Completing the Gable End Wall and Beam and Purlin System
This week we started sheeting the gable end wall. It's a big wall and nailing the sheeting was a bit of a task. My son is steadying the 8' step ladder while I lean over the top nailing the upper portion of the sheeting.
This sure isn't a job for anyone that's afraid of heights.
A nail gun comes in handy for this work.
The areas that couldn't be reached from the inside were nailed from the outside. Local building codes usually dictate how sheeting is to be nailed and inspectors will check to make sure it's done correctly.
Now that the wall is sheeted we can install the final 8 purlins. This could have been done prior to sheeting the wall but it was easier for us to sheet the wall first.
The ridge purlin is lagged into place. It helps if you don't look down when you're up that high. If you're not used to working at heights like this the key is to take it slow and easy. Safety is the main concern when you're doing this much work yourself. Remember if you get hurt all progress will come to a screeching halt till you're able to work again. Given the size of this project, we're going to have all we can do to get it done in the 12 months allotted so safety is paramount.
Here's a shot of the entire beam and purlin system finished. From this view it looks complicated but it's really not. If nothing else it is impressive though.
		Here's a look at the wall with the purlins installed. It's not finished yet though. There's still more sheeting necessary to finish this little project.
	With the purlins in place we can now install blocking between the purlins and finish the sheeting of the wall.
The blocking is sheeted and when finished the wall will be solid to the top of the purlins and complete. This wall was more of a job than we had anticipated but it came out pretty nice. Once the final sections of sheeting are installed we will be able to turn our attention to building the walls in the bonus room.
The finished wall from the inside. The sections where you see the flat 2x6's is where there will be intersecting walls. Those will come after the roof is installed and the second floor system is complete.
The completed wall from the outside. After the framing inspection we will be covering this wall and the back wall with house wrap to seal out the wind. After that the log siding can be installed.
That's it for this week. Next week we'll be completing the walls in the bonus room. If we have time we'll be doing some preliminary electrical work that's necessary prior to installing the tongue and groove finished ceiling and roof.
						Check back soon.