Housebuilding Week 6: Raise the Roof

Hi Friend,

Things are moving along here. The outside walls are totally framed out and sheathed. We decided to frame for 3 big windows upstairs, even if a bit of the rafters show. If I had my druthers, I would have sized them a wee bit smaller for better proportions, but the design with the medium-sized windows wasn't quite to my liking. So I'm making the best of it.

We're getting there! Sheathing, Typar, foam - and a big view from upstairs!

Dolan and Judah were swinging from the rafters to install the roof sheathing. Almost every single board could be installed from inside the house - and they were creating shade for themselves at the same time. So double-win. It's really starting to feel like shelter!

Tait and Isaac installed the little support posts, which add some extra compressive strength

Isaac, Tait, and Eden are putting up the Typar house wrap, which will help to keep water out, and it is also breathable to allow water vapor to escape if it does enter. Next, they've started putting up the 4x8 foam panels. On the walls, we'll be using a layer of 2" foam, followed by a layer of 1", so that we can overlap the seams and get better energy efficiency. We're still experimenting with the best way to cut through the foam; the process of cutting it sounds easier than it has proven to be, unfortunately. But they're plugging away.

Mapping out our foam board installation at our morning meeting

The north and east sides of the house with the first row of insulation

On the social side of things, we attended a friend's old-world-style Byzantine Catholic wedding, complete with crowns, chanting, and a processional down the streets of Hudson, Ny. It's the fourth wedding we've attended this year (still two more to go!), and each one has been beautiful and unique. We also found time to slink down to the underground lounge at the Red Lion Inn to watch a guitarist-friend play with his jazz band. They were great!

Jordan calls a few contra dances at her friend's wedding reception

The crew takes a break to listen to jazz

I had a couple of crazy lost & found moments. First, I realized that I had lost Anna's shoe after a trip to Home Depot a couple of weeks ago. I returned to Home Depot this past week, and as I went to get a cart in the parking lot, I looked down and saw the shoe on the ground next to the carts! I couldn't believe it. Then on Saturday, on our way to the wedding, I stupidly took out one of my pearl earrings to pop open the SIM card holder on my new phone. I forgot that the earring was in my lap when we pulled over in a random place, and I jumped out to fix Lauren's hair. It was a couple hours later that a friend pointed out I only had one earring on. So on the way home, we scoured Union Street in Hudson, when Mickey miraculously found the earring - and its back - stuck in the mud on the sidewalk. Double-win again!

Though one thing we are still missing is the box of 9-inch gutter spikes we need to attach the 6" of foam to the rafters. We were supposed to receive it with our last shipment, but we haven't found it yet ... but I'm hopeful!

My little tree-huggers

Until next time,

xo

P.S. I didn't hear back from anyone about my siding question about smooth or rough side out. But maybe some of you will have experience with painting vs staining the siding of a house. Our main house has painted clapboard siding. The detached barn has stained novelty / drop siding (with a smooth surface). If I want to put the smooth side out on this vertical siding, would paint protect it better / last longer, do you think?

P.P.S. Since my old phone died, I have lost almost all of my contacts. So if you send me a text, please re-introduce yourself; all I see now is a list of unfamiliar phone numbers!

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