Although we have already bought 10 6x beams, we decided to buy a couple more.

More Beams, Please

After reflecting on our needs, we could use two more 6x beams.  Bryan noticed that Ken had not sold the beams and we have a window to transport the beams over to Watsonville for milling.

After identifying which beams that we’re going to use throughout the house, and assigning individual beams to those requirements, we could use a couple more beams.  First, we need a 6×12 beam that will be exposed and ‘connect’ the lower flat roof on the East side of the house to the cabinet wall between the Kitchen and Dining room.  This is a short beam, only 8 feet long, of which only a couple feet will be exposed.

Also, we would like to make some ‘insulated headers’, which will have higher R-values than solid wood.  These insulated headers are required on the East side of the house over the main kitchen door and on the West side of the house over the windows in the Master bathroom and in Kate’s bathroom.  Having insulated headers in these locations will reduce condensation on cold days when we are having hot showers.

The insulated headers will be made by having two 1-3/4 inch wide boards that are 10 inches tall sandwiching a 2 inch piece of rigid styrofoam.  This composite material will have sufficient structural strength and a much higher R-value than a solid wooden beam.

Using a smaller steel rod and mallet, we quickly removed the reinforcing steel (rebar) from the reclaimed wooden beams.

Rebar removed from reclaimed wooden beam. Done.

Two 6x14 beams loaded safely and securely on the truck, for delivery to Watsonville tomorrow.

The site was looking good in the sunshine. We remembered the evening when Nik put his name in the concrete in Kate's bedroom.

And, of course, here is Kate's writing in the concrete.

Progress on framing the west side of the house.

It is satisfying to see our walls going up on the ground floor (finally).