Hello All!
I have been lurking on this forum for several years collecting inspiration for what has always been a dream of mine: to build an "off-grid-ish" cabin in/near my hometown in Western-Central, NH. As of recently though, I can now say that my cabin project is becoming a reality!
Quick history: I grew up in rural hill-country NH on a 300+ acre dairy farm with parents, grandparents, uncles/aunts & cousins. Most of my spare time (when not working on the farm!) as a kid was spent off in the woods. My grandfather and mother had a passion for knowing the terrain and really instilled that in me at a young age. As a result, I grew up with a very large "backyard" riddled with mountains, fields, streams, swamps, forest, boulderfields, etc. When my grandfather passed this fall it was fate when, while at his memorial service, I ran into an old family friend that had held onto a 5+ acre piece of property in my "backyard" when his family sold the old homestead 30+ years ago. He offered an (in my opinion) very low asking price that enabled a cash transaction for me so I scooped it up!
The property: 5+ acres of wooded lot, approx 350'+ x 900'+. The property has 350'+ frontage on what is called a "Class 5" road, which is essentially a seasonably-maintained dirt road that is unplowed in the winter. After our property the road turns into a "Class 6" jeep road and heads into thousands of acres of forestry land with hiking trails, snowmobile trails, etc. The first 2/3 of the land is sloping upwards off the road (south-facing!), and the last 1/3 is flat, which is where the proposed cabin lot is. The lot was sheep pasture in the early 1900's, as was most of the surrounding area. At some time in the mid 50's it was mostly abandoned and as a result I have some very mature pines on the property! There is potential for great hilly views from the cabin lot, but I am a little concerned about water access, given the higher elevation.
The plan: My lovely wife & I plan to build a modest cabin/cottage to enjoy on weekends and stay in with the (some day) kids when we visit my parents. We will be using the pine to mill our own lumber for the majority of the structure, which will likely be a variation 24x24 or 20x30. There is power at the road, but I intend to run all propane appliances (maybe even lights?), and eventually install a whole-house Generac. Heat will be mostly wood; maybe propane wall units in sleeping areas. Water as I said is somewhat of a concern; I may have to opt for a spendy artesian well set-up. Waste system will likely be composting with eventual septic system/leech field.
The design: TBD. I have been playing with SketchUp and have come farthest along with a 24x24 1.5 story design. Open floor plan with a lofted bunkroom and bedroom upstairs. I cant seem to figure out to upload attachments, otherwise I would post a PDF for critiques.
The progress: We have been focusing on thinning out the trees and laying out the driveway. We (wife, mom & dad) probably have 24 hours total into it at this point. We have been granted a driveway permit and have completed the grubbing for the driveway. Once "mud season" us over, I will order a tri-axle of hard-pack driveway mix and a culvert. Then we will be able to get equipment in to at least rough-in a driveway accessible by 4x4 pickup truck.
The timeline: I want to cut, skid & mill my lumber this summer/fall so it can season for building next year. I also want to get the driveway pickup truck worthy by the end of the fall. After that, who knows. Hope to get it weather tight by the end of next summer?
Here are some pictures to start with that brings you up to date:
Looking east. Property is across the street from where I am standing, sloping up away from the street
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About halfway up the slope into the property, looking south back to the road. This is about where the mature pines start. About 50% of the property is mature pines like you see here
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10689600_10100250413132221_114978340148049418_n.jpg?oh=45587e6d9deb616b8e05bd8de0a6fcae&oe=559B5741&__gda__=1440896376_c061f8dac4ae0f67fd0abdb3f146ebef)
At the top of the slope, again looking south. This is where the cabin will be. Note the hills in the distance for potential views!
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The first 100+ feet into the property were cleared at one point in recent history and as a result are now densely-populated hardwood saplings. We have many man-hours into "thinning" and will have many more before we are done. Forestry is one of my interests so my plan is to manage the property for future lumber & firewood
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In winter the snowmobile trail runs right across the road from the property. Here you see some of the mountains I will get a view of from the top of the property once the trees are thinned.
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Here is another shot from the top of the property at the proposed cabin site. We've had a heck of a winter in New England, so progress in Feb/March has been slow
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Here is a before and after shot that represents a few hours of clearing for the driveway. Here I am standing at the entrance of the property from the road, looking up.
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More driveway rough-out. Lots of rocks in NH!
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About halfway up the driveway, looking up to the cabin site (top left)
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Last one for now; picture from last weekend. Wife & mom after lots of cutting and burning
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Welcome, and what a lovely property. Makes me quite homesick for New Hampshire - grew up in East Kingston - which is a bit south of you I guess. Your white pines are amazing - and will grow huge!
It looks like you are on broken granite and close to bedrock. It's very likely there would be groundwater-- all that snowmelt ends up somewhere, and maybe not so deep, but also very likely would require drilling though hard rock to the depth of a yielding fracture. Have you talked with any local drillers?
Unfortunately, we do not allow file attachments to be uploaded and stored here, but if you can store your attachment elsewhere, like you did pictures, and link to it, that works well.
We have quite a few Sketchup users on this forum. Please post your cabin plans - always lots of interest and comments.
Thanks!
I have not talked with local drillers. I am half embarrassed to bring them up there until I have more of a proper driveway.
Here are some SketchUp shots
(http://neow.net/forum/uploads/monthly_04_2015/post-766-0-96437800-1429041266.jpg)
(http://neow.net/forum/uploads/monthly_04_2015/post-766-0-22401800-1429041261.jpg)
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Nice looking piece of land. It looks like the stairs are quite steep... go a little longer and get a comfortable set in? It also doesn't look like you would need the shed roof over them in order to get sufficient headroom? I'd figure out a structural ridgebeam for the roof you have. A little work around the woodstove to get a bearing up from there would likely do it. NH is one of the states that does have a native lumber law, you can use your own trees and self grade I believe. Do be careful with white pine, it has fairly low design strength values, grading is pretty critical because of its' knot structure when using it for beams, joists and rafters. It does look like there are a number of nice mature trees that will produce some good higher grade material though. I prefer using it as heavy timber to get a better section, built up post and beam is another way to distribute the knots and improve it's strength, just tossing ideas out. Am I also seeing some good red maple? If so much higher design values and nice trim/cabinet/flooring from the boards. Plenty of rock, looks like you are at the far end of the rock that starts on our property :D Material for a good stone foundation.
Hi Don! Thanks for the input. Yes there are quite a few red maples and some oak but they are all "pasture grade" as we call them... pretty gnarly stuff. The plan for construction is to do a hybrid of "post and beam" for the critical structural members (using "Timber Framing for the Rest of Us" techniques by Rob Roy) and balloon framing using the white pine. We've built a number of large sheds/small barns on my family's property with milled white pine from their property, so I am fairly confident in this system.
I am looking forward to tweaking the design a little more and hearing everyone's feedback!
I agree with the stairs being too steep. You could extend out into the airspace above the livingroom without taking up any floor. That said---
I LOVE your fireplace location and overall space. Putting it in the center of (basically) a cube is wise----you will have very good heat distribution, and no drafting issues. It's very similar to our Cuyamaca Cottage build. You might think about three other things--
1) Get a fireplace that drafts outside air (instead of pulling in cold air from all the windows and doors)
2) Soundproof the interior walls around the upstairs rooms. It will make the place feel bigger since sounds are muffled, and at the same time keep the upstairs sleeping areas from getting too hot when the downstairs is comfortable.
3) Run a 10" insulated duct from a register as close to the peak as possible, down through the upstairs closet, and out another register in the kitchen ceiling. Get an inline duct fan and a 110v thermostat switch, also mounted near the peak. WHen the ceiling gets hot enough it'll circulate the air, whether the heat comes from the fireplace or if you add a gravity wall furnace (which could go on the wall near the fireplace---great to have, when the fire dies down it will just take over)
Another design element we tried for Cuyamaca Cottage, and really like, is the 'reading nook'. It gives somewhere else to go other than the living room or bedroom. I imagine you have a large beam holding the upstairs up---just cantilever the upstairs floor joists from under the bedroom out 48" over your three barstools, a little wider than the bedroom so access would be through the upstairs hall
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Thanks flyingvan, great feedback!
It really looks like NH, I think I saw a few Minute Men behind the rock wall. Looks like they are ready for the redcoats to come down the road and give them ball for ball. Oh, I am sorry that is tomorrow, sorry Mr. Longfellow.
Paul
First "construction" project on the property this weekend. Moved a lot of rock. I saw rocks coming out of the dirt when I closed my eyes to sleep on Saturday.
My biggest expense on the property since buying it:
Culvert - ~$275
Gravel - ~$375 (I only used about half of the load for the area int he pictures)
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looks great.. i used to live in Wolfboro , and my son lives in the Plymouth area.. I suspect that one of these days he will be in a position to start a building project in the area.. can't wait to lend him a hand! good luck with your project.. the pics that you posted enable us to really understand what you are doing.. looking forward to seeing lots more! jt
Looks good, so far. We built a mini-cabin in Charlestown a few years ago on 10 acres. The hardest part was the land clearing, road building and tree removal, so chin up - it gets easier as you go! Good luck.
Thanks for the motivation guys!
More progress on the driveway this weekend. Dug/pushed around a few big rocks and stumps. We got the tractor all the way up the 500' path to the cabin lot. That was a major milestone.
Next step is to get the neighbor's excavator in there to pull the half dozen or so big rocks and scalp the top layer of organics off. Hopefully that will happen over the next month.
The neighbor's new portable sawmill was also delivered yesterday... hope to be milling some of the lumber in July!
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Cabin location is up on top of the knoll to the left.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11062808_10100315517951641_8418533091386760364_n.jpg?oh=ff0465966df76d7c80bf51be6ccc2741&oe=55C10A1B&__gda__=1443245801_48a7b8dc2e188b2e2246b4ab5b94ed74)
The black flies are pretty nasty this time of year...
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Made it to the top! Future front porch of the cabin will extend out over where my mother is standing, looking out over the hills.
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The only smooth, straight section of driveway!
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Nice progress! If it's not too much work, you can send that tractor to Idaho when you're finished with it ;)
Stop in NM on the way ;D
No black flies here either
Yup, you're on the same rock as here, very similar looking. In the pic of you pushing the rock, I'm seeing some interesting trees if you want to go rustic. The pistol butt tree on the left of pic, if you can round up a few of them could either be used as a cruck frame or some really neat braces if slabbed (depending on the throat of the mill). over the canopy is a wide Y fork in a tree, It could be slabbed to say 8" thick with natural edges and sitting under a 8x wall plate beam, naturally Y braced stronger and prettier. I've started bucking logs differently.
Quote from: Don_P on May 18, 2015, 07:53:28 PM
Yup, you're on the same rock as here, very similar looking. In the pic of you pushing the rock, I'm seeing some interesting trees if you want to go rustic. The pistol butt tree on the left of pic, if you can round up a few of them could either be used as a cruck frame or some really neat braces if slabbed (depending on the throat of the mill). over the canopy is a wide Y fork in a tree, It could be slabbed to say 8" thick with natural edges and sitting under a 8x wall plate beam, naturally Y braced stronger and prettier. I've started bucking logs differently.
Good eye Don! I like the way you think. This pistol-but tree definitely has some potential, but I am not sure if the neighbor's mill will be able to slab it out, i think he is at 36" max.
Regarding the Y over the tractor, that is an old hollowed-out Oak (shown to the left of this picture). Believe it or not, there are still some leaves in its canopy!
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Neighbor cleaned up about 1/2 the driveway yesterday with his excavator. Really starting to look like something.
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Excavator work is done! We can now get a pickup all the way to the top where the cabin will be.
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The excavator is sitting right where the cabin will be, facing the same direction.
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Can barely tell from this picture, but he did some nice thumb-work with the machine to create a little rock retaining wall to the right where the land was originally off-camber
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The next expense will to be a half dozen loads (maybe) of "ledge-pack" for the driveway material. It is more or less 2"+ stone that does a good job of locking together and not washing away in the big storms we seem to be having.
Love the road, just needs some hardcore and an excuse for a 4x4 or adding some mud tires ,
one of my favorite parts of our build was clearing the space and seeing the land we had to work with laying out lines and seeing what we had to work with
Is that a weimeraner I see checking out the new road ?
We have two of the buggers and they love the woods !
Quote from: UK4X4 on May 21, 2015, 07:46:09 AM
Love the road, just needs some hardcore and an excuse for a 4x4 or adding some mud tires ,
one of my favorite parts of our build was clearing the space and seeing the land we had to work with laying out lines and seeing what we had to work with
Is that a weimeraner I see checking out the new road ?
We have two of the buggers and they love the woods !
Howdy UK4X4! Yes, that is my folks' Weim "Henri". He's a good pup as long as you can keep him away for the porcupines!
There is plenty of 4-wheeling to be had. The property is on a "Class 6" town road which is an unmaintained public way. Miles and miles of great 4 wheeling. I've had a few jeeps in my time and still have a big group of friends up 4-wheeling a few times of the year. Here are some pics if you are interested (based on your handle, i assume you are!):
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These are my two, Diesel whos 11 and Gunther who's just 2, my best buddies and family personal protection
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Nope know nothing about offroading !
::)
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awesome pups and great wheeling pictures!
Hi ! You have a beautiful piece of property with lovely views from the top. You've made great progress so far clearing trees and putting in your access road. I hope the logging goes smoothly for you as well.
We are going to be neighbors! My NH land is fairly close to Mt Cardigan. I am hoping to get my septic system installed and foundation poured this June - banging nails by the 4th of July!
Thanks David! I am enjoying following your thread as well. I went to school neat Cardigan Mountain, that are is beautiful. I am about an hour south of you; south of Lake Sunapee.
Folk's took their truck all the way up to the cabin site yesterday. Big milestone!
The "chute"; first thing headed back down from the top
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10958799_10100322238074461_7229922029842601709_n.jpg?oh=2217c4cccc6817b3097fc4b13022facc&oe=55FD84FF)
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11265617_10100322238054501_5037495672780341925_n.jpg?oh=096ce9a641e10b6fa34c63c001432771&oe=5602EB53)
Nice and flat at the top:
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10422387_10100322238174261_2984761272895040621_n.jpg?oh=174fde324e480ae5ce1538f412a7bf52&oe=55C2F285)
More or less where the front porch will be:
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11295540_10100322238139331_4978725756613528579_n.jpg?oh=b684e3c99263549ba3dfd040cbbbd796&oe=55C8C84F)
FYI - Don is kind enough to be helping me with some of my framing questions. See this thread: http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=14023.0
If anyone else has comments I would be very grateful!
Little update:
Hauled in 5 loads of 3" ledge-pack material for the driveway over the weekend. Got the driveway about 2/3 complete. Probably another 3-4 loads to go. The driveway is roughly 500' long with an elevation gain of 50'
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11750644_10100351735870641_2692964454886829740_n.jpg?oh=e8933d73b2eb60c55855d045701413b5&oe=56498623)
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/13754_10100351735940501_294638352111132167_n.jpg?oh=e20095045ef8ce855ecb12311a01adc8&oe=56436631)
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11180335_10100351838899171_6910821254768071309_n.jpg?oh=88ebcb3236eca12d3c29e82c0a4d2b93&oe=56492A48)
Also did a little digging with the backhoe at the site of the cabin to expose some ledge that we will use as the basis of our foundation:
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11800076_10100351735890601_8104638702177813219_n.jpg?oh=5428c16d3c55154ba61af11fc0d4061e&oe=565C3812)
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11709529_10100351736170041_8152169867087637068_n.jpg?oh=38f071b75ff8195c816f5de57f4ea24b&oe=563ED68D)
Need to cut a few bigger trees before I can finish the driveway. Hope to have the driveway finished by the end of august and start cutting/milling lumber this fall.
There is a new house going in a couple of miles from where I've been working, a friend of my clients. She has graciously allowed us to log the homesite ahead of the excavator. I took the loader up Friday and we have 3 nice hickories back at my mill this evening, 2 mockernuts and a shagbark... cabinets and maybe wainscot in the dining room. There are 3 or 4 smallish cherries I think I'll get, a fair sized red maple and then a nice white oak that is bigger and funkier than I want to drop. I'll see if they can gently dig a little, push it over and let me back in to load it. It is a double for 4-5'. If it pans out I'll get a friend with a 6' chainmill to come in and slab it for the owner of that site as a thank you, hopefully a nicely figured tabletop inside. I've been bucking some of the logs that have a natural Y shape for braced posts... for some future project.
Does the ledge appear to be one solid rock?
sounds like great projects Don! Having a mill sure is handy. I am thankful for thrifty, knowledgable and utility-rich neighbors that are willing to help!
Yes it does appear that the ledge is monolithic. I am going to do some more digging next weekend to be sure.
Spent some time up at the property last week. Finished the bulk of the driveway, cut some sawlogs and did some milling (8' and 12' timbers).
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11224570_10207797685049339_5978966448693820512_n.jpg?oh=37cd11559bb15c80b724e39f7589a498&oe=56A0FFCA)
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/12003390_10207797685409348_1987130142324837715_n.jpg?oh=0352a5f081a4471c2154032f09866bd5&oe=569FD7B1)
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12036526_10207797689449449_4440993919916051042_n.jpg?oh=f7cae3b67c8bb85c2bf5efc4883b41dc&oe=5660031B)
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/12003345_10207797690169467_8876929531210021178_n.jpg?oh=ce0e17b726bfbf99365a3c4aa0bf3470&oe=566393FB)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gBNCoCOO1h7Mzr22gHiopG3CKMwVht72HND95voBc7JH3JXdDxNGhfa2XSSvikxAfcI_DjtsKKcmPP7WtXXsLsc9UA8tnx44mSvSeo6vEhY_i5z1GQ1bgXG0SAt_TbrFWyQzQtqOOO4G_3sXJN9vjbxqtjX76sVPieou-gbeqnHQL2dF12o8Jkh30AEIn5i_7w2DHRiVOWRObXKhoGLEjBIqu-3eSQBhoF4UPBsv7AUnEz6-BmESX3Lbmtkg2I2KbATr1x9a5Y8UW32z1Wn54HVGXuoQTcDwnarl9qV4pJDJsyWDhb_jyQBMUpnj7g9yk8FZYAYhujWrNPN8vi5OcqX_wwKQlXl5PRpi7KghTwm0SFhZRFPZxYT2a_MPZcCLIlxNkYC99a6IHKCpZg34qFhtmUpwpte2v-PXVSebelnrqLA8jo7UJRUH3m4T55BwfdJyBDQnUIWnkfOR03L_TjwLJ5rGasejmQXNls2HHxHcu0e0-i5lwwrsHjv_42Pyw8WAIWen-uHM495lV9PdEigLlHdEGgqDMHxgQnr4tdU=w874-h655-no)
More lumber milled out. 2x4's, 2x6's and 6x6's. Also a few 1x6 planks.
We'll need to pick up a 4' extension for my neighbor's mill in order to mill our our 18' rafters.
(https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/12046650_873387002716088_6389295136301025194_n.jpg?oh=9c3fbecc65d53c4a3927f227960daab4&oe=5663141B)
Bump on my build thread. It seems that the previous pictures are not showing up for me, can others see them?
Regardless, my build is taking a turn (as they tend to do). I'll be starting with an off-grid (no well or septic) 12x18 "bunkhouse" cabin with with a knee-wall and 12/12 pitch loft. It will eventually become the future "guest house" when I build the larger 24x24 structure (with well, septic, etc.)
My plan is to build it on PT skids, on top of a compacted rip-rap/crushed stone base. The thought is to make it "movable" in the event that long-term plans for the larger house change.
I'm going to build with PT up to the first floor deck (since it will be close to the ground), and rough-sawn from the property above that.
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/Capture1_zpsyzcxtfnk.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/Capture1_zpsyzcxtfnk.jpg.html)
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/Capture2_zpsa4ury6uo.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/Capture2_zpsa4ury6uo.jpg.html)
I'm thinking the older pictures may have been facebook-linked and that's why they are no longer showing up?
Anyhow, a couple more:
Driveway is 90% complete... almost 600' of it, and fairly steep/curvy
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/11226028_10100351838899171_6910821254768071309_o_zps5ci1c0v6.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/11226028_10100351838899171_6910821254768071309_o_zps5ci1c0v6.jpg.html)
Land clearing almost complete. Another dozen or so trees to go. Cabin will sit to the right, a little past the tractor. Hard to see from the pics, but there is a pretty good mountain view to the center-left (south-facing). Driveway comes in from the left beyond the firewood pile.
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/13912329_10100522356779971_2809062155596894391_n_zpsjfhd5fvz.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/13912329_10100522356779971_2809062155596894391_n_zpsjfhd5fvz.jpg.html)
Another, opposite view of the building lot. Cabin to go on the left, out of shot, beyond the tractor. Top of the driveway is in the middle of the shot, headed down to the right.
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/13921166_10100522356750031_5907869934856886433_n_zps9s3nu79c.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/13921166_10100522356750031_5907869934856886433_n_zps9s3nu79c.jpg.html)
I don't see any pics.
I saw the last post with pictures this afternoon but there are no pictures now?
No images visible. Neither old or new. It appears the newer ones are hosted by Google? I have no first hand experience but have heard there are "tricks" that need to be employed to allow googleusercontent images to post/view in forums.
copied from a search......
Possible workaround. When you open the page that gets created by the Get Shareable Link, can you open the image on that page and right-click on it to get the image URL? The URL should be available publicly. Can you access this link from my photos, because if so then it should work in forums too.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YPMPaxj3j2qLh2hITNsesxHNYc4FfkKLVCRV5xq6edeb=w712-h1067-no
and if that url is placed within "IMG tags" it will post here. The image tag is created when you click on the little Mona Lisa button in the forum compose message window.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YPMPaxj3j2qLh2hITNsesxHNYc4FfkKLVCRV5xq6edeb=w712-h1067-no)
I switched over to Photobucket per the instructions on this board. The directions MountainDon posted for Google Photos didn't seem to work for me.
Anyways, I fixed (I think) the image links for my 12/5/16 posts. Can someone please confirm they are able to see now?
For some reason I am unable to edit my earliest posts in this thread to fix the images... so I'll add some of the more pertinent ones here:
Property is across the street from where this picture is taken
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/10891921_10100250412937611_4877577497189759038_n_zpssiboy6jp.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/10891921_10100250412937611_4877577497189759038_n_zpssiboy6jp.jpg.html)
At the highest elevation on the property. Roughly where the cabin will be. Looking south. The road in the first pic runs left to right way down below.
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/10945663_10100266239106841_4350087317933381099_o_zpsar818dno.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/10945663_10100266239106841_4350087317933381099_o_zpsar818dno.jpg.html)
Culvert project where the driveway meets the road
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/10404857_10100312594819621_8837695907495324389_n_zpssqg3yi9z.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/10404857_10100312594819621_8837695907495324389_n_zpssqg3yi9z.jpg.html)
Driveway getting roughed in
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/11009206_10100298292037511_9094149834951216175_n_zpskovst5uf.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/11009206_10100298292037511_9094149834951216175_n_zpskovst5uf.jpg.html)
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/11147037_10100317745477661_6592269644204426061_n_zps3ji70oab.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/11147037_10100317745477661_6592269644204426061_n_zps3ji70oab.jpg.html)
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/11053531_10100317839514211_2711416878261122755_n_zpszrgdzkls.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/11053531_10100317839514211_2711416878261122755_n_zpszrgdzkls.jpg.html)
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/11750644_10100351735870641_2692964454886829740_n_zps1momfesx.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/11750644_10100351735870641_2692964454886829740_n_zps1momfesx.jpg.html)
Top of the driveway. Cabin will more or less sit where the excavator is now.
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/11233540_10100319259134281_6334494917832090182_n_zpsjztibjcq.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/11233540_10100319259134281_6334494917832090182_n_zpsjztibjcq.jpg.html)
Thanks for the recent pics. I can see the ones you posted yesterday as well as today.
Your bunkhouse build is not too far off from what I am planning for our cabin in Alaska. I'd really love to see those pics of your milling operation. I'll be hauling my bandsaw mill out this winter and starting the clearing and sawing process. One thing on my must-have list is a piece of equipment such as a tractor or tracked skid-steer loader. What model is that orange beauty? Have you encountered any limitations with it?
Yes, the pictures are showing and your progress looks good. I am interested in your 6 x 6 Skid foundation as I will be doing the same on a small 12 x 16 building I am planning for this springs. Looking forward to following your project.
Quote from: ChugiakTinkerer on December 06, 2016, 01:20:52 PM
Thanks for the recent pics. I can see the ones you posted yesterday as well as today.
Your bunkhouse build is not too far off from what I am planning for our cabin in Alaska. I'd really love to see those pics of your milling operation. I'll be hauling my bandsaw mill out this winter and starting the clearing and sawing process. One thing on my must-have list is a piece of equipment such as a tractor or tracked skid-steer loader. What model is that orange beauty? Have you encountered any limitations with it?
Thanks guys!
The mill is my neighbors. It is a Norwood and is pretty slick!
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/535292_916162988438489_5101041289254597003_n_zpsmp5yneit.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/535292_916162988438489_5101041289254597003_n_zpsmp5yneit.jpg.html)
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/14590463_1088901767831276_7901395915567717742_n_zpsojfpchts.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/14590463_1088901767831276_7901395915567717742_n_zpsojfpchts.jpg.html)
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/13254511_987639771290810_2370240801823325217_n_zpscwqmpmfi.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/13254511_987639771290810_2370240801823325217_n_zpscwqmpmfi.jpg.html)
The tractor is my fathers. It is a Kubota L5030. He has a backhoe for it, as well as a logging winch. It is a GREAT machine. We spread all of the material for my driveway (6 tri-axle loads) with it. Also pulled out A LOT of stumps, and, while it will work if you have some patience (helps to have non-rocky soil too, we dont!), it is no match for a good excavator.
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/11866446_10100364179937631_2578303937208781596_n_zpsfrxp5xvc.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/11866446_10100364179937631_2578303937208781596_n_zpsfrxp5xvc.jpg.html)
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/11891174_10100363011798591_8567488298009075898_n_zpslmw6durc.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/11891174_10100363011798591_8567488298009075898_n_zpslmw6durc.jpg.html)
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/11026087_10100315517976591_8483446935840540320_n_zpsxhlhf2n6.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/11026087_10100315517976591_8483446935840540320_n_zpsxhlhf2n6.jpg.html)
Looking for critiques on framing. I show platform framing above, but have had some (other forums) suggest balloon framing. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Also, trying to avoid collar ties as I don't want to lose the headroom in the loft. Is this possible?
One more, will 2x8 rough sawn pine be ok for the rafters or do I need to jump to 2x10?
Will you have a county inspector to contend with? If so, then he'll trump any advice you get over the net. :)
I'll be doing balloon framing. Don't want a hinge on a tall wall, especially where I won't have a loft floor to provide reinforcement.
If you make your ridge board structural, you won't need rafter ties. That means the ridge is carrying the load for half the roof, reducing the outward thrust of the rafters to zero. In theory, anyhow. You could easily accomplish a ridge beam with LVL that spans the 18', and probably even use your hand-sawn too. What is the ground snow load you are dealing with? With a structural ridge you can do away with the post in the loft. Alternatively you could support a structural ridge with the post mid-way, but for best support you would want to continue it on the first floor too. That way there is a straight line of support from the ridgeline down to the skid.
Collar ties are the ones that tie together the top of the rafters. They are meant to keep rafters from spreading due to uplift. You get the same benefit by using strapping across the ridge peak. For max headroom in the loft use rafter strapping instead of collar ties. Rafter ties are the ones that tie the bottoms of the rafters together and are meant to counter the spreading forces that would bow the walls out. If installed on the top plate they become the ceiling joists. With trusses or a structural ridge the outward thrust is negated so you don't have ti use rafter ties. This is how to get the cathedral ceiling and still meet code.
Thanks a lot for the advice! Thankfully, no building inspection process in my town! :)
In the open room, as the eave wall changes from loft to greatroom, those walls should be full height, you have a weak hinge in the wall. The tall gable is the same way, balloon frame it. Studs should run from points of lateral support, floor to floor or floor to roof.
Quote from: Don_P on December 07, 2016, 06:33:47 PM
In the open room, as the eave wall changes from loft to greatroom, those walls should be full height, you have a weak hinge in the wall. The tall gable is the same way, balloon frame it. Studs should run from points of lateral support, floor to floor or floor to roof.
Thanks Don! - I have heard the same feedback about the eave walls in the open area. I'm redesigning that now. People have also suggested that I balloon frame the whole eave wall (both sides), including the loft area, since the knee walls in the loft area also represents a "hinge" point. Your thoughts?
Regarding the tall gable with the stacked windows, I was wondering if balloon framing is best. With the windows and all the headers and king/jack studs, there wouldn't be very many full-height studs to balloon frame. Thoughts?
Quote from: Starvin on December 08, 2016, 08:42:09 AM
Thanks Don! - I have heard the same feedback about the eave walls in the open area. I'm redesigning that now. People have also suggested that I balloon frame the whole eave wall (both sides), including the loft area, since the knee walls in the loft area also represents a "hinge" point. Your thoughts?
Regarding the tall gable with the stacked windows, I was wondering if balloon framing is best. With the windows and all the headers and king/jack studs, there wouldn't be very many full-height studs to balloon frame. Thoughts?
Don_P has worked diligently to help me understand the lateral forces that work on a structure. My initial design was much like yours, and assumed platform framing for all the walls. The thing that got me thinking about continuous studs from floor to roof was when he pointed out how the effects of lateral forces from wind (or earth movement) are magnified when there is an extreme load bearing from above. Weather conditions could occur such that an accumulation of snow builds on the roof that approaches or exceeds the design roof load. As long as the walls remain in plane they hold the load. But if a sufficiently strong gust of wind deflects the wall by a couple inches it could be enough to cause the vertical support to buckle.
The solution is to make the wall stiff enough that it won't deflect that much. Not putting in a hinge line is a big help there, but the stacked windows does reduce the ability to have floor to ceiling studs. I am opting to put a stud column down the center of the wall, giving a path of direct support from the footing to the ridge beam. You might give that a try in your sketch and see if you can live with it. There are other ways of stiffening a wall, such as having 12" stud spacing, using 2x6 or 2x8 studs, and putting 3/4" sheathing on the outside and even the inside of the wall.
This all might be overkill for your bunkhouse design, but when you step outside of the prescriptions of the building code, you should so your very best to ensure that you and your family will be safe and snug inside whatever you build. Also if the gable wall isn't load bearing you can probably afford more flexibility in that wall.
EDIT TO ADD: Reading what I posted I don't think I was very clear. I am suggesting you look at changing the large window in the gable wall to two smaller windows, with a built-up stud column running up the center. This would probably only be necessary if you opt for a structural ridge that needs each end of the ridge beam to be supported adequately.
Quote from: Starvin on December 06, 2016, 03:49:03 PM
(https://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q406/ggarvin960/14590463_1088901767831276_7901395915567717742_n_zpsojfpchts.jpg) (https://s350.photobucket.com/user/ggarvin960/media/14590463_1088901767831276_7901395915567717742_n_zpsojfpchts.jpg.html)
I have to say, seeing the ox/bull/steer pulling a log is just too awesome! Who in the picture is smart like tractor?
Quote from: ChugiakTinkerer on December 08, 2016, 03:27:26 PM
I have to say, seeing the ox/bull/steer pulling a log is just too awesome! Who in the picture is smart like tractor?
Thanks! My father (right) and more-so neighbor (left, owns the mill rig) are very active in DAPNet (http://www.draftanimalpower.org/). The picture was taken at a DAPNet meet-up at a member's homestead, where teams hauled logs from the woods with animal power, and milled them for future use in building a sugarhouse.
Also, if you are tickled by that, there is a neat mini documentary about another project they did here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVkCjYjLdno