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General => Owner-Builder Projects => Topic started by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on September 15, 2009, 09:46:48 AM

Title: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on September 15, 2009, 09:46:48 AM
Well, we have now embarked on the biggest project of our lives. For many years my wife Ginger and I have dreamed of someday having our own land and building our own home. We really are excited about this new opportunity and the challenges it will bring. We have been kind of watching this board for quite some time as the information being shared by everyone is great. It seems like this is actually a worthwhile board. So with that in mind we figured we would share our project with all of you. Feel free to comment as much as you want as I will take anything anyone has to say. We are always open to ideas [cool].

We had sketched out a few plans over the year and found it interesting that one of the plans on this site was so similar to what we wanted to do. So no we have not purchased any plan from the site but rather are working from one we designed ourselves. Now this plan has changed and will probably continue to change as we build ???.

We have finally purchased a piece of land in Monroe Maine and have begun building our home. We plan on doing almost all of the work ourselves. About the only things we will have hired out are the well and septic system. I grew up on a farm here in Maine where we had to do all our own construction work so we feel we can do this. It is a huge undertaking but we feel that the hard work we put into it will make us appreciate it all the more when we are done. However... who is ever really done with a cabin in the woods?

We are becoming empty nesters as our son has just finished up his first year of college(1200 miles away) and our daughter is graduating high school in January and plans on movign out. Our goal in that case is simple really, we want to build a simple home that will be large enough for us to be comfortable but small enough to be economical to build and maintain. The plan is for a 24x30 cabin with a half loft. The half loft will become the master bedroom and master bath. Downstairs will be a 2nd bedroom and a full bath. The open great room will contain the kitchen, dining and living room. Our plan is to someday add a 4 seasons use porch on two sides of the house but that is down the road sometime.

Our home will be located on a 4 1/2 acre fully wooded lot on a 4 seasons dirt road in Monroe Maine. We picked this lot because it had not been cut in probably 40 years or more so the property is fully covered in fairly mature hardwoods(mostly oak & maple) with a few pines and fir for good measure. It is fairly secluded and quiet. Our driveway is about 300 feet long and puts our home about 325 feet back from the road which we feel is perfect. Here is a picture looking into the lot from the road. You can barely see a car way in there which is where the house will be. This picture was taken before we had done anything. The driveway appears wider than it really is. We will have to clear trees for the power company to run lines but that is ok. It will allow us to put back in things we want to have there.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLot/Lookingindrivewayfromtheroad.jpg)

Here is a shot that shows the concrete piers for our foundation in place and all of our back fill has been done. In the background you can see the nice green grass that has already started to come in our our septic system. We have decided upon a post/pier foundation as we do not really like basements(except walk out ones) and had rented a home once that used this system and had no issues what so ever with it. The concrete piers are sunk some 5 feet into the ground and are on 18" x 18" concrete footings that are about 12" thick. The whole property we are on is well drained gravel. We had dug a couple of test holes early in the process down 5-6 feet and kept track of them during all of the extremely wet weather we had in June & July and never had any water accumulate so ground movement due to frost or water should never be an issue.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Foundation/LevelingGravel3.jpg)

We have been working the last few days on the first floor beams and deck. We have all of the support posts in with bracing and half of the floor joists in place. We plan on finishing the first floor deck this weekend.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/FirstFloorDeck/JoistLayout6.jpg)

Well, that is enough for now. We will try to update this every few days or so. If you want you can see even more information and pictures on our website http://donlundgren.com. We have the whole process broken down by section and update it often.

Thanks and have a wonderful day!
Don & Ginger Lundgren
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: MountainDon on September 15, 2009, 09:57:48 AM
 w* and thanks for the kind words. I had a look at your website... loads of photos. Very nice.


Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: John Raabe on September 15, 2009, 10:04:16 AM
Don & Ginger:

Good start to an interesting project. Keep us in the loop. w*

Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Redoverfarm on September 15, 2009, 10:22:33 AM
Again  w*.

Nice for you to keep CP in mind and taking the time to become involved.  I was just wondering why you decided to put the master on the 2nd (loft) floor.  I am sure that it probably hasn't hit home yet that as we grow older the ability to climb and decend stairs becomes more difficult.  As for my cabin I wanted the master on the first floor and left the loft for younger folks.   My primary house is set up much the same.  Even now I am not that old but often find climbing the stairs to the childrens rooms (2nd floor) is somewhat inconvient. 

Nice progress and yes keep us posted on the progress and the pics. Everyone loves pics.  ;D
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: ListerD on September 15, 2009, 10:22:53 AM
Gorgeous property! [cool]
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: upa on September 15, 2009, 10:39:46 AM
Wow, nice sites(web and home), looking forward to seeing more updates
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on September 15, 2009, 11:12:32 AM
Thank you all for the kind words so far. As for why we put the master bedroom and bath on the 2nd floor that serves 2 purposes. One, we are still fairly young(45 me and 40 my wife) and as such can handle the stairs for some time to come. 2nd, I believe that going up and down stairs may be good for us in the long run. We even had a doctor tell us once that stairs are good exercise as we get older. Something about done carefully it is good for strength of joints and such.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Redoverfarm on September 15, 2009, 11:21:00 AM
That was really meant for the faraway future. Just looking down the road so to speak.   ;) 
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: poppy on September 15, 2009, 12:04:31 PM
 w* to our little world.

Nice property and great work on the foundation.

I know it would cost more, but have you considered running electric underground?  It would save trees and surely look better.  :P
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: poppy on September 15, 2009, 12:21:24 PM
Don and Ginger,

Since my initial response, I reviewed your web site; well done.  [cool]

I have a couple of questions about the foundation.

What ties the footing to the pier?  I didn't see any rebar sticking up out of the footing.

What ties the posts to the piers?  Again, I didn't see anything sticking up out of the piers.

What prevents a strong wind from sliding the whole structure off the piers?

Hopefully, I missed something in my review.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on September 15, 2009, 12:44:08 PM
Good questions.

The piers are free standing on the footings. This was based on that fact the footings are really meant to spread the compression load out to the underlying ground. Given the very well drained soil(entirely gravel down to bedrock except for the top 4-5" of topsoil) the threat of upheaval is rather remote. As a point of reference we met with a gentleman who built a similar sized and shaped home on property not that far away from us. His soil conditions are almost identical as ours. He built the cabin some 3-4 years ago just sitting on 24" round concrete pads placed on grade. The home has not moved one bit. We have actually checked out a few homes built in similar fashion in the area. Many did not even have the extra footings and still never moved.

The posts will be tied to the piers by heavy galv. straps bolted to the piers and to the posts. We plan on putting them in place once we are 100% sure nothing needs to be tweaked a bit during the first floor deck construction.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: poppy on September 15, 2009, 01:20:46 PM
Glad to hear that you are going to tie the posts to the piers.  :D

There's probably no problem down at the footings, unless you have a very major earthquake.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: MushCreek on September 15, 2009, 04:22:41 PM
Welcome, Don! We're going to enjoy watching your progress at least as much as you are. My wife and I are in a very similar situation, although we're a bit older. Our son is nearly done with college (December), so we plan to get started on our place next year. We have 7 acres in rural SC, and like you, are planning something fairly small and  simple to keep the costs down. I'll probably build on a walk-out basement, due to the slope of our land. Keep the pictures coming!
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: TexstarJim on September 15, 2009, 05:25:10 PM
Don, your picture of your floor frame prompted me to start another thread asking advice on my structure.  Your measurements are almost identical to mine;  24x30 compared to my 24x32.  (See 24x32 Lake Cabin in Oklahoma)

My plan has always been to build my frame atop the beams in order to get the frame exactly square.  But after seeing you have dropped your joists down between your frame, I started the thread asking for advice.  If my beam structure had came out perfectly square;  (the diagonals need to be exactly 40 feet and zero inches), I had considered simply doing as you have done, drop the floor joists inside the beams. 

My question to you is;  how square did you get your beams to the diagonal?  I haven't figured 24x30 but I am sure you have and know the perfect measurement for the diagonal.  If its off some, do you plan on adjusting the positions of your bottom plates on the deck to get your square? 

In my case, I can do this by simply letting the bottom plate overhand the edge of the deck since it is only one inch off square.

What are your concerns with using only joist hangers to keep the joist in place over time.  Your beams are actually thicker than mine and you can't nail into the ends of the joists.

Your place is going to be absolutely beautiful in that setting and I hope you and your wife spend many years enjoying your new home.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Arizona Highlander on September 15, 2009, 08:07:34 PM
Welcome!.
Great piece of land you got there. Beautiful.
Can't wait to watch the progress.
Nice website too.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on September 15, 2009, 08:18:25 PM
RE: TexstarJim

More good questions... I like it...

As for setting my joists inside the frame, we measured and measured and measured again and again and after only having to tweak it a bit we were within 1/8". We plan on tweaking it again just a bit after all of the joists are in. At this point we have not anchored the joist hangers to the joists yet. We only have them anchored to the beams. This will allow for us to more easily tweak the whole frame structure that little bit.

The proper diagonal for the frame we created is 38 feet 5 1/64 inch and currently we are sitting at just under 38 feet 5 on one diagonal and just a bit over 38 feet 5 on the other. To me when we get done we may or may not even bother to tweak it any more. An 1/8" of an inch out over 24 feet or 30 feet would really not be noticable at all I think. It will be more of a game time sort of descision so to speak.

Now on the portion about keeping the joists from pulling out from the beams. We have the joists hangers nailed properly(all holes used per spec) to both the beam and the joists. Then the subfloor will be glued and nailed on top providing almost a gusset to each of those joints. We will also be using 7/16" OSB under the bottom side(painted to prevent rot). This will create a sandwich sort of effect and I do not believe that there is any way the joists will pull out at all.

Again thanks for all the good comments and questions.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Bobmarlon on September 15, 2009, 10:31:19 PM
Foundation and deck looks great so far

Thanks for joining the forum looks like well have a great new cabin to watch go up.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on September 16, 2009, 07:20:19 AM
We got a wonderful surprise last night. We went to the site to put up joist hangers for the other side and CMP had been there and installed our power :) No more having to run off the generator. Might actually be able to hear myself think while working...
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: glenn kangiser on September 16, 2009, 08:50:24 AM
Nice project.  Thanks for posting it and w* to the forum.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on September 21, 2009, 07:03:01 AM
Good morning,

Well, thanks to a wonderful weekend and a lot of hard work we have our first floor deck done. All the joists are in place and all joist hanger holes used per spec (what a pain :-\). After putting the joists in we did check them all before we nailed the joist hangers to the joists just to make sure we did have a nice flat floor. We found about 4 or 5 joists that did have to be trimmed down a bit keep the floor flat. Once that was done to my liking ;) then we nailed, and nailed some more. We then installed a row of solid blocking(cut from the extra 2x10 we culled from joists material). These were both glued and nailed as well.

Then it was time to do the floor decking. Now we used 3/4" T&G OSB underlayment for the subfloor. That was put down using both construction adhesive as well 8d galv ring shank nails. Yes we used a air nailer as I had no desire to even try to do all of that by hand. That process took a fair amount of time to do as you have to line the layout up, cut pieces as needed then glue and nail it all. By the time we were done yesterday my hands were telling me I am no longer 25... ???

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/FirstFloorDeck/FloorDeckDone1.jpg)

My wife Ginger was excited as now she could actually wrap her hands around what this was really going to be. We then spent the next couple of hours laying out with marking tape(easy to staple and move if needed) all the rooms, stairs and cabinets and such. We altered our plan a bit based on that and what you see in the pictures(orange tape) is the layout we have decided upon.


(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/FirstFloorDeck/FloorDeckDone3.jpg)

Well next on our plan is to start building some walls. We hope to have at least a couple of walls build and ready to put up for this next weekend. As long as out weather and such holds we should be good to go.


Again, thank you all for the wonderful comments and suggestions.  I hope to have out regular website updated with many more photos later today.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: upa on September 21, 2009, 07:59:28 AM
That is a great idea with the tape. Kind of wish I did that for my wife, she has a hard time seeing what is in my minds eye :)
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on September 21, 2009, 08:16:11 AM
I hear ya on the minds eye thing. We were originally going to use duct tape but then I was thinking wait... I have almost a full roll of marking tape left. That stuff is really cheap. Then just using a staple gun(electric to save my hands) we could have at it and change anything in a snap. The high contrasting color also made it really easy to see what we were doing and how the layout worked.

We even marked out where the outside walls were as many times when you look at it on paper you forget you lose a foot of space due to the thickness of your outside walls. I even made sure we had our plumbing walls accounted for and such. She then would walk from room to room using the doorways and such to see how the flow would go. We probably made half a dozen slight changes and such to what we originally planed. All in all it was about 2 to 2 1/2 hours of work that we feel well worth the effort.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on September 28, 2009, 09:24:22 AM
Well good morning everyone!

It was a very productive weekend indeed. We had not originally had much more hope than to get a couple of walls framed and such. The weather called for a fairly nice day on Saturday but for the heavy rain to be in by early Sunday morning.

So to start off the weekend, on Saturday we got a bit of a later start as it was really cold out and we went out to breakfast instead of working. Got to work by probably noon or so. My sister and brother-in-law both offered to come give us a hand so with them and my my mom and dad for support we got started. My wife and sister took on the task of apining th panels that would serve as the skirting to close in the crawl space. We plan on doing something different with that part later but for now it will keep out any critters so to speak.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/PaintingSkirtingPanels1.jpg)

By late afternoon we had all of our wall design narrowed down and had put together the first 2 sections of wall for one of the 30' walls. I was not going to put them up at first as I will not be able to be back to the jobsite for about 2 weeks as I have other commitments over the next 2 weeks. But after prodding we decided to go for it.  By a little later that night we had the first full 30' wall up and secured and the first section of its intersecting 24' wall up for added support. We called it a night after that as it was getting late and we really did not want to upset any of the neighbors. We are not really close in distance but given how quiet the area normally is the noise really carries at night.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/MakingPlates1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/TrimmingWalls1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/PuttingUpFirstWall1.jpg)

Now normally my wife and I have been working pretty much alone on the house. My daughter bless her heart said to me on Thursday "DAD! you need to ask for help..." Well, this is something "I AM NOT GOOD AT". So she took it upon herself to contact some freinds and put together a work party for Sunday(most everyone worked on Saturday so Sunday would have to do). She bribed them by offering to make them a great pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs breakfast Sunday if they came. She got about half dozen or so of our freinds and family(any more would have been bad) to come.

Come Sunday morning sure enough everyone that my daughter contacted showed up. My wife, daughter, sister and neice all got going on the breakfast part while the rest of us got to work. We knew we did not have long as a heavy rain was due in a couple of hours. We had a mist already going by 9 am. Well by the time they had breakfast ready we had the other walls all framed up. After breakfast we got them all stood up and braced. Now we had left out all of the headers and cripples and such until we got the walls up. Figured it would be alot easier to lift without them in place.

As we were finishing up bracing the walls the rain started to come in more heavily. We decided to try and use a tarp to cover the area so we could work on door and window framing and such. The tarp I got turned out to be really cheap  but we figured it would maybe work long enough. We got it all put up (that was a chore) and bam... we could stay dry. It worked fine for the day but did not last the heavy rain we had last night. Oh well, not the end of the world.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/TarpAttempt1.jpg)

By mid afternoon we had all of the window and door framing done. We then decided to put in place the 3 entry doors(could not wait...) and the 8' picture window for the living room. What do you know... they fit. We called it a day after that as we were all quite wet and had gotten an amazing amount of work done.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/ExteriorWallsUp1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/ExteriorWallsUp3.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/ExteriorWallsUp4.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/ExteriorWallsUpPictureWindow1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/ExteriorWallsUpRearView.jpg)

The cast of characters who had a part in this weekends activities are my mom and dad, my sister Linda and her husband Duane, her daughter Diana and her boyfriend Keith, my daughter Britni and her boyfreind Shane and one of his friends Trundy. This type of working together to help others in need is what makes worth family all worth it.g to make them a great pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs breakfast Sunday if they came. She got about half dozen or so of our freinds and family(any more would have been bad) to come.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/Workers1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/Workers2.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ExteriorWalls/Workers3.jpg)

Ginger and I want to send a big thank you out to all who had a part in some way with our progress this weekend.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: handyman on September 28, 2009, 04:31:59 PM
     Nice start to the cabin.  I like pancake breakfasts too.  How are you going to trim around your doors on the outside walls?  I want to use the same doors you are using. What will you do at the door sill?
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on September 28, 2009, 05:37:05 PM
Good day, thanks for the comments.

As for trim around the doors that is actually still up for debate as we have not come to a final decision about siding yet. I know it WILL NOT be vinyl siding! We are bouncing back and forth on a few different ideas each would require a bit different trim option.

Because the doors I got are actually standard jambs I will need to extend them for my 2x6 walls and for whatever siding we use. For the sills I am actually going to use a custom bent piece of stainless steel or aluminum. When it has been caulked into place and the doors caulked to it we will not have to worry about it leaking and such.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: MaineRhino on September 28, 2009, 08:24:54 PM
Good job! Great idea using the tape for markup too! 

We also debated on siding options, and went with a vinyl. Research found that not all vinyl siding is alike! We built with minimal maintenance in mind, and installed siding that will never have to be touched again!


(https://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd127/MaineRhino/Mountain%20Camp/025.jpg)
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on October 19, 2009, 10:38:16 AM
Well it has been awhile since we last were able to work on the house. Between a trip to Illinois to help my son and our regular jobs more time has gone by than we wanted. The weather has also been just as much of a pain in the butt as well. We finally got to work on the house yesterday. And don't you know it had to be bitterly cold(30's) and damp as we had a storm coming in. So with that in mind we went to breakfast in hopes it may warm up a bit but it did not. We got started about noon. By the end of our day (8pm) we had a full blown snow storm going on and the roads home were very slick.

We tried to use a propane heater to keep the area warmed up yesterday but with no real roof in place yet and some gaping holes it was a challenge to stay warm. And yes you see carpet in the background. My wife found a clearance deal on it for only 50 cents a square foot so could not pass it up.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/DadWarmingUp.jpg)

We got our ledger and center beam up and in place with all of the joist hangers. We also placed our two end joists in to square everything up.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/CenterBeamInPlace1.jpg)
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/LedgerAndFirstJoistInPlace.jpg)

Next we worked on getting all of our other joists in place. After they were in place I then used a set of ratchet straps to cinch the sides and center beam and joist together. Then I could actually secure the joists to the joist hangers. I did this to make sure everything stayed even as it should.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/JoistsDoneOnOneSide.jpg)

We could then work on the other side of the loft. Now on that side we am acutally going to do a somewhat of a salt box roof effect and will be having a 6-7ft(not sure exactly on height yet) exterior wall. This will provide for much more headroom on that side. That is where our bedroom will actually be. For that I have the joists on that side resting on top of the shorter section of outside wall. Then we will frame up the wall for exterior loft wall on top of that once we decide what we want.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/GettingEndSquaredUp2.jpg)

We then got to put in our blocking.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/PuttingInBlocking1.jpg)

Finally got all the joists up and blocking in and could not resist getting up on it to try it out. Just have to be careful as that first step would be a pain in the..... if you missed.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/FirstOneUpOnLoft.jpg)

We then got to putting the subflooring up on the loft. Now for this I created a ramp kind of thing for my dad and such to be able to use. I was up in the loft pulling the sheets up. They could then just slide the 3/4 OSB up the ramp easily and it would just then rest on a scrap piece of wood so they would not have to hold it. That worked great and made it alot easier on everyone.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/EasyWayToPutUpFlooring1.jpg)

Now given how cold it was and was going to be I decided to wait to glue and nail the flooring. It is supposed to be back up to normal 50's this week. Last night was crappy snow/rain/slush and I think it would not have been a good night for glue given no heat. So for now it is all layed up where it will go and rough cut to length. I will trim to actual length once I get to securing it. Figured I would rather have to cut twice to get it right then once and have it too short.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/DoneForNight3.jpg)

I then had to put in a bunch of braces for the tarped roof to try and keep out the snow/slush/rain crap we have going on. So it looks funny but it works.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/DoneForNight6.jpg)

We are finally done for the night.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/DoneForNight2.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/DoneForNight4.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/DoneForNight5.jpg)

I think given it was really just my wife and myself along with my mom and dad for assistance we did good to get as much done in the cold as we did. We know that this week will be a challenge to get much done as both of us have heavy work schedules. But with luck we may be able to start on the roof next weekend.

We really doubted that our tarp roof would hold as it was a wet sticky snow and that with a tarped roof spells trouble. We expected to go over this morning and find the tarped roof collapsed but to our surprise it held... Only a couple of water pockets from where the weight of the snow pulled the tarp enough to catch the water. I have since added more poles to push up in the low spots of tarp to keep any further water from pooling up.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: John Raabe on October 19, 2009, 02:32:37 PM
Just checking to make sure... you have larger deeper footings and solid posts to them under those beam supports, right? These point loads have a tendency to add up.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Bobmarlon on October 19, 2009, 08:07:53 PM
looks great your lofts is built the same way as ours is weve been drying a tree out in our garage getting it ready to replace our 2X6.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on October 19, 2009, 11:00:21 PM
You have a good point on the footings and beam and such and was considered when we put in the footings. We will actually have a wall that extends about 3/4 the length of the beam from the exterior wall. That will direct the load directly to the main support beam and posts below it which has more than enough capacity. At the end of the beam in the middle of the house will be a post that will be made from a tree on our property that will extend the whole way to the ridge(not really load bearing for the ridge but will be connected).
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on October 27, 2009, 02:00:25 PM
We have gotten started finally on the roof system. Weather and time have not been on our side lately. Seems like just about all the time I have to work on the house it is pouring... I think I read somewhere if you want to see the worst in weather start building a house...

We decided that maybe we needed to take a different approach. So we took down the temp tarp cover we had up(only about 4 feet above exterior walls). We then put in the actual ridge boards(2x12) using temporary supports in the actual location they will be. We then put up a new larger tarp that could then cover the entire house. Now this was done mostly at night and using all hands available so we really do not have many pictures of the process. Thank you to my mom and dad for helping with this as getting the 40x60 tarp up over the house in one piece was a bit of a chore.

Here my wife gets of me up on the loft after we got the tarp over and secure.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RidgeUp1.jpg)

Here is a shot of the diningroom/livingroom end of the house. We decided to rent some staging as that was quite a way up to be messing around trying to balance a ladder. The staging is 15 feet. The total ridge height is about 20' 6" for about a 10.5/12 pitch.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RidgeUp3.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RidgeUp4.jpg)

We also have gotten started on the stairway to the loft. This is the first time I have ever created a full set of stairs. I have done a small 4 step stair onto a porch so understand the concept well enough. The stairway is going to be L shaped and as such we defined where and how big our platform would be and framed it in first. We then cut our first set of stringers for the short section of steps. We will be working tonight on completing the balance of the stringers and steps.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Stairs/StairPlatformLevel.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Stairs/StringerLayout1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Stairs/StringerCut2.jpg)


We hope over the course of this week to cut and install the rafters and maybe be ready to put on roof sheathing next weekend. We figure we can loosen a section of the tarp at a time to put in the rafters and then tighten it back up. We will be keeping our fingers crossed.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on October 27, 2009, 10:20:31 PM
Today we were able to complete the stairs. Yippeeeeee!!!!!

Here I am starting the cutting of the main stringers. We went with a 7 1/2" rise and 10" run on our stairs.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Stairs/StringerCut3.jpg)

Here we have the stringers all cut and put in place and I am checking for level and square before we secure it in place.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Stairs/CheckingStringersForLevel1.jpg)

My dad and mom stopped by after square dancing and gave us a hand. I put dad to work on stair treads and mom on picking up scraps.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Stairs/MomAndDadHelping1.jpg)

Now I am installing the treads and risers. We are going to be carpeting the stairs so used scrap 7/16 OSB for the risers and 2x12 for the treads.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Stairs/InstallingTreads1.jpg)

The stairs are complete!!!
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Stairs/StairsComplete1.jpg)

View from alternate angles showing full stairway.
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Stairs/StairsComplete3.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Stairs/StairsComplete4.jpg)

Overall I am quite pleased in my very first full set of stairs. Nice and sturdy and level... how about that.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: MountainDon on October 27, 2009, 10:29:25 PM
No more ladders, eh?   ;D ;D  And they fit the space. Looking good!
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: poppy on October 28, 2009, 03:04:44 PM
Looking good.  [cool]  I guess you really don't care what angle the pics. have, since we have seen your "clear" head and backside.  ::)

So is that a shower enclosure there under the loft?  Did you get a deal on it?
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on October 28, 2009, 08:45:49 PM
Hey! at least it was not a plumbers crack.....

Yes that is a shower stall you see. It is a bit dirty on the backside at the moment from us trucking it home on my trailer in the rain across dirt roads and then sitting outside for a few days to collect leaves. We will clean it up before we actually install it in our master bath which is in the loft area. It was a craigslist find that we picked up. It is a 48" wide and 36" deep white shower and we got the thing complete with newer single handle controls for $75. Fantastic deal as it did not have a scratch on it on the inside. They took it out of the house to put in a custom stone tile shower after they bought the house.

We have a bunch of other craigslist finds going into the house as well. Some are already there. In the walls are currently over 90 2x6x10 and 2x6x8 that came from a garage teardown on craigslist. We picked them up for a $1.50 for the 10's and $1.25 for the 8's. All of our 7/16 OSB was picked up from where it had been used to cover ground for a outdoor wedding for 8 hours. We picked that up for only $3 a sheet. We have many other items acquired that way but they will come into play later in the build.

This forum has been a fantastic inspiration and chock full of ideas and alternate ways of doing things.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on November 05, 2009, 11:28:22 AM
Well, I just tried to post an update twice and it died saying the database had gone away. Maybe it was too large for single post so i will split it into 2 and see. Here is the first part.

Well we had a great weekend last week. We got the balance of the loft flooring all glued and nailed down. We also built and put up the exterior wall and got all the rafters and about 75% of the sheathing in place by late Sunday night.

Now last week we took down the smaller tarp and put up the ridge and put a larger tarp over the whole house. Here are a couple of shots of that in place.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/ViewFromFrontAllTarpedUp1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/ViewFromRearAllTarpedUp2.jpg)

Here I am building what will be the loft exterior wall on the back. We have made it such that our loft area has kind of a dustpan effect. Our pitch on the main house will be 10.5/12 and the pitch on the back of the loft area which will be our master bedroom will be about 6/12.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/BedroomWall2.jpg)

We picked up an awesome used picture window off of craigslist for only $100. It still had the tags on it and had been installed in a shed(what is up with that) for about 6 months. It is over $250 at Home Depot so we think we got a great deal. Here you can see me test fitting the window in the wall on the floor. Wanted o make sure it all fit properly before completing the nailing and putting sheathing on.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/TestFitBedroomWallWindow1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/TestFitBedroomWallWindow.jpg)

After we completed the test fit we removed the window and completed nailing it all together and putting the top section of sheathing in place. The lower section will overlap the end of the floor joists and top plate so will be put on after the wall is in place.

Next we had to take down the tarp we had over the whole house. That was a chore as we did not really want to rip it up or anything as we may need to reuse it and so far it has faired pretty well for being cheap. Here we are taking down the tarp. Most of my time was spent removing all the blocks we had holding it in place and then helping guide it over the ridge to keep it from snagging on anything.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/TakingTarpDown2.jpg)

Yes I am under the tarp somewhere....

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/TakingTarpDown4.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/TakingTarpDown5.jpg)

Once the tarp was down we were able to get our loft wall up and in which was the last step needed before we could do the rafters. Now it took all 5 of us(mom & dad, Ginger, Britni and myselft) to get the 14 foot wall complete with its sheathing and window in place. We decided to put the window in on the floor and just loosely attach it. Figured it was a lot easier than trying to lift that thing into place from the outside after the wall was up given it would be 12 feet off the ground or more. So no picture of the wall on its way up.

Here the wall is up and in place.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/BedroomWall3.jpg)

we did find we had to tweak one end a bit as it was not quite plumb. It was so rigid we had to have my daughter and wife pull on a strap attached to it while my dad and I checked for plumb and nailed it in place. My daughter enjoys being a bit goofy here at times.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/BedroomWall4.jpg)

View from outside.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/BedroomWall5.jpg)
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on November 05, 2009, 11:31:38 AM
Part 2 of three as it failed to post again in 2 parts

We then got to work on adjusting the ridge board to ensure it was level and plumb and all at the right height. That was fun... NOT!

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/AdjustingRidgeHeight.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/CheckingRidgeHeight.jpg)

Just about then we had my sister Linda and her husband Duane as well as Keith show up so it was time to kick it into high gear. We then set about prepping the walls with the rafter ties and cutting the rafters to match our pattern we made.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/LindaInstallingRafterClips.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/DuaneInstallingRafterClips.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/DuanePickingRafters.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/DadDuaneRafterCut1.jpg)

We then set about setting the rafters. Here we are putting in the first set. And DANG... our template fit.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace2.jpg)

We then got the second set in place to make sure the ridge was held properly in place.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace3.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace4.jpg)

Then we had at it and started to really pick up steam.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace5.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace6.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace7.jpg)

We then got enough in that we put a sheet of sheathing in place to keep it more stable as we were putting it together.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace8.jpg)

One side done.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace9.jpg)
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on November 05, 2009, 11:32:56 AM
Part 3 then...

we then got started on the rafters on the loft side of the house.


(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace10a.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace10.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace11.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace12.jpg)

Now in the mean time one of Keiths friends Jeff also showed up. The two of them make quite a team as both of them work regular construction jobs. Now lets say that once the two of them were together it made for some very colorful banter between them which cannot be repeated here but was beyond funny at times.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RaftersInPlace13.jpg)

My mom was keeping us supplied with tools, coffee, and generally picking up after us... man the older we get the more some things never change for moms....

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/MomToolKeeper2.jpg)

Linda and Britni went to work on nailing in all the rafter ties. Yes it is now about 4:30 in the afternoon and getting kinda dark and cold.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/LindaNailingRafterTies.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/BritniNailingRafterTies.jpg)

We then got back on roof sheathing.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RoofSheathing2.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RoofSheathing3.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/RoofSheathing4.jpg)

We finished up about then as it was now well into the evening and things were starting to get damp and as such too dangerous to continue.

Here are a few shots taken the next morning showing the great progress that was made.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/MostlyDone1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/MostlyDone2.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/MostlyDone3.jpg)

And a couple of views from inside.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/MostlyDone6.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/MostlyDone7.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/MostlyDone9.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/MostlyDone10.jpg)

Again thank you to all who had a part in this project. And thanks to everyone for putting up with me and my "I'd like to have it done my way" issues.

Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Abbynrml on November 05, 2009, 11:40:08 AM
Thats really looking good!
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: MountainDon on November 05, 2009, 11:43:27 AM
That was a lot o work. Must feel very good to be able to pack away the tarp.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: RainDog on November 05, 2009, 12:01:36 PM

All those photographs are a great help in following your progress. Thanks a lot! Lookin' good!

Parks
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Sassy on November 05, 2009, 12:08:13 PM
Great find!  Good finds on Craigslist, too!
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Redoverfarm on November 05, 2009, 03:56:32 PM
 Don & Ginger Lundgren making good progress.  Be careful you are going to make the rest of us look bad. ;D
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on November 05, 2009, 04:04:21 PM
Well... on the speed thing... it has been almost 4 months since we started this project. Granted the first month or so of that was waiting for well and septic to be done. Given it is to be the house we will live in and while we are building we have been living with my parents we want it completed enough to live in as quickly as possible. We knew when we elected to move back to Maine and do this that it was going to be a lengthy process. Now when it comes to finishing it that will take quite a bit more time as we will probably change our minds soooo many times it is not even funny. Right now we are aiming to be able to "live" in it by mid December. We know that probably none of our inside walls will be finished but we should be water tight, insulated, plumbed and electric in place enough to get moved in by then.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: speedfunk on November 05, 2009, 04:10:21 PM
good luck... great progress!!!
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on November 06, 2009, 09:38:54 AM
Well, the past few nights we have managed to sneak a few hours work in. Now that daylight savings time is over it is now well past dark by the time I even get out of work. Given that and the fact that the past few nights have been very cold not a huge amount was done but we did get some things done.

We managed to get the balance of our sheathing on. We still need to build are gable overhangs and trim up some of the sheathing but getting there.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/SheathingDone2.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/SheathingDone1.jpg)

We also got the gable end on the loft side all framed up including the space for the one Egress window we need. Our picture window with the dual sliders did not have a large enough opening to meet egress requirements. Granted I am not in an area of heavy code enforcement it is still the right thing to do for safety sake I think.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/GableFramed2.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/GableFramed3.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheLoft/GableFramed1.jpg)

Our plan for this weekend is to finish up the gable ends and sheathing as well as get the roof underlayment(30# felt or other) down so that at least the roof will not leak as it has over the past couple days of crappy weather we have had. We have had rain/snow mix all day yesterday and last night. That means a fair amount of water in the house as it rolls down the roof and in each of the seams in the roof sheathing. Oh well I guess better than a flood....

My wife and I want to thank you all for your nice comments and words of encouragement. This is by far the biggest project we have ever undertaken.

Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: glenn kangiser on November 06, 2009, 09:43:47 AM
Looks like good progress to me.  Thanks for the update, Don and Ginger. :)
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on November 09, 2009, 12:20:15 PM
Well we did not get as much done this weekend as we originally planned as we ended up with some unplanned diversions. But we did make progress. We did find out that when we did the rafters we accidentally (ok maybe on purpose and forgot or something) to put the last set on the end of our great room. So we got those put up and in place.

We also got the gable end for that end all framed in now as well. You can see the location for the nice 33" x 67" circle top window we picked up at a yard sale for only $30... yes you read that correctly. I do have to create a frame for it but that will not be that hard to do.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/GableEnd2.jpg)

We also got the sheathing all done on the lower section of that wall so now all that is left to be sheathed is the gable ends themselves.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/GableEnd4.jpg)

We found out Friday that we needed to have 2" conduit in place by this Wed. for the phone company to run a phone line. We did not expect to have to have that in place already but we did not want to rock the boat as we have been struggling with them to get DSL to our site.  So here I am using a neighbors tractor to dig our trench for our electric and telephone service conduits. It was 105 feet long end to end and 3 feet deep. Now we did not get much in the way of pictures of this as our batteries went dead in the camera and we did not want to stop and go get some. Work at that time was more important.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ElectricServicePole/DiggingTrench2.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/ElectricServicePole/Trench1.jpg)


Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: poppy on November 09, 2009, 05:51:14 PM
Gotta like $30 windows. I haven't even considered trying yard sales, but you just never know where the deals are.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on November 09, 2009, 10:11:02 PM
Well, I have to admit that my wife is the better deal finder at yard sales. When we decided to start this project we did not look at what we needed at the moment but what would be needed at some point in the project. With that in mind the actual first item purchased for our new home we did before we even had signed the papers. My wife found a awesome hanging light for our livingroom/dining room area at Lowes that had been over $180 for $35 on clearance. We then just started hitting craigslist, unclehenrys(local craigslist kinda), yard sales and local classifieds for anything we thought the project may need. Needless to say we have purchased better than 75% of the house in this manner. Heck the big triple picture window you see in our livingroom was a freebie from a yard sale that we purchased 5 other windows from for a total of $35 for all 5. Granted some need to have some crappy paint work scraped off, touch up nicks in exterior wood work and be repainted the correct way but for the price I got them for it is worth it. The deals are out there if you can take the time to search them out and think way outside of your current needs. I know my mom and dad thought it was funny that we had our full master bath and livingroom lighting long before one bit of wood had been purchased for the house.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on January 07, 2010, 12:52:53 PM
WOW! it has been a long time since we updated the site. With all of the normal holiday family events and such from Thanksgiving until New Years we have not had much time to work on the house. Then when we did most of the time it was either raining or snowing or bitter cold. Building your own house while both having full time jobs and such can be a real chore. Granted a chore we enjoy none the less.

We have managed to complete our sheathing finally. Now just have to get the housewrap all on. We were waiting on that until we had the roof completed but that is proving to be a bit more of a pain due to weather and such on the few days we have had to work. So we are taking a different path and will go ahead and get the exterior walls wrapped up and the windows and doors sealed in place next.

We have also managed to get all of our interior walls on both the main floor and the loft in place(after moving some around a bit...). Once we had our rafter ties/ceiling joists all in place and removed the temporary center post that supported the center of the ridge while we were building the roof it really opened up the area. This really made things look nice to us.

Here is a couple of shots of the rafter tie and ceiling joists we have put in. This gives us a total ceiling height in the living room/dining room of about 17 feet or so. That will really be nice when it is finished off. Even in the loft the main ceiling height is over 8 feet. Helps to make it feel bigger than it really is.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/RafterTieDetail1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/CeilingJoistsDetail1.jpg)

Here is a shot showing where the kitchen and the 2nd bathroom/utility room is. The saw and stack of weathered planks is in kitchen. You can see the bathroom/utility room behind the kitchen.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/ViewOfKitchenAndBath1.jpg)

Here is a shot showing the loft area framing in place with the master bath on the right and master bedroom on the left. We have a cool idea for the doorway here but we are not telling at the moment... need to iron out some details first.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/ViewOfLoft1.jpg)


Here is a shot showing from top to bottom now that the temporary post has been removed. That really opens things up without it there.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/ViewOfLoft2.jpg)


Here are some other shots showing the interior framing in place.


(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/ViewOfLoft4.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/ViewOfLoft5.jpg)


Here you can look into the master bath.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/ViewOfMasterBath1.jpg)


And now some shots from the loft. The big rectangle on the gable end is where our big half circle window is going. Still have to complete building its frame before we can put it in.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/ViewFromLoft1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/ViewFromLoft2.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Interior/ViewFromLoft4.jpg)

We have also started getting the soffit installed. We had to modify our plan on the soffit but believe that it is coming out good all in all.

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/SoffitDetail1.jpg)

(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/TheRoof/SoffitDetail2.jpg)

So we have been keeping busy but things are just taking longer than expected and with lots of interuptions and such. Hopefully the next couple of weeks will show some more progress.



Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Thoughts-from-Jules on January 07, 2010, 02:00:11 PM
You guys are doing a great job, bravo on all the finds at CL and yardsales!  I started looking recently for CL items and in a few areas surrounding us it is AMAZING the deals out there!  Especially with the slow down of development in a lot of areas and people trying to ditch their supplies.

Anyway it is looking great.

Care to share what you've spent so far as an inspiration to the rest of us to know it is possible to build for less than retail everything?  That would be really helpful.;)
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: poppy on January 07, 2010, 02:03:07 PM
I'm no expert, but it might be wise to review the thread in General on "collar tie/rafter tie".

I'm worried about the open area with the knee wall and no rafter ties.  ???
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: MountainDon on January 07, 2010, 03:34:50 PM
Good question, poppy.

And are there going to be a couple beams or something across that wide open high vaulted ceiling space to prevent any possible spreading of the walls?

Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Redoverfarm on January 07, 2010, 04:35:10 PM
Great Job Don & Ginger Lundgren .  I guess by now you can see that the hard work is paying off.  It is always nice to have it dried in and start working on the inside.  Don't be gone so long as it is nice to see different stages as they progress.  I am not real good a multi-tasking visulation. ;D
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on January 08, 2010, 09:10:48 AM
Good questions poppy & MountainDon. We have considered it but after speaking with some various friends who have similar styled homes and construction we do not believe we will need any additional support in the open area.  The primary reasons for this is that because of the very steep pitch 10.5/12 in that area combined with the steel roofing that will not let anything really stay on it the loading should be well within acceptable limits. We have taken careful measurements of the width at the plates and keep checking. We just had a snow storm last weekend that dumped about 15" of snow on us. the snow would not even stay on the roof with just a tarp on it even with the roof cleats under it that we used to scale the roof. I checked out our span measurements when the snow was on it first thing in the morning and had 0 deflection from the weight of the snow. Within a few hours of sunrise the roof had cleared itself(slid off) :). We are going to monitor it and if we see any signs of movement we will add additional support as needed.

Now one of the methods that we have seen used to sure up a wall to prevent the rafter spread was the addition of a doubled up 2x12 with a plywood spacer. This was installed and wrapped in such a way as to look like a decorative shelf along the wall at the plate height. It basically created a shelf which did not detract from the open feeling of the room but because it was tied into the plates along the entire wall gave the wall the rigidity that was needed. We have been giving this some thought as may adopt this strategy if we find any movement in the rafters or walls.

We are going to try to get our synthetic underlayment on for the roof this weekend and put a new tarp in place taking the time to really get it sealed down well. I do not feel we should try to put the steel on at this time as both weather and very cold temps make it too risky for me to do. We feel confident that if we get th underlayment down correctly and the new tarp installed really carefully and tight that we should be able to wait for spring to put on the steel roofing. A small place only minutes away from us has done this and had it that way for over 6 months now and the tarp never moved ot leaked. If we can get it sealed up well we can then insulate and complete the inside aspects of the home during the balance of the winter.

Thanks again for all the comments and this has been quite and adventure so far. Some people think we are nuts d* to do this ourselves but we really are enjoying the feeling of accomplishment when we complete any of the portions we are working on.

Keep warm everyone and God bless you all.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Redoverfarm on January 08, 2010, 09:30:20 AM
Don & Ginger if you are going with something like Titanium Felt there would really be no need for the tarp after it is installed.  The tricky part is installing it so that you do not penetrate it with cleats(temporary for walking).  The way I did mine was to install it from the top down. Slipping each subsequent course under the previous with the required overlap.  Just leave it loose ( bottom 6")until you slip the lower course in place then attach.  Most underlayment such as I mentioned are to be nailed with "button or cap" nail.  That prevents it from tearing.  If you go this route you can still use the cleats and keep moving them down until you get to the bottom course and it will have to be worked on with ladders or scaffolding.  

Just a hint.  After you have it installed wait until you get some precipitation and check for leaks before insulating.  You shouldn't BUT things happen.  As long as you use the overlap and get the nail caps tight it should be fine.  
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: considerations on January 08, 2010, 01:54:15 PM
What a lovely layout - thanks for the pics - you guys are just smokin along! [cool]
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on June 06, 2011, 01:34:07 PM
Well, we did not fall off the edge of the earth... it has been a very long time since we updated our website or this site. Kinda sad when I do that stuff for other people for a living... Anyway, we have finally gotten the outside almost completely finished for now. We have the new cedar shingles on and they look awesome. We wanted something that looked a bit rustic and so I played around with a few samples to show my Ginger how we could do it. We settled on what you see there which is a 1" stagger of every other shingle. We think it came out awesome and and everyone has thought it was as well.

View from North East Corner
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Siding/ViewFromNorthEastSide1.jpg)

View from South East Corner
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Siding/ViewFromSouthEastSide1.jpg)

View from South West Corner
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Siding/ViewFromSouthWestSide1.jpg)

View from North West Corner
(http://donlundgren.com/cms1/content/files/images/new_house/Siding/ViewFromNorthWestSide1.jpg)

We have been doing this project as time and money permit(ok, more as money permits than time). So far we have stuck to our guns and as of now do not owe anything on the house. This forum has been a great asset to our build.

Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: John Raabe on June 06, 2011, 02:46:48 PM
Nice sturdy house - and handsome too! I expect it will age well and I can almost see a big future deck tying the two side doors to an outside living space.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: cbc58 on June 06, 2011, 03:33:07 PM
oohh ahhh... nice.  looks great.  how did you do that skirting??  almost looks like a full foundation.
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: MaineRhino on June 06, 2011, 07:02:32 PM
Beautiful! Very nice effect on the cedar siding too! [cool]
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: oifmarine on June 06, 2011, 10:25:03 PM
Very nice.  I just bookmarked your website for when I start my 20 x 30 in the spring!
Title: Re: 24 x 30 1 1/2 story cabin in Monroe Maine
Post by: Don & Ginger Lundgren on June 07, 2011, 06:24:13 AM
Thanks for the comments. As for the skirting, it is actually just waferboard that has been painted grey. It is actually temporary until we decide exactly what we want to do there. We plan on building a wrap around porch that will wrap from front(north side) to the left(east side) and to the back(south side). The porch on the back side will house our hot tub(working freebie on craigslist). The porches will be done such that they are for 4 season use. Figure if we are going to build them I want to be able to use them anytime we want.