It has been quite a while since my last entry. Things have been busy but we didnt get working on the framing of the ag building for quite a awhile after the foundation was done. For one thing it was really hot out there during August and also just ended spending more time trying to get my preliminary drawings for the main house ready so the engineer could give us a proposal.
In any case once September came along we were really gung ho about starting on the framing. First thing we did was apply some Henry's Asphalt Emulsion to waterproof the areas that would be under the bales. Then we cut out and just laid out or toe-up or bottom sole plates which support the bales as well as the box column framework. These are made up of doubled up 2x6 and 2x4. The bottom layer is ACQ treated wood which is an environmental alternative to standard CCA treated wood.
Once we got the plates laid out we needed to bolt them to the foundation using 1/2" Wedge style anchor bolts. We rented a Rotary Hammer Drill to drill through the concrete then install the bolts in the respective locations. This ties the bottom plate to the foundation.
Once all the plates were tied securely to the foundation our next fun job was building the box columns that would support the beams. These box columns are made of a 4x4 column and 2x4 sheathed on both sides with OSB. I was totally shocked when I called a couple stores checking prices on 7/16" OSB or 15/32" OSB and they were 3 times higher than they were when I priced them 4 months ago. I was told it was due to the fact OSB/Plywood was being shipped to Iraq for building infrastructure, shipped to deal with Hurricanes in the south and also just happend to be in high demand from a recent rise in building. URG! Not much I could do so I just sucked it up and spent the money.
We cut all the parts that form the box column then used the amazing nail gun to put it all together. Let me just say right here that the Pneumatic Framing Nail Gun by Porter/Cable is absolutely amazing! Any nail gun for that matter. It made building more accurate, fun and definitely fast! Once we put the frame together using 3 1/2" 16d nails, we set some Solvent Free Construction Adhesive along the edge to glue/seal the OSB on then used 2 1/2" Ring Shank nails every 4" to secure it on one side. The glue is used to increase the shear resistance and also to keep bugs and water from getting in.
Well the first day we got up a just 2 and nailed them into the sole plate and braced them using 2x4. They looked great! We were really excited. The following week we came back and installed all the Column Caps which are heavy 7 guage steel caps manufactured by Simpson to hold the Glu-Lam Beams and put up the rest of the box columns. Below is a photo of one of the caps installed on the corner box column.
The following week we came back and put 2 more anchor bolts in the foot of the box columns to secure them to the foundation as well. Again we rented the Rotary Hammer to drill holes in the concrete to install the Wedge Anchors. Below is a photo of most of them up, braced and bolted to the foundation. The next step was to stuff them with Straw for insulation and put the rest of the OSB sheathing on.
Also of news this month is that we ordered the 4 Glu-Lam beams which will arrive the next week as well as the trusses which will arrive in 2 weeks! Our goal is to try and get the roof on by Dec. 1.
