? ..... on the same lot?
Nice toy, Al. Congrats on the groundbreaking. :)
As you probably know, the cheapest is not always the cheapest when all is said and done. If the person you hired did a good job in good time then you likely still got a good deal.
Looking forward to updates as you progress.
You guys don't waste any time...is the paint even dry in your other house yet? :)
Looking forward to following along with your progress with this house too. I just hope I can get one house completely done before you get two done. d*
So as I told in the 12x24 thread, I put out a disc a while ago and the building has been on a back burner as a result of it. I guess the neighbours heard about it since last weekend they sent their kids around to see if they could help. Good of these young fellers to help an old timer out ...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/002.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/006.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august3rd015.jpg)
they did pretty well too! Dead on square and only 1/8th of an inch for level! (Hope it stays that way with a few cubes of concrete in it!)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August4th008.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August4th014.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August4th011.jpg)
The inspector gave us the nod this morning so it's time to get out my pencil and figure out just how much grey stuff to put in there!
Al, Anita and Sammy
Just crunched the numbers and came up with 9.55 yards to fill the stepped footing. I've ordered 10 yards for Saturday and will make some forms for pavers in case there's a load left. I'd be interested to hear how much concrete others used for equivalent footings (mine are 24"x10" stepped for a walkout basement.
Cheers,
Al
That is great, Al... good neighbors too. Take it easy on the back.
The walk out basement looks like I may not be seeing everything... more digging later or built out a ways?
Glenn,
It should be something like these other country planners are doing in NH
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=9045.msg119593;topicseen#msg119593 (http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=9045.msg119593;topicseen#msg119593)
We are planning on an 8ft concrete wall at the back stepping down to a 4ft frost wall at the front. The front wall will be stick framed above this.
Does this make sense?
Al
Yes, I got it now. Thanks, Al.
Looks like a good plan. I'm not used to all of the cold weather stuff. :)
Poured the footings this morning. Same young fellers came out to help. I guess their mothers probably sent them over.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/073.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/076.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/081.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/134.jpg)
Was enough left over for some pavers and a new path for the shed.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/094.jpg)
The little one was hanging around the whole time...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/125.jpg)
Quote from: Alasdair on August 05, 2010, 11:23:41 AM
Just crunched the numbers and came up with 9.55 yards to fill the stepped footing. I've ordered 10 yards for Saturday and will make some forms for pavers in case there's a load left. I'd be interested to hear how much concrete others used for equivalent footings (mine are 24"x10" stepped for a walkout basement.
Cheers,
Al
Yep 10 yards is what I ordered . I ended up with over a yard left over. If I remember right I think that was the same amount of concrete fror the basement slab as well
Your footers are a work of art compared to mine.
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=6576.0
Why no rebar inserted into the wet concrete for the block? Must be planning on drilling the footers for them ?
Looks like you didn't even lose a form, Al. Good job.
That looks like fun...... got a spare chair so I could come and hang out a while? ...[waiting}
Glenn, you can come and hang out anytime we already have a hang out for grown ups...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/sammy/NSRoughBouinds046.jpg)
Osprey, Just looked at your thread (We have had no internet connection for a loong time so I am way behind on everybody elses projects.) Great job! :) Love the ceiling. Our plan is very similar to yours so I will be looking closely at your pictures.
The reason there are no bars sticking up is that we are going to pour the walls rather than build them with block. We looked at all options and decided in the end it was worth the extra cost. Also it is the standard round here so the inspectors get to stay in their comfort zone.
There is a keyway in the top of the footing to secure the wall.
Next week I will ring around for quotes and decide wheter we will sub out the walls, (my prefered option) rent forms and pour them ourselves, or build and recycle the forms as well ... :P
That explains why no rebar. So the walls will just sit on top of the footers, no bolts or other physical connection except the "key" left after the wood is removed from the footer? Interesting, can't wait to see the finished walls.
My block walls have 1/2 inch rebar in every other hole. We poured the blocks solid with concrete.
My father in law helped me take the forms off today - looks pretty good a little bit of honey combing in a couple of places but nothing to write home about. I didn't have the energy left to take the pavers out of their forms. Planted a tree instead :D
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/001.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/003.jpg)
see what I can get in the way of quotes for the walls tomorrow...
Thanks Al. Too bad you are on the other side of the world or I would drop in soon.
That's good for you though. The current occupant of the hang out looks so much better than I do. [ouch] :)
The footings look good.
Some pictures of the wall forms going up. Raining today so we decided to try and pour them on Monday afternoon.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August21st003.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August21st010.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August21st004.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August21st009.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August21st013.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August21st014.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August21st015.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August21st022.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/August21st020.jpg)
Poured yesterday afternoon and all seems to have gone well. A couple of exciting moments but nothing insurmountable.
Forms braced and ready for pouring
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august24th011.jpg)
Anita making paver forms
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august24th014.jpg)
The moment of truth.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august24th021.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august24th016.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august24th027.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august24th025.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august24th026.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august24th023.jpg)
I'm going to take a day off and start to strip the forms tommorow
Al
Good Job, Al. Forms are still vertical and I don't see any massive blowouts. :)
Congrats, the feeling at the end of pour day is a good one. Now on to the stuff we all know you've been looking forward to.
Finally got the forms off.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august29003.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august29008.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august29007.jpg)
Seems like my fashion sense is catching on too...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august29002.jpg)
A nice job on the foundation! The most important part of a new home is a solid foundation and your off to a great start.
sourdo
Nice looking basement. That should be around for awhile!
Looks great, Al. The fashion sense... the only place the suspenders like your partners would do me any good would be to hold my pants up, and I just don't do suspenders.... the ladies will just have to suffer..... [waiting]
oh yeah - and I don't have a back problem either so the brace would only be to make me look tough... I'm tough enough looking already though... :)
Looks nice, sort of odd to soldier the from panels , never seen it done that way? Doesn't make it wrong , no , just different I guess ???
I'd just rather not see a form line every two feet for the rest of the foundations life. Generally the top panel is a full two feet wide, and most , if not all, of that top seam line is buried so you only see a form line every 8 feet or at foundation step downs/ ups.
Concrete is supposed to be ugly, PEG... It's concrete :)
Al hope you weathered the storm OK.
For sure on that...
...and Al -- I really think your wall looks great --- I just had to give PEG a bad time.
Here are a few update pics ...
Back filling
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/November12th121.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/oct28064.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/November12th150.jpg)
We got some other work done whilst the machine was here
A pond
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/oct28081.jpg)
and some work on the driveway
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/oct28094.jpg)
Sammy had his first Halloween
Tough Tiger
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/November12th171.jpg)
Maybe not...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/November12th172.jpg)
We got the floor poured and polished
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/november23rd005.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/november23rd008.jpg)
And last weekend got some bits of kit up
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/november23rd037.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/november23rd039.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/november23rd045.jpg)
We also got the paper on and door and windows in but I finished with the camera by then as it was snowing.
Next weekend we should have some joists to put a flat roof on it for the rest of the winter.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/november23rd044.jpg)
All the best for now
Al, Anita and Sammy
Thanks for the update, Al, Anita and Sammy. Things are looking great up there in the great white north.
Are you going to tarp it? I have a link to used billboard tarps - I will post it here in case you don't already have it covered.
http://www.billboardtarps.com/collections/tarps
While they are dirt cheap the shipping is about the same price as the tarp due to the weight. They are like reinforced PVC pond liner in 20 mil or about 11 or 12 mil I think. (2 weights)
I'm pretty sure you already have a plan but thought I would throw that in there just in case. :)
On another note.... I have been concerned about privacy matters and getting through the TSA if I have to travel.
I understand that the true Scots have a solution for me. Do you think I would look good in a Kilt? ........... [waiting]
Glenn,
I'm just going to put a flat roof on it for the winter - just waiting on the osb Joists to arrive.
As to the kilt and customs and immigration - I did once get frisked whilst wearing it -
....Decided I'd better censor myself here! The gag was harmless but perhaps too risque for a teacher to have on line ...
Al
Dec 3rd
Ah the old gags still make me laugh ...
Like... stop it , you're killing me....... [ouch]
rofl [rofl2]
Good one Al... :)
Some progress pics from today. Wild, wet and windy ::) but at least no white stuff.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/dec4th024.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/dec4th023.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/dec4th025.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/dec4th026.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/dec4th022.jpg)
I'm going to wait until the wind dies down before I try and get any plastic on top. It would be pointless trying just now! Once I do I'll put a space heater in for a couple of days and dry the tools and interior out really well - It was so wet today that in the end I gave up trying to keep the tools dry. If some of the pics look a little odd it's because the "roof" is six inches higher at the back - makes some of them look kind of wonky.
That's gruesome weather, Al.
I censor myself all of the time - but at least I have been able to tell others of your experience.... [ouch]
Lol! It was grusome indeed Glenn! :)
The wind had eased off this morning so we got the plastic on. Hope it does the trick - We're going to try and get it all dried out now before the big freeze comes and we have to chip ice out to work like Bish. did.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/dec5th009.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/dec5th010.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/dec5th008.jpg)
I'm still undecided whether to put battens across the plastic to hold it down. The wind can't get under it and we managed to get it on with only one small puncture. So on the one hand I am loathe to nail through it and make more holes - on the other I have seen the wind "suck" much heavier plastic right off polytunnels.
I think I'll wait and see how it behaves on the next windy day and be standing by with battens and nail gun just in case ...
Sounds like a plan, Al. Possibly it will snow first and hold it down. [ouch]
You can probably place the battens on top and not nail them.
I did that last winter and it was all as I left it when I came back in the spring.
On the side where you nailed the batten to hold the plastic down you may need to keep an eye on it.
I had about 5 gallons of water trapped under the plastic at that point. It started to grow a nice crop of mold around the batten.
Looks like a nice job on getting your foundation in and framing started
Well wouldn't you know it - first night and we get 140 km/h winds just up the coast and one of the worst nights since I've been here! >:(
I had decided to nail the battens on anyway, thinking that if I was on a boat I would have just done it when I thought of it rather than wait and see.
The plastic held OK but one of the battens got popped off and the nails ripped the sheet! I'm just back from taping it back together "Red Green" style in the dark. d*
Still, I reckon if it survived the night with only that damage it should hold up for the rest of the winter - there will likely be a few small holes I didn't notice but hopefully it will still keep the worst of the weather out.
I stepped on snow on our plastic this morning...weee! High tech bananna peel. Ours usually gets whipped apart pretty quick. Our winters aren't as bad though, we usually try to keep plugging. I did bury in a drift at the foot of the mountain this morning. Really don't look forward to hiking up 1/4 mile tomorrow with a compressor d*
Not sure how much play this got, Mike Cross used to play at a nearby hole in the wall years ago.
http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/thescots.htm
Al had you considered Advantec for your subfloor then cover. It by itself would have probably repelled 95% + of any water or snow laying on top.
Very nice basement walls Al. I hope mine turn out half as nice.
Red,
I am big fan of Advantec, it sheds water like no other flooring. I am going to break ground this coming spring on my cabin and was thinking of using 3/4" Advantec for forming the basement walls, then take right up on the subfloor. Have you ever know anyone to do this?
Larry
Quote from: ldrobinett on December 07, 2010, 03:41:50 PM
....Advantec for forming the basement walls, then take right up on the subfloor. Have you ever know anyone to do this?
Just exactly what do you mean by "forming basement walls"? What sort of construction?
My apologies for the brief question, I did not want to take over Al's forum with a lot of questions on my own project.
I am planning to build a 26x38 formed log cabin over a full daylight basement. I have already made the hillside cut and leveled the pad and will dig for the footers in spring. Then I plan to construct concrete forms for 8' x 10" full perimeter basement walls to place the sub-floor and start the log construction from. There will openings for a roll-up garage door, 2 walk-through doors, and a couple of window openings that need to be placed as well.
I was just wondering if anyone had built their own foundation wall forms using Advantec T&G and dimensional reinforcement.
I guess it is possible but I wouldn't guarantee the condition after using for concrete forms. Form will necessiate alot of fastening therefore there will be a great amount of extra holes not to mention the surface area condition. If you go this route I would use some type of lubricant to make sure that the concrete will not adhere and release. Also you may need to buy a couple extra pieces if the Sq Ft is about the same in the forms as the subfloor as always you will need to cut some sheets to make your demensions work. You might look into using styrofoam forms that you could erect yourself.
Oh, now I get it! d*
We have had a slow start to the summer with regards to our build as we made some changes to our plans which slowed us down initially but should mean we ultimately finish sooner.
We decided to put just a half storey on our basement and to put several gable dormers in it. Any more would simply not fit in the landscape. As we have lived here now for a couple of winters we also know the winds and storms we can get here and will be happier being a little lower!
We had decided a while ago to put a hybrid post and beam section as part of the floor system. We got the specs from the George Nash book: http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/articles/building-a-timbered-ceiling.aspx?ac=ts&ra=fp (http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/articles/building-a-timbered-ceiling.aspx?ac=ts&ra=fp)
So here are our progress pics ...
planing up the joists
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july21031.jpg)
note the cutting edge Canadian technology ...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july21033.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july24th011.jpg)
fitting the joints
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july21061-1.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july21055.jpg)
the kit ready to go
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july21051.jpg)
putting it all together
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july24th026.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july24th028.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july24th032.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july24th039.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july24th044.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july24th045.jpg)
Started training up the wee man as my assistant too...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july24th025.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/july24th014.jpg)
He's coming along nicely!
Well we got a bit more done.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/July27th002.jpg)
Wouldn't you know it - ran out of glue at the last corner!
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/July27th012.jpg)
The countryplans jig...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/July27th014.jpg)
The view inside
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/July27th013.jpg)
managed to get some plastic on top to keep out the worst of the weather 'til we are dried in. This was no mean feat as it was pretty windy today!
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/July27th016.jpg)
Onto walls tomorrow...
Great Beginning. [cool]
Most awesome. [cool]
love those beams !
Very darn cool, Al. [ouch]
Whats the little fella doing up working already?..... seems it was just days ago he looked like a watermelon..... :)
really nice build
[cool] [cool]
Got the walls up this morning and took the afternoon off - bushed!
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/july28th005.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/july28th006.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/july28th007.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/july28th009.jpg)
I will start building the trusses tomorrow
Finished the trusses today. We are going to swing them up tomorrow weather permitting.
Getting the kit together
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/july31st004.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/july31st001.jpg)
made one and used it as a pattern for all the others
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/july31st003.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/july31st002.jpg)
Yay! trusses are up with lots of help from friends and family.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august1st001.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august1st020.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august1st025.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august1st026.jpg)
Start framing the gable dormers tomorrow.
Nice work! Did you or an engineer design the trusses? just curious, looks like a good design either way!
Won't belong now until you are in the dry. [cool]
Look at them go. Nice work.
I was just pricing land at Cape Brenton Island. There's some good prices there on land and much of it quite remote. We were thinking of purchasing some land there and building a cabin. It would make a great summer getaway.
Your build looks great. Keep posting pictures when you get time.
More or less finished the framing for the shell now. Will try to finish the sheathing tomorrow. Gable dormers involved quite a bit of head scratching but we got them done and in the end they came together nicely. Progress pics ...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august6th012.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august6th011.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august6th010.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august6th006.jpg)
Those pics must have been taken right at dusk? Well I think I've gotten the family about convinced to buy some land up there in your neck of the woods. I am thinking that 2012 will be the year that we do it. Those dormers are surely difficult to construct. I hope all goes well on Sunday....
Weasel...
Alasdair yes the dormers take a little time to figure and build but they are well worth the effort. In addition to amount of light they produce there is actually a little more space (straight wall) in the bays that would otherwise be a slanted ceiling. Nice job. You will be in the dry before you know it.
Very nice, Al.
Great stuff! Just found/read your thread.
Did you really say 160km/h winds? thats wicked.
What did you end up doing with the I-Joists you had on for the winter?
Thanks all for the comments,
We got about 1/2 the sheathing on today and will pick away at the rest of it this coming week.
Duncanshannon - there were 140kph winds this winter past, 160 would not surprise me! The I beams are currently redundant but will be used in an extension in the next couple of years.
Nathan - the trusses are modified versions of the ones in John's plans.
Weasel- be sure to PM me if you find some land you are interested in - MLS and Kijiji are two good places to start looking,
Al
Cool, thanks for the tip...
I slacked off a little the last weeks as the weather was poor and I was getting very close to being burnt out. Fortunately the weather and enthusiasm picked up just as we had some more family visitors and we are making progress again...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august18th008.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august18th007.jpg)
The scaffolding on the gable ends has been interesting!
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august18th011.jpg)
The current state of play - waiting for quotes on the steel for the roof.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/august18th009.jpg)
Looking good!!!!
looks very nice. Yes the sloped sides of these walkouts can be very interesting, I know exactly how you feel.
Really like the dormers - gives the whole house so much style!
Any updates Al?
Well they say there's only two seasons in Nova Scotia, winter and construction. It's back to construction season for us! School finished yesterday, I took my holiday today and tomorrow it's back to hammer swinging.
Here are some pics of where we got to last summer and a few family updates...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/HouseJune30th001.jpg)
Front
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/HouseJune30th007.jpg)
Back
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/HouseJune30th003.jpg)
Basement
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/HouseJune30th008.jpg)
Main floor
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/HouseJune30th009.jpg)
Cabin
We house sat for folks in the winter - the cabin is a little tight when you can't get out side so much. The push is on now to get into the house asap as there have been a few more additions ...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/june302012001.jpg)
Nancy 5mths old
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/june302012007.jpg)
Four of us in the 12x24 is getting pretty tight!
the other additions had to stay outside...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/HouseJune30th010.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/HouseJune30th013.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/HouseJune30th011.jpg)
I'm sooo out of shape the next week is going to be hard going - but it will be good to get back into the swing of it.
Al
Good to hear from you & congratulations on the new addition - beautiful daughter! Nice outside additions as well! Keep us posted on your progress :)
Thanks for the update, Al. Cool additions... and the instant daughter... one minute I look and she's not there.. next posting... there she is. [noidea'
Cool trick. :)
I cannot believe I have missed this thread ... very awesome in quite a few different ways. [cool] [cool]
[cool]
Its really cool that 4' knee wall design you went with the upper floor. You even put a door with the great placement of those dormers,! The Post is beam stuff is also really great. I thought I also saw the floor finished in one of those pics? Damn..its looks like outerspace on the floor.. so cool..
Great build so far... It will be fun watching it evolve..
Glenn and Sassy - we found the instant daughter under a gooseberry bush. We figure the stork must have dropped her. She is kind of cute and doesn't eat much so we decided to keep her.
Speedfunk - the spacefloor idea came from C.White's thread:
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2991.0 (http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2991.0)
Concrete dye with epoxy finish - we were pretty pleased with the results.
looking good, but you've really been slacking on the updates ! ;D
Gooseberry bush. .....I should have known. My dad said they found me under a cow flop but he was probably just wanting to make me feel bad... at least you got a cute little daughter. :)
I think this is a brilliant idea! Would you mind sharing your floorplan for both floors? I can't wait to see the pictures of the inside. Wow! We've really been struggling with just the right design for a house and also price and I think this is so cute. I love that it looks like a cottage too.
Thanks for sharing this.
Wow Al, when you guys do additions, you really go all out :)
She is beautiful !!! Congrats!
Thanks Mtnman,
:)
Redbird,
Sorry we don't really have any floorplans to post. There are plans of course but our current plan is so different to the one we started with it is unrecognisable! The build is evolving! Here is our recent progress...
Starting to get some metal on the roof.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/July14th020.jpg)
It was so hot doing the roof I moved inside for a while - Stairs...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/July14th021.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/July14th024.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/July14th025.jpg)
Children...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/July14th018.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/July14th001.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/July14th012.jpg)
The battery we use for the electric fence was getting it's two weekly top up... Here was my breakfast call to say it was time to reconnect it again!
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/July14th014.jpg)
Some progress pics.
The roof
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th023.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th038.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th039.jpg)
I still have to get the south side on but I am going to wait until it cools down a bit!
Interior walls
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th040.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th042.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th043.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th045.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th048.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th049.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th050.jpg)
Just started the siding today - I got the A team in to help me...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th033.jpg)
Good job the Health and safety inspector was not here to check out our scafolding!
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th051.jpg)
Caught this little tree creeper flying round the house - I was able to pick him up right off one of the studs - I guess he thought he was pretty well camoflaged.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August5th010.jpg)
Great progress! I like seeing others living on the work sites - especially with little kiddos. It can be challenging! We often have a 1/2 naked boy running around too. ;D
Just finished the siding on the West wall and hung the chimberly. Need to get some more boards for the other 3 sides!
Off to help a neighbour with his barn the next couple of days - I aim to finish the roof the start of next week.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August10th014.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August10th018.jpg)
Drainl - It sure can be challenging with little ones around. They are so keen to help but you can't really get on with anything when they do! The whole building site is a playground as far as our little feller is concerned. You can't take your eyes off him for a second - he is convinced all the tools are Papa's toys! I am just thankful I have a great wife who takes on practically all the child rearing responsiblities at the minute which allows me to get on with building.
The roof is on. :)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August16th020.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August16th026.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August16th024.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August16th025.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/August16th028.jpg)
That is one good looking roof [cool]
Finally have the boards on the outside. Just some window trim and battens left.
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/005.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/006.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/007.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/003.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/004.jpg)
Wow, you guys have done a fantastic job!
Wow... really looking great, Al and crew. :)
Just out of curiousity, Al... what do you consider a hot day there?........ [noidea'
That siding looks so georgous! Contrasts so nicely with the roof.
We have heat...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/007_zpsb7746374.jpg)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/20x30/20%20x%2030%202012/006_zpsb206028b.jpg)
Glenn - I consider it warm when I can be outside in short sleeves. We usually get a few weeks in July that are unpleasantly hot and humid - high 20's to 30's centigrade (we are metric!) this year it was all July and August! But temperature is all relative :) I knew I was turning native a couple of winters ago when I went outside after a particularly cold snap and thought it felt warm at -5C!
[cool]/ Might find you a old piece of tin to temporarily put against the wall for now.
John,
I will, for sure, make a little surround with slate or something similar, but you can rest assured for now that all the spaces around the stove exceed by several inches the minimum distance to combustibles required by the CSA even if it doesn't look like it in the photos! The stove also features it's own heat shields - We have too much time and money invested to see it all go up in smoke!
Al
Hey where are you in Cape Breton? I am from Margaree, where we have 50 acres, but I live in the Toronto area and am thinking of building a small cabin up near Muskoka - though ultimately I will move home and retire in Margaree once my parents have moved on.
Rodney MacDonald
Whitby
Hello all - we are still plodding along with our build although I have not been posting pictures. (Life was just a bit too busy the last while.)
We are now half way through our summer "holiday" and are ready for drywall!
Progress pics -
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/July2013029.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/July2013029.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/July2013028.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/July2013028.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/July2013030.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/July2013030.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/July2013031.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/July2013031.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/July2013034.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/July2013034.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/July2013036.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/July2013036.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/July2013042.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/July2013042.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/July2013043.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/July2013043.jpg.html)
Cheers,
Al
I love it! Fantastic job.
What was the siding you used? I missed that part.. Looks great.
This is kind of an after the fact type post BUT when we built our firstday we ran the purlins horizontally like you did (which I understand b/c of final siding you had to run it that way). We found that mice seemed to like running along the purlins/stickers . this issue was compounded by the fact we had foam insulation on the outside of walls which you DO NOT. So much less chance of damage...just thought it was something I would share. The place looks great...I really like how you used the berm to create two "first floors" ..very cool!!! [cool]
Pakolea, the siding is "batt and board" local pine, sawn on my neighbours mill and stained.
Speedfunk, the mice love the "highways" on the cabin too. In the fall I set traps and we catch a bunch - I still sometimes hear them at night but they don't bother me much. We has some bats last year too but I haven't seen any this summer so I fear they have been wiped out by the white nose epidemic. We don't mind a few critters around it's all part of living in the sticks.
Anyroad up, we got some plasterboard up...
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/august11th2013013.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/august11th2013013.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/august11th2013014.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/august11th2013014.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/august11th2013016.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/august11th2013016.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/august11th2013022.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/august11th2013022.jpg.html)
There's still a lot of work to do but it is starting to feel like the end is in sight...
The end is nigh!
Plumbing is finished
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/April2014050.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/countryplans/April2014050.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/April2014047.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/countryplans/April2014047.jpg.html)
Downstairs still needs trim
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/April2014042.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/countryplans/April2014042.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/April2014041.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/countryplans/April2014041.jpg.html)
but upstairs is nearly ready
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/April2014034.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/countryplans/April2014034.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/April2014031.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/countryplans/April2014031.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/April2014030.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/countryplans/April2014030.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/April2014028.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/countryplans/April2014028.jpg.html)
(https://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alianita/countryplans/April2014026.jpg) (https://s256.photobucket.com/user/alianita/media/countryplans/April2014026.jpg.html)
looks beautiful...the colors are great!!! what a cool little place u have built.
What did you pay for the beam kit? I was planning to do similar but the cost became prohibitive.
BTW, your house is looking fantastic.
Thought I'd just post this Ad link here as we are looking to sell our country plans 20x30 and 12X24 - We love the property, the area, the neighbors and the build but we decided to move closer to school and work.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-house-for-sale/cape-breton/house-cabin-and-land/1396692185?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true (https://www.kijiji.ca/v-house-for-sale/cape-breton/house-cabin-and-land/1396692185?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true)
Also for any German speakers...
https://www.immobilien-capebreton.de/59-wohnhaus-auf-11-ha-creignish-kanada.htm (https://www.immobilien-capebreton.de/59-wohnhaus-auf-11-ha-creignish-kanada.htm)
Our long range plan is to build another one for retirement... if we make it! ;)
Edit Feb25th 2019 - The house sold in January. We're now looking for another suitable lot for the "retirement home" d*