Now it's starting to get exciting since we are beginning to see a house here instead of just a dream of a house.

May 2008 -

Steve built the doorway into the garage first then we started working on the garage sill plate.

The sill plate and stub walls are ready for I-joists.

June 2008 -

Kathy lifted the joists up to the top of the garage using the skid steer loader and our neighbor, Mike, gave us a hand putting the garage joists in place.

The garage I-joists and the tension bridging are in place

July 2008 -

Right after we finished the garage sheathing we started on the window framing. We want the windows sloped like in most earthships for maximum solar gain. The angle proved a little tricky but it turned out really well.

We felt a bit uneasy about the possibility of the sloped window frames sliding forward and, even though the plans did not call for them, we decided to install additional support in the form of Simpson ties at the bottom of the large vertical microlam boards The vertical 2x4's are temporary support..

There it is, cut to perfection and ready to install on top of the window framing.

August 2008 -

OK, the angle boards are in place over the window framing and on the north side top plate. Next are the roof I-joists.

The monsoon season is upon us as you can see from the rain clouds building in the background. That cuts our work time short so we really have to push it if we are to get the roof on by the time the snow flies.

Mike gave us a hand with the I-joists and came up with a terrific system of for placing them. He fastened old casters to some wood so we could just set the joists on top and roll them along the top plates into position.

The front dolly was a little more complex with a caster in front and one in back of the top plate and two casters to ride on the top. We were able to roll three I-joists at a time. It really worked great. Thanks Mike!

Here's Steve in the back getting ready to roll.

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