by Ava Rhodes
On Monday, we set out to begin the interior wall framing, starting with the staircase, then moving on to the bathroom, bedroom closet, and finally the kitchen and entry wall. While six of us tackled the framing, a few others went up onto the roof to install Advantech ceiling planks. We did this so that when it came time to install the roof trusses, we’d have a safe surface to walk on.
Tuesday brought rain, but we pushed through and finished the interior wall framing. While some of us completed the final wall sections, others began working on the window bucks to frame out the rough openings for the windows.
On Wednesday, the weather cleared up and we started the taping process for the weather barrier. Last week, a SIGA representative visited the job site to demonstrate best practices for installing their weather barrier and tape products. Using these new skills, we attached the weather barrier to the exterior wall sheathing. The installation followed a lapping technique, starting from the bottom of the wall and working upward to ensure the tape layers shed water properly. The barrier is water resistant from the outside but vapor open, allowing the walls to dry. We wrapped the entire exterior envelope, then carefully cut the openings for the windows and doors.
Thursday was a day to remember as we installed the roof trusses. Ben had thoughtfully mapped out a safe process for the install. We formed an assembly line: two people on the ground moved the trusses to the base of the scaffolding, two on the scaffolding lifted each truss up to the platform, then three people raised them to the roof. Ben, Caroline, and Ivy guided each truss into position and secured it temporarily with a 2×4 brace on either side. This process continued until all trusses were in place. We then began blocking between the trusses to ensure consistent spacing and removal of the temporary braces. While some of us worked on blocking, others installed the 40-foot LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) planks along both long sides of the house. These LVLs were lifted to the roof and fastened to the base of the trusses, tying the trusses together and providing critical support for the eventual crane lift of the roof envelope.
Friday was dedicated to tying up loose ends. We patched up punctures in the weather barrier caused by temporary roof supports, finished installing Advantech on top of the interior walls to provide backing for future drywall, wrapped up truss blocking, and completed taping around the window openings.
This week marked a major milestone: the installation of the roof trusses. It felt monumental, transforming the structure from a box into a gable-roofed home seemingly overnight. It was incredibly fulfilling to be part of this effort with such a skilled and dedicated group. I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished together.
