The Roof: Part One

We erected 12 6x6 posts on the inner-footing ring.

On the posts we put double-curved capitals to support 12x6 beams.

From the wall to the beam ring we laid 24 12x6 beams with a tractor (Sam's best friend Cody helped a lot). We dropped the beams on rebar spikes, which had been set in the wet concrete. We drove more rebar through the other ends, pinning them to the ring. Then we laid 12 more 12x6s from every-other outer beam to the stove column.

Because the spans between beams at the edge of the roof was excessive, we used some salvaged 3x8s as "hemi beams." A 4' section nestled into notches in the big beams. Then we attached an 8' section to its center with 1" diameter dowels. Last we propped the ends on blocks on the wall.

Then we (with Cody's assistance) nailed 2x6 tongue-and-groove boards from beam to beam.

Because the big entryway arch would not allow tongue-and-groove planking in that orientation, it had to run radially. To diminish the span, Ben fabricated three sets of arch beams, which he set into notches in the 12x6s. The three sections of roof center that were to house the eyebrow windows received similar treatment on a smaller scale.

We protected the roof decking from the imminent bad weather with tarps and some 6-mil plastic.

Over the tongue-and-grove we screwed 5/8" plywood; Sam's highschool friend (and our now neighbor) Jay helped. We had to use two layers of the more flexible 3/8" plywood over the entryway and eyebrow sections.

A lot of work went into creating the eyebrow windows--they will look amazing!

Money Spent (so far): $10,278
$ 124 lumber
$ 488 3x8 lumber
$4794 tongue and groove
$3156 beams ($1700 was done in trade)
$  60 nails
$  67 2x6s
$1330 4x8x5/8 CDX fir 5ply plywood 50SH
$ 259 4x8x11/32 CDX fir plywood