October 2019

October 19, 2019July 6, 2021

Insulation Starts

Day #106

October 6, 2019 – Sunday, day of rest…almost. There was not enough time to get the next roof section started so we decided to start the insulation. Off to Lowe’s we went. A little later we returned with several bundles of insulation. We have three different size cavities so we got one bundle of each to start. R-30, R-19 and R-13 basic, faced fiber glass insulation. It’s the itchy stuff.

Click here for more information on R-Values.

With all the new roof framing there are numerous joist spaces that are open to the outside. Bugs and birds of all sorts have been coming in and out through these openings. Today we started filling them in with the appropriate size insulation.

R19 Fill — Filling the ceiling joist space above the exterior wall.

Gable End — Stuffing the spaces at the gable end.

Roof Rafter Cavities — Filling the roof rafter spaces along the rear exterior wall.

The final insulation will be installed after all the electrical wiring is complete. Filing these little spaces, atop the exterior wall between roof rafters should cut down on the drafts and help reduce the invasion of all the critters.

Next weekend I’ll start the framing on the last porch roof section. Our goal is to get the metal roofing on the whole project before the snow flies. We’ll be cutting it close.

October 10, 2019July 7, 2021

Roof Decking, Felt Paper & Shingle Demo

Day #105

October 5, 2019 – Looks like nice weather today. We will be working on the plywood roof decking and felt paper on porch roof, section three. My Tinnler Roofing crew is here doing some shingle demo, taking off old siding and relocating termites. Should be a good day!

Yesterday, before arriving at the Cot-Taj-Mahal I made the obligatory trip to Lowe’s for supplies. I got twelve sheets of plywood for the roof decking and three rolls of 30lb felt paper.

Roof Decking & Felt Paper — Plywood roof decking and felt paper.

The plywood roof decking installation went off without a hitch.

Porch Roof Section 3 — Porch roof section three.

Roof Decking — Approaching the top of the roof.

As I was installing the decking my peeps from Tinnler were stripping the shingles off the last roof section and putting them in the dumpster. It was a well coordinated endeavor.

Tinnler Roofing — Shingle demo on the roof section four.

Tinnler On The Job — Cleaning up the shingles.

After the plywood was complete, I rolled out the roofing felt.

Felt Paper

Working into the evening I covered the entire section. Before coming down off the roof I had to dry in the last section with the blue tarps. We are expecting rain tomorrow and I’d like to keep as much of it out of the Cottage as I can.

It was indeed a good day. We managed to finish the third section of the porch roof. Only one section remains and then we can put on the metal roofing. The deck is looking bigger and better every weekend.

October 7, 2019July 7, 2021

Rinse and Repeat Day Two

Day #104

September 29, 2019 – Rinse and repeat day two. The roof framing in section three continues with the installation of the second span roof rafters.

First I remove the top rows of oak roof planking to gain access to the ridge board. Next I connect the new roof rafters to the existing ridge board with galvanized rafter hangers. The hangers are Simpson Strong-Tie adjustable 2×8 hangers.

Existing Ridge Board - Rinse and Repeat Day Two — Removing top rows of oak roof planking to access the ridge board.

New Rafters - Rinse and Repeat Day Two — New rafters fastened to ridge board with galvanized hangers.

The opposite end of the second span rafter sits on the mid span knee wall. It is nailed to both the knee wall and the first span rafter.

2nd Span Roof Rafters — 2nd span roof rafter sit on the mid span knee wall. Rinse and repeat day two.

Eleven rafters complete this section. As always, the last thing that needs done is placing the blue tarps to keep everything nice and dry until next weekend.

Section Three Roof Rafters — Porch roof section three roof rafters complete.

Next weekend I will install the plywood roof decking and cover this section with 30 lb. roofing paper. After that, it is on to the last section, section four. Hip Hip Hooray!

October 4, 2019July 6, 2021

Rinse and Repeat Day Number One

Day #103

September 28, 2019 – This weekend I will rinse and repeat the construction sequence that I used on the porch roof section 2. These next couple of posts should be pretty short. Just a brief re-hash.

I finished up the solid blocking between the ceiling joists.

Solid Blocking - Rinse and Repeat — Solid blocking between porch ceiling joists.

Next came the obligatory trip to Lowe’s for framing lumber. My canoe trailer works out great for hauling 16′ pieces of lumber.

With a fresh supply of lumber, I constructed the mid span knee wall on sawhorses. After it is framed up I lift it onto the roof, over the outside wall, and nail it in place.

Knee Wall Framing - Rinse and Repeat — Constructing the mid span knee wall on sawhorses.

With the knee wall in place I set the first span of roof rafters. This is a nice view of the Lookout and the river.

Knee wall & Rafters - Rinse and Repeat — Mid span knee wall and first span of the roof rafters.

This takes us to the end of rinse and repeat day number one. Tomorrow I’ll continue the second span of rafters in this section. Stay tuned….

First Span Roof Rafters — End of the day. First span roof rafters complete. Placing tarps to keep it dry.

It’s very exciting to be approaching the completion of the framing for the porch roof. It is going to be quite an awesome space!