Roof Sheathing 2

Today started out cold and covered in wet, but clear and pretty.

I took this next picture hoping it would be the last time I would see the JayBee covered in tarps. So much for my eagerness...

Same crew, same project. We picked up where we left off yesterday. We started by sheathing the dormers. Arlen and Dale did the installing; I did the cutting down on the ground. For extra strength and stability, we used construction adhesive and screws to install all the sheathing.

We finished! All the sheathing is installed. The east end is trimmed but the west end still needs trimming. After I do that, we can get the underlayment put down. Once the underlayment is installed, I can stop covering the JayBee with tarps. In the meantime...it sort of looks the same, doesn't it? Feels a whole lot different, though. Feels like progress.

Also see:

Roof Sheathing 1
Roof Sheathing 3

Roof Sheathing 1

Roof sheathing day!

We began by pulling all the tarps off the JayBee. The JayBee hadn't been completely uncovered for over three years. She looked naked!

We quickly figured out a routine. While Arlen and Dale installed a piece of sheathing (Arlen up in the rafters, Dale on a ladder on the outside), I cut the next piece of sheathing on the ground. Leave it to me to have a roof design that requires that every single piece of sheathing be cut; none of them got installed as a whole 4' x 8' sheet. Even so, the work moved along quickly.

We worked four hours, and got more than half the roof done. The east end and two dormers are left to do. If the current rain clears out by morning, we hope to finish up tomorrow!

Also see:
Roof Sheathing 2
Roof Sheathing 3

Roof Framing Wrap-Up

I have some generous people joining me this weekend to help with installing roof sheathing. To that end, I have to finish up all the roof-framing odds and ends. First, I trimmed the rafter tails on the southeast corner.

Then, I trimmed the rafter tails on the northeast corner--so the trimming on the whole east end was done.

Next, I installed blocking all around the east end.

Notice my "helper" up on the east-end bumpout?

Half done...

The blocking on the whole east end is done.

I still have five blocks to install--one on the south side, and four on the north side. I also have to trim the rafter tails on the west end. It's raining today, so it will have to get done tomorrow!

I learned today that I lost my lumber guy. Funny how I thought of Tim at Hammond Lumber as "my lumber guy." He was friendly, helpful, and non-judgmental--just what I needed when putting together lumber orders for my JayBee. Anyway, he has moved to Florida. Tim was also a regular follower of my blog. So, Tim, if you're reading this: Thank you for the help and support. I hope you have fun and a great life in Florida. Even though it seems like it is taking me forever, I will finish this build. I hope you keep following along.

Update: I did get everything done (except trimming the rafter tails on the west end) before we began installing roof sheathing.

Also see:
Roof Rafters 1
Roof Rafters 2
Roof Rafters 3
Roof Rafters 4
Roof Rafters 5
Roof Rafters 6
Roof Rafters 7
Roof Rafters 8
Roof Rafters 9
Roof Rafters 10
Roof Rafters 11
Roof Rafters 12
Roof Rafters 13
Roof Rafters 14
Roof Rafters 15
Roof Rafters 16
Roof Rafters 17
Roof Rafters 18
Roof Rafters 19
Roof Rafters 20

Miscellaneous photos--for your entertainment:

I really liked the light on this day:

I am calling my feet "tiger feet" these days. I have worn the same sandals (Keens with a great toe box and good, grippy soles) for so many months now, my feet have developed a very distinctive tan pattern. See who is trying to steal the shot?

That same buddy--on a walk to the waterfront.

Some of the critters that have visited me this week:

Bear just couldn't stand being left out of the action recently.

So, up he climbed.

When he had had enough, he complained a bit--until, finally, he found his way down again.

Roof Rafters 20

Adding rafters to the north side of the east end of the JayBee...here's the first one.

Then the second one...

...and, then, (tra la la!) the last one!

It may be a bit early to celebrate (I still have to trim the rafter tails and install a whole lot of blocking), but it feels momentous just the same.

Also see:

Roof Rafters 1

Roof Rafters 2

Roof Rafters 3

Roof Rafters 4

Roof Rafters 5

Roof Rafters 6

Roof Rafters 7

Roof Rafters 8

Roof Rafters 9

Roof Rafters 10

Roof Rafters 11

Roof Rafters 12

Roof Rafters 13

Roof Rafters 14

Roof Rafters 15

Roof Rafters 16

Roof Rafters 17

Roof Rafters 18

Roof Rafters 19
Roof Framing Wrap-Up

Roof Rafters 19

I have been installing roof rafters on the east end of the JayBee this week. Once we got past the 93% humidity on Tuesday, it's been a nice week!

First east-end rafter...

Second east-end rafter...

As seen from the inside...

Third east-end rafter, and the last one on this side.

Three more rafters on the other side, and I'll be done with rafters! Well, I will still have to trim the west-end and east-end rafters, and I will have a bunch of blocking to install, but still--it will be momentous.

Also see:
Roof Rafters 1
Roof Rafters 2
Roof Rafters 3
Roof Rafters 4
Roof Rafters 5
Roof Rafters 6
Roof Rafters 7
Roof Rafters 8
Roof Rafters 9
Roof Rafters 10
Roof Rafters 11
Roof Rafters 12
Roof Rafters 13
Roof Rafters 14
Roof Rafters 15
Roof Rafters 16
Roof Rafters 17
Roof Rafters 18
Roof Rafters 20
Roof Framing Wrap-Up


I have some hanging flower baskets in my yard that have looked very pretty all summer long.

Solar Energy Course

I am currently taking an online course called Solar Energy. By the end, I'm supposed to know enough to design a photovoltaic system for the JayBee.

The course syllabus estimates that the coursework will take roughly eight hours a week to complete. I have already spent more time than that, and I'm only halfway through the material for the first week! I also roped my son into helping me understand some of the practice questions. Maybe not strong harbingers of future success, but at least I am enjoying it so far.