From The Ground Up

And then it was time to make it 3D.  The framers came in and made quick work of putting the walls up. 

To go along with the theme of each layer being linked to the last, ’ll have to give a verbal description of how that was accomplished since I don’t have a picture.  While the concrete of the foundation was still wet, large hooked bolts were sunk into it.  These bolts were used to secure the stud walls to the floor along with numerous hurricane straps.  They also placed a styrofoam-like layer between the concrete and wood.  I don’t know, but my guess is that this was an additional moisture barrier or served as insulation.

Front view

Back and side view

Gaining privacy with plywood.

The faces that will welcome you when you visit.

Pretending to use every potty in the house is a favorite pastime, as is collecting nails.

Lifting the bonus room trusses into place.  They were built off site, hauled in (they looked HUGE on the ground), then lifted into place with the crane.

Hurricane anchors and straps (maybe I’m using the right terms :) ) secured the trusses and plywood roof to the walls, along with endless numbers of screws, of course.

We had a giant hole in the middle of our house for quite awhile while they worked on the remainder of the house, and then they did THIS:

They placed a ladder on the second story ledge on either side spanning our living room then simultaneously carried a 400 pound beam up the ladder, partially secured it on some 2x4s, carried up a second beam, then fully secured the two beams together.  Jacob and I happened to be home during this and I was so scared for these guys that I wanted to go back inside, yet I couldn’t make myself leave in case they had a horrific accident.  It was intense, but all survived.  Even me.

Just when I thought they’d finished the scary stuff, they set their ladders up like you see in the above two pictures and then walked across those catwalks!  I’m glad I missed that part.

Back view.

Front view.  It’s taking shape!

The center peak.  Very cool.  And very crazy!

The center peak again.  Getting closer.

Our view looking in.  Isn’t it grand?