Porch Beam
Post date: Jul 1, 2015 1:53:34 AM
Today we placed the (probably) 500 pound Douglas-Fir main beam on the corner post for the north porch (portal). Yesterday, Eli had lapped the two corbels that go over the post (lower photo) and tapered the top of the post from 10” (at the base) to 8” at the top. (The architect called for 7”, but that looked to small.)Eli also cut the lap notches in the ends of the beams that meet over the corner post. The post rests on a steel plate to prevent moisture from wicking from the concrete floor into the wood. In addition, I soaked the bottom of the post with copper napthenate preservative. We also routed a groove around the bottom of the post, so that any water that runs down the sides of the post will drip off rather than running under the post.
Today he rented a hoist and cranked the beam to the right elevation. Then we pushed it into the pocket in the wall and let it down onto the corner post. Turned out to be a less strenuous exercise than I had feared. (You may recall me as a nerd — not one to lift 500 pounds over my head!)We also had a visit from Bill Hoffmann, the architect, for his post-travels report — we are now 30% complete. He noticed that Jake as spent days in the hot sun waterproofing the tops of the parapets and started to seal around the living room window.
And the interior designer, Sybille Palmer came by this afternoon to introduce the wood stainer Jaques, who will get me some ‘aging’ stain so that the new exterior wood matches the wood that has sat out in the sun and rain for over a year.
Jaques also recommended that I not seal the wood against the elements. That is fine with me, as I like the appearance of sun-bleached wood and don’t like either the appearance of or the effort required to keep exterior wood looking fresh.
Electricians Gus and Erik came today and laid out the ceiling light fixtures so they can install boxes and pull wire tomorrow.
The plumbers installed the in-wall toilet tank, the shower valve, and insulated the water lines that they had installed yesterday. They also ran the radon vent through the roof (perforation number two).
Did I do anything today? I installed a temperature sensor that will be under the south-facing roof. I also cut the notch for the main scupper (canale) and filled one last hole in the main roof deck. Still one piece of parapet sheathing to cut and install. And I cut and installed supporting blocks for the main scupper. It was hot on that roof this afternoon!
