March 20: SIPs are Installed

The Thermocore SIPs arrive on island.

After a short trip to the building site, the SIPs are unloaded.

Walls! The structural panels are installed on the exterior of the timber frame.

The inside view.

On Monday, March 15, the truck carrying structural insulated panels (SIPs) arrived on island and parked at the Sea Island Sand and Gravel batch plant, where the expansive parking area made it easy to offload. SIPs were then transported to the building site a little less than a mile away. Erik, Doug and Dave Russilio (operating the crane) got right to work installing the panels on the outside walls of the main timber frame. SIPs were installed on the roof as well (no in-process images as the photographer was busy with the installation). These strong, structural insulated panels will help us conserve energy and realize energy savings of 50-70% vs. conventional framing.

February 27: The Traditional Topping Off

Kaj, Heidi and Dave appreciate the timber framing.

Jack adds his signature.

Kaj and Erik carry the signed purlin out of the workshop.
Placing the purlin.

Jack watches happily.

Chris, Matt and Karolina applaud.

Erik attaches the green branch to the highest point of the frame.

Topping off is an ancient tradition that has long been an important component of timber frame building. Thought to have originated in Scandinavia or Europe, topping off is seen as a blessing as well as a symbol of respect and good luck; thanks for a safe timber raising and to the forest for providing timber for a new home.

We celebrated completion of the main timber frame structure including roof trusses, ridge beams and purlins. One purlin, kept aside for project participants to sign, was lifted into place during the celebration. Then, Erik climbed up the southernmost truss and attached a green branch (Douglas fir) to the highest point of the structure, completing the topping off.

The celebration was exhilarating for the owners, and all who actively worked on the house were bursting with pride. Family, friends and neighbors gathered to share in the special moment.
Erik inscribed the 2010 date in the final purlin, and it was signed by:

• Erik Sircely – Designer, builder, project manager
• Doug Smith – Carpenter
• Kaj Enderlein – Bandsaw milling, timber framing consultant
• Jack Helsell – Owner, West Sound Lumber Company
• Nuñez – Sawyer, West Sound Lumber Company
• David Russillo – Structural engineer, crane operator
• Rocky Arnt – Owner, Sea Island Sand and Gravel Company
• Mary Ann and Harry Sircely – Owners

For more photos from the topping off celebration, click here.

February 24-26: Purlins are Perfect

Lifting the heavy purlin with straps to its spot near the ridge.

"Is your side going in?"

A perfect fit.

Doug and Erik get the next purlin ready for lifting.

Working up high.

A little encouragement is needed once in a while.

After the roof trusses were set, all but one of the purlins (the horizontal supports that connect the four trusses) were slid into mortises on the main roof trusses. Erik cleverly used straps to lift the purlins, and careful measuring in advance made setting them proceed with nary a hitch. The remaining purlin was set aside for the topping off ceremony...

February 22: Setting the Roof Trusses

Getting ready to lift the first truss.

The first truss starts its journey.

The first truss is being lowered into place by the crane.

Holding knee braces while the truss is set into place.

Truss #2 is ready and rigged to be lifted.

Doug guides the truss into place.

A tight fit is a good fit.

A view of the first two trusses.

The first ridge is flown in from above to connect the trusses.

The crane hook is poised for the third lift.

Truss #3 in flight.

The second crane day went smoothly and was documented by Matt Sircely, who generated hundreds of photos. It was difficult to choose only a few of the best to illustrate the process. For a Picasa album of many additional images, click here.

February 20: All is Ready for Our Arrival

The four assembled roof trusses are stacked in the living space.
A crane will lift them into place next week.

Each truss requires a complicated use of come-alongs,
which strap the trusses together with tons of pressure during assembly.

The peak is one of the first points of the truss to be secured
with serious, 14" screws with high tensile strength.

The four roof trusses are assembled and ready to fly into place next week. We'll arrive on island Tuesday afternoon (assuming we are able to catch the 3pm ferry). Erik has arranged for the crane on Wednesday, weather permitting, but if rain or wind is predicted, he'll bring the crane in on Tuesday. Can't wait!

January 29: Fitting the First Roof Truss

The first truss is assembled in the future living space. The test fitting is successful!

A closeup shows the chamfered end of the hammer beam
and a through-tenon extending from the queen post.

After weeks of working on the main walls, things seem to be progressing faster. Timbers were cut and test-fitted for the first of four hammer-beam style trusses. Work continues to create the other trusses and lift them into place sometime in February.

January 22: Next...the Floor Joists

Floor joists are in place.
See entire album.

To finish this phase of the timber framing, floor joists were seated in the housings on the summer beams. The joists will support the floor of the master suite and remain exposed in the kitchen below. For more views of the floor joists and the raising of the walls, click here.

January 20: An Exhilarating Day

The east wall is lifted, guided and seated on steel pins.

Both east and west walls are up and braced; a summer beam flies in from the right.

Rex is at home in the living space.

View more photos in the Picasa album: Timber Raising

It was an awesome sight on Wednesday as a crane lifted the timber walls. The results were thrilling for everyone involved. Careful calculations, cutting, shaping and pre-fitting of joints meant only two last-minute adjustments needed to be made as all the elements slipped into place, plumb and level as could be. First the east wall was lifted and temporarily braced, followed by the west wall. The summer beams were fitted, along with their knee braces, completing the structure by tying the girt walls together. Meanwhile, temporary braces were removed. An awesome sight indeed! Click here for more photos.

January 15: Stacked and Ready to Lift

Soon the crane will lift the walls into place.

Strongbacks reinforce the girts during the lift.

The east wall is now assembled - on top of the west wall in mirror image - and ready for the crane lift next week. 'Strongbacks,' the 2x material screwed to the outside faces of the girts (horizontal structural timbers), have been attached to add a little stability during the lift - they will then be removed. Hoping for good weather for Crane Day on Wednesday!

January 13: West Wall Comes Together

Admiring the west wall assembly.

After weeks of cutting, shaping and fitting timbers, the west wall is assembled and ready for the crane to come and lift it into place. Before that happens sometime next week, the east wall will be assembled - on top of the west wall but facing the other direction, a mirror image.