Wrapped Like a Present
With the holidays upon us and snow steadily falling outside, building has slowed, but not to a halt. We are still chugging along out on Isabelle Road and are hoping to get all of the windows in this weekend. It seems that I anticipate each step of the build to be faster than it is, and it’s definitely a practice in patience and planning.
Last weekend we worked two full days screwing the rest of the sheathing into the framing, cut out the windows, and wrapped it with house wrap. Tomorrow we are going to install the 2″x2″ steel loft beams so that we can continue working, but inside with a space heater so the cold will be tolerable.
I decided to use steal square tubing to support my loft instead of the commonly used 4″x4″ wood beams. This is because I wanted to save on head space (2″) under the loft and I can use magnets to hang things from the beams themselves. I will have 6’4″ under my loft once my floor is in, and I’m very happy with that amount of space. I also like the industrial yet clean look of the steel. I got the steel cut to length and I will also have a vertical beam at the end of each of my lofts to help support my ridge beam. I got the steel beams from Trailer Made Custom Trailers Llc. They cut them for me and welded on brackets for a more simple installation in my walls. Its the same steel they used in my trailer.
It felt really great to get the house wrapped because I no longer have to worry each time a storm blows in over the Front Range.
Additionally this past week, Holly Hursley who is making a documentary inspired by my project, launched an indiegogo account to reach out for funding help on her film. It also has a preview of the documentary and I think it’s wonderful!
J eva nagel
December 17, 2015 at 9:56 pmHon, this is a tiny beautiful wonder. I wish I could walk in but your pictures are worth a 1000 words and your words are not too shabby. I love following you in this adventure. Would be easier here… We are having the warmest November -December. Keep up. I know you will! Love you.
Grace
December 24, 2015 at 4:24 pmYa girl! 😘😘
Randy Bailey
January 8, 2016 at 5:03 amIsabelle, It’s great to follow your project as Nicki and I are building our own, just east of you (we are near the largest antenna west side of I-25 off of hwy 52) Your steel frame will surely give you an advantage in weight and easily measured strength. We are finding that salvage materials, though at only a labor cost, come with even more labor to craft them into our house, named Paulie. Let me know if you need any salvage materials, we have quite a collection! Nicki talked of a May meeting you both spoke of. Let’s do it! Randy Bailey