In the 1800s, “raise the roof” meant to make a ruckus. In the 1990s, it was a hit song. But in 2023, on the 46th parallel at Huron Bay, we are literally raising a roof. It’s moving right along.
The house trusses are all up and sheeting covers them. A weatherproof layer has been added to half the roof. For days now, it’s been the dogged work of a small crew with the help of a nifty rented machine that can raise cumbersome items to the roof a lot faster than humans alone can do. The emergence of the Cabin at Many Moons continues below…
Dan is the guy who ground our concrete foundation weeks ago. He also owns this nifty machine called a SkyTrak Telehandler, which…well…lifts and moves things. And things started to move much more quickly when he showed up. See how easily it picks up a truss?
Jeff helps guide a truss into place with a rope.
Preparing to put the last truss in place….
And it’s done! All the bones of the roof are up.
The east wall with all the main trusses in place. A porch roof will be added here later.
This is what the east wall looks like when it’s covered by sheeting. The 2nd-story windows will be cut out later.
The south-wall covered porch is beginning to take shape, now that the roof trusses are in place.
The attic has started to take shape too. It will also be a loft…and we’re not sure yet what else.
The flat sheeting went up next on the north side. Sheeting acts kind of like our skin’s hypodermis, or bottom layer.
A peek through the roof before the last piece of sheeting is placed on the north.
A layer of weatherguard was put on top of the sheeting, acting like our skin’s dermis or middle layer. The shingles will lay on top of this like our skin’s epidermis or outer layer.
This rather jarring site caught my eye before the east wall was covered up…the rope used to haul trusses to the roof, left dangling after its work was done. The history of this symbol is too disturbing to joke about in public, but I did joke to myself that it’s my way out if the building process becomes too much!
While work on the cabin continued, the seiche (inland tide) was busy, too. This log moved back and forth for days. When it came close, I waded in to grab it. A big iron spike protruded from it. Hazard to navigation, I think! (After months on a boat, your mind goes there.)
Roscoe the Siberian Husky gets his regular walks, even during all this busy-ness…
…and we found time for a quick sunset cruise on the bay. Sometimes words are inadequate…
Cabin? That’s a gorgeous house, noose and all! Can’t wait to see it roofed and cladded. Amazing progress, Mary! And that adorable mascot, Roscoe–he is such a super dawgster.
I’m curious about some of the other aspects of this project, like design. Did you design it yourself or buy plans or something in between? Also, what is the permitting process like in your area?
Something in between. We began with rough sketches of our own, reflecting my preferred style and priorities and conversations with zoning administrator. A former general contractor/neighbor helped turn it into a Building Plan. A truss company of engineers turned it into a set of trusses to match our design. Then I chose windows and doors and jeff created the wall frame accordingly. He built his own house and cabin years ago so knew the process, pretty much…but it’s rather painstaking (if interesting) for me. I gather this is an unusual way to do it, and depends heavily on jeff’s know-how. As to the permitting process! What fun. 😆 Learning that was one of my first challenges. On-line options have made it easier, but still a pain. I gather the fees are not as bad here as in some places in the country. Inspectors in this sparsley populated region cover a huge area so sometimes we have to wait for them. They have been helpful though.
For Many Moons 
Things are definitely moving along, or should I say up? 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cabin? That’s a gorgeous house, noose and all! Can’t wait to see it roofed and cladded. Amazing progress, Mary! And that adorable mascot, Roscoe–he is such a super dawgster.
LikeLike
I’m curious about some of the other aspects of this project, like design. Did you design it yourself or buy plans or something in between? Also, what is the permitting process like in your area?
LikeLike
Something in between. We began with rough sketches of our own, reflecting my preferred style and priorities and conversations with zoning administrator. A former general contractor/neighbor helped turn it into a Building Plan. A truss company of engineers turned it into a set of trusses to match our design. Then I chose windows and doors and jeff created the wall frame accordingly. He built his own house and cabin years ago so knew the process, pretty much…but it’s rather painstaking (if interesting) for me. I gather this is an unusual way to do it, and depends heavily on jeff’s know-how. As to the permitting process! What fun. 😆 Learning that was one of my first challenges. On-line options have made it easier, but still a pain. I gather the fees are not as bad here as in some places in the country. Inspectors in this sparsley populated region cover a huge area so sometimes we have to wait for them. They have been helpful though.
LikeLike
I feel like I just witnessed a miracle!!!
This is awesome – and you are awesome for allowing/guiding this to happen! ❤
LikeLike
Love you, and Happy Birthday!!
LikeLike