My Construction Album

[Falcon05Dad]

I've begun construction of my new garage in White County TN about halfway between Nashville and Knoxville. It'll be a 42'x32' with a loft where I'll live as I GC our future home build. It sits on five acres which will be our retirement spot.

I'm using floor trusses to eliminate posts and to provide a 12'6" ceiling for a future two post lift. Walls will be 2"x6" construction and the roof will be a 12/12 pitch with three dormers in front and a shed dormer across the back. There will be 18'x8' and 10'x10' garage doors with a 3'0" entry door. The floor will be 5" thick using 4000 psi concrete over a 4'x4' matrix of rebar.

My ongoing construction album can be found at: http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x228/gaynog/ and use the guest password TNVols

Pictures are ordered newest first. Weather permitting, the floor should be poured Thursday or Friday (May 10/11) and framing will begin next week.

Hope you enjoy the pics as much as I'm having fun with the build.

Greg

 

[thammel]

Wow,

Great plans and a great place! Keep taking the photos - you will love them when you're all done. You'll have a great garage to go with your new house. I wonder how long you'll live in the garage . That could go on longer than anticipated, but it sounds like it'll be a great place. The problem is that I didn't think women were allowed in garages!

Tom

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Thanks, Tom. I hope to get started on the house by October. It's going to be constructed using structural insulated panels (SIPs) over a walkout basement made of insulated concrete forms (ICFs) so the shell will go up quickly. I think if all goes well, I can get it done by late summer '08.

My "sugar mama" wife is holding down the fort (and a job with health insurance) in OH while contracting the garage and house is my "job" for now. I retired from NCR Corp. last December. Although occasional weekend visits are made, she really comes down to see our two year old grandson. It's much easier for me to scoot up I-75 for a few days.

Thanks for nice comments and I'll definitely keep the pictures going. At my age it's too easy to forget what I've been doing.

 

[V-10 Killer]

Hmm, I can't see them. Asks me for username and password...
Anyway, it sounds like it'll be pretty sweet!

 

[mickeypat]

White County, are we talking Sparta? That is a beautiful area.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

V-10 Killer,
When you click on the link in my original post, it should pop a screen showing the username gaynog already displayed and asking you for a password. Otherwise, copy the link and paste it into your browser. Multiple people have already been successful using it, so I don't think it's a mistake in my post.

mickeypat,
Yes, just north of Sparta. My son-in-law is a local Sparta boy who came back after school to establish a law practice.

 

[autoist]

North of Sparta means Cookeville...I go through there from time to time on the way to our farm on Dale Hollow Lake!

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Hi Tony,

We're about 10mi. south of Cookeville. It's about a 40 minute drive to Dale Hollow. I drive past DH as I go to/from our home in OH. I bet you have a lot of fun there.

Greg

 

[V-10 Killer]

V-10 Killer,
When you click on the link in my original post, it should pop a screen showing the username gaynog already displayed and asking you for a password. Otherwise, copy the link and paste it into your browser. Multiple people have already been successful using it, so I don't think it's a mistake in my post.

Cool, I got it this time. I didn't notice you had a guest password under the link

I'm suprised how many people I see pouring footings without footer boards. Is it difficult to keep the footing level all the way around?

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Glad you got to the album, V-10 Killer.

Leveling wasn't too tough at all. Prior to pouring the footer, you sink a few grade stakes at each "step" down from the high to low point and then just level the concrete to the top of the grade stake. The block mason then fixes any minor issues with his first course.

Our footer was roughly 24" wide and 10" deep, but was stepped up a little over 2' from the lowest point to the highest. I titled one of the pictures that show the bulkhead forms which define each level of the tiered footer. As you can see in the pics, there's four block high on the front left side and just one at the back right.

Had we been doing this back in OH, the footer would have been much deeper.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Threat of rain cancelled the pour for today. My cement finisher said it wasn't worth the risk, so we'll try again next Tuesday. It was the correct decision but pretty darned frustrating.

Greg

 

[Falcon05Dad]

The concrete pour is done and new pics have been added! It happened without me on Monday. A cancellation on my finisher's schedule allowed him to move me up, but I was coming back from OH after spending Mother's Day with my mom and mother-in-law.

We're water curing it for the next couple of days and are concentrating now on temporary electrical and a septic system installation to begin Thursday or Friday. A new power pole was installed by the local co-op yesterday and I need to get a trench dug to a new underground service transformer being installed nearby. All underground paths are the property owner's responsibility. My electrician can then get the temporary set and tied into the grid. Framing will begin immediately thereafter.

Stay tuned.....

 

[V-10 Killer]

Looks great!
I wish I was that far along.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

New pics are up on the Photobucket album.

Today we completed the septic system install after a successful inspection, dug a 250' trench (4' deep) and installed the underground conduit w/pull rope for the electrical service. After a good inspection we filled in the trench and graded the site.

We'll get our temporary electric service either Friday or Tuesday and framing will start in a week. The floor trusses arrive tomorrow (5/22) and the rest of the framing package will arrive next Tuesday.

We're getting close to the smell of new lumber.

Greg

 

[snorvet]

Looks great. I like the cut stone look on the block.

 

[mshedb]

The concrete pour is done and new pics have been added! . . .

We're water curing it for the next couple of days . . .

Stay tuned.....

Looks great. How did the water curing go? Did you run the sprinklers 24/7 to keep it wet? I didn't see any dams built around the edges, so I'm guessing you just let them run. I'm trying to come up with a plan to keep mine wet for a week once it's poured (26x32').

 

[Falcon05Dad]

mshedb,

I ran a sprinkler 24x7 for three days. While the first water bill will probably be a doozie (they initially thought there was a leak ), I think it's a good insurance policy for the 27 yards of concrete. Had I been a bit more prepared, I would have constructed a dam system of some type. It would have saved a bunch of water.

Good luck with your pour.

Greg

 

[Falcon05Dad]

New pics are up of the first two days of framing. It's going well and I'm really happy with the decision to use wall trusses. Roof trusses will arrive on Monday and my framing sub says the building will be under roof by the end of next week.

Greg

 

[wayoff]

I was a little suspicious of the of the username Gaynog, but those pictures are awesome! Very nice build.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

I guess you were "wayoff" on your suspicions. Thanks for checking out the photos. It's really neat watching it take shape.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Day #3 pics are posted. The first floor framing is complete. No work done today, but the flooring on the second level goes on tomorrow, followed by outside walls and roof trusses.

 

[slghmmr88]

Just found out about this forum from Hotrodders.com and I really like what I see. Cool garage and I will be waiting for more progress reports

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Roof trusses went up today. There are "piggybacks" to add to some of them, but the latest Photobucket pics will give you a good idea of the final shape - both on the exterior and inside on the second floor. We're figuring about 925 sq ft. upstairs. There will be a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchenette (w/small fridge and a microwave), and open living area that will serve as both lounging space and office.

Tomorrow, we'll stick build the end gables, frame the dormers, and start the roof decking.

Greg

 

[walt111]

You can not see the album from the first post the site says it is private.
wrench

 

[walt111]

wrench needs to have his eyes tested when you read all the instructions it works. Great looking building in TN you are ahead of me I want to move to TN so bad I can taste it. Need to sell this CA house to be able to move.
wrench

 

[Falcon05Dad]

The end gables were stick built today and housewrapping begun. We didn't get as much done as hoped because of the awkwardness of sheathing the gables. Trying to arrange for a one day lift rental. I've agreed to split the cost with the framing contractor to make it easier, but most of all safer.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Roof decking completed today, but maybe just temporarily....My framer is not happy with one of the end gables not being exactly plumb. He thought he was going to be able to pull it in with the decking, but it didn't happen. A bummer, yes, but he was very open with me and he wants it to be right.

Greg

 

[V-10 Killer]

Man that is a HUGE garage!

 

[Falcon05Dad]

That's what everyone who's seen it in person has said, too. It's a touch over 30' to the peak. I wanted to make sure I'd be happy with my last garage and I'm really pleased at this point. Also, since I'm residing in both Ohio and Tennessee for now, I wanted some decent living arrangements while I oversee the building of our house here in TN that we'll begin in Sept./Oct.

Today was dormer day. Most of the windows arrive on Monday and then I'll order the garage doors to be installed the following week. I've got to make color decisions for siding and metal roof soon, too.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Tomorrow may be the last full day of framing. The back wall windows were installed, the roof is closed up (gable problem fixed), and the dormers completed. A bit more Tyvec needs to go up, along with the dormer windows and the entry door installed. The gable windows are two weeks away, as are the garage doors. The roof will go up as soon as The Boss (wife) and I can decide on colors (roof and vinyl).

Had a nice visit from the chief of the local VFD, which is less than 1/4 mile from our property. He welcomed me to the neighborhood and advised me that a couple of time each month starting in the Fall, we'll hear some gunfire from the firehouse grounds. As a fundraiser, they hold "turkey shoots". It's rural TN, remember. It'll be fun to see.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

A rain shortened workday today, but we made some progress inside and out. We put up knee walls between the dormers and around the stairs, and got the dormer windows installed. The entry door arrived this morning so we'll install it tomorrow.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Sorry, but I've been slow updating you on my progress. We were slowed down by the schedules of some of my subs. However, we're moving forward now. The plumbing rough-in is complete, as are the garage doors. Roofing began today and my sub says he'll be done on Thursday, Friday at the latest. I'll fly in the drywall for the upstairs next week after the roof in on and then install the last two windows. Siding has been selected and I'm getting installation bids. Electrical work will begin as soon as the roof is done.

 

[christian]

Lookin good!

 

[Falcon05Dad]

If any of you are in an area that needs rain, I'm starting a new career as a rainmaker. It seems all I have to do is start a roofing job and it rains sometime during the day. Three partial days of roofing and three days of rain so far. I can't get too upset because here in Middle TN we really need it. Most of the drip edge and flashing of the dormers is done, so hopefully tomorrow I'll post some pictures of the metal going up.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

I'm four for four with rain, but the three dormers now have metal roofing and the front side of the roof should be done by EOD Friday. We're finally getting to the point where rain rolls off the roof instead of down through it.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

With their batteries recharged after a week of vacation, the roofing crew got the front finished and will complete the back side tomorrow. They can really get it going when they just have straight runs.

 

[PAToyota]

That is really looking great! Wish I had done a metal roof when I did mine, but didn't have the money at the time. Maybe when I reroof I'll go that route.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Thanks, PAToyota. The roof is going to cost me a total of $6500 in material and labor. The metal comes with a 40 yr. guarantee and it's backed by a company with a 100+ year history, Wheeling Corrigated/Pittsburgh Steel. The local supplier of the metal even guarantees the work of the crew I hired to put it on because the guys are very thorough.

I think I'm spending $1000-$1500 more than a 30 yr. guarantee shingle job but I know it will not have to be touched again in my lifetime. I'm very happy with my decision. The house that I'll build next will have the same material on it, as well.

Can't wait to start siding it.

Greg

 

[PAToyota]

I think I'm spending $1000-$1500 more than a 30 yr. guarantee shingle job but I know it will not have to be touched again in my lifetime.

Well, I ended up doing mine myself, so that was the other cost factor. Did the whole roof for 24'x40' for under $1000. Doing a metal roof myself just wasn't an option...

 

[Falcon05Dad]

I'm 56. There's no way I'd ever think about getting up on my 12/12 pitched roof with its 34 foot peak....shingles or metal. I'm just watching from below.