We're thrilled to be back at the Mad County Standard barndominium build. We are ready to delve into the intricacies of creating a storyboard or template, prepping columns, and framing not one, not two, but three walls of the house, along with a detailed walkthrough of the garage wall.
To kick things off, we meticulously set the ground floor to zero, a crucial starting point for our construction endeavors. Our footings are in place, and our mission is to identify the highest one. Why, you ask? Well, that highest point becomes our reference, our baseline for leveling all other columns. With a laser, we navigate each pier, determining the necessary adjustments to align with our base grade. Precision is key here, and we're marking these adjustments on each pier.
Transitioning to the realm of column templates, I mark two inches of polystyrene and five inches of concrete, we aim for a seamless integration of insulation. Here's the strategy – the insulation snugly sits over the pier, ensuring a full 100% coverage. Why go through this meticulous process? If the pier were at grade, insulation coverage would be compromised. Our grade board, however, goes below, shielding and preserving the insulation. This sets the stage for what will be the starting point of our finished floor. Now, why 37 inches? It's not arbitrary; it's the center of our wainscot board. With a one-inch base trim, 36-inch wainscoting, this strategic placement allows for a clean and effective installation of panels.
Moving on to the practical aspects of heel height – an important consideration in our truss placement. With an 18-inch overhang factored in, we mark out an 8-inch heel height. This is where the truss will seamlessly find its place. We always want accuracy and efficiency in our construction process.
With the groundwork laid, we transition into the tangible process of prepping columns and framing + lifting walls. The agenda includes standing a wall, constructing another, and completing the end wall. These are 18-foot sidewalls, and our goal was to lift all four columns, inside columns, together. We meticulously nailed everything together, secured our straps, and then went through the process of cutting and laying out all our eight-foot boards. We've taken the time to measure across the wall, ensuring equality at both the top and bottom. This meticulous approach is crucial to achieving a well-aligned and perfectly plumb wall. The result? A wall that is not only structurally sound but also visually appealing.
Our measured precision has yielded positive results right from the start. We were able to get all our goals complete for the day. We have three walls up and the final one laid out. This strategic planning sets the stage for a seamless continuation of our construction journey.
We strategically moved and erected a wall for the garage. This decision was made to ensure it wouldn't hinder the placement of trusses and maintain a clean and efficient workspace. We prepared the purlins and commenced setting the trusses in place. Our use of straps plays a crucial role in this process. First, they guide each truss into its designated spot on either side. Second, they assist in the smooth raising and lowering of our large nailer, making the truss installation process more manageable. Third, they securely lock the truss in place. Finally, the straps aid in ensuring the building is squared, contributing to a straight alignment of the fascia.
Moving on to the purlins, we employ a staggered approach using 18-foot and 20-foot purlins. The 20-footers are strategically placed on the ends for overhang, while the 18-footers fill the middle for a foot overlap on each side. Notably, we butt the top and bottom rows of purlins, adding a splice and securing them to the truss for structural integrity.
We haven’t installed our fascia boards and bottom grade boards yet, this allows for smoother access in and out of the workspace. Once the garage is fully framed, we'll return to add fascia boards, grade board, and more finishing touches. Since the house is all framed, we can begin framing the garage. That process looks very similar to how it did with the house.
Thank you,
MR Post Frame
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