Status Update
2025-12-04: Major progress day! Gehl RT215 track loader arrived 7:57 AM for snow clearing and material handling. All roof trusses set with loader assist (9:15 AM - 12:13 PM). Dormer wall panels framed and stood on roof structure. Loft floor joists installed with Simpson hangers and blocking. Titebond construction adhesive applied between joists and subfloor decking (standard “glue-and-screw” method for squeak prevention and structural rigidity). Structure transformed from walls to full roof framing in a single day. Weather: Overcast clearing to partly sunny, then clear by afternoon; 10-21°F, NW winds 5-10 mph. See Dec 4 Photos (11 photos).
2025-12-03: Framing started. First-floor walls stood, LVL garage door headers installed, diagonal bracing set, and sheathing/hardware staged (joist hangers, OSB, sill gaskets). Weather: Overcast, 18-24°F. Snow cover on site; cold but workable conditions for framing kickoff. See December 3, 2025 - Framing Kickoff for full photo set.
2025-12-02: Framing confirmed to begin December 2-3, 2025. Marcus called Nov 26 to confirm. See 2025-11-26 - Call - Marcus Framing Start Confirmed.
2025-11-18: Roof trusses delivered by Letherer Truss Inc. (Job #123907). 41 trusses total (5,359 lbs) staged on cured slab. See Truss Engineering Drawings and Loading Ticket.
2025-11-13: Marcus set the crew’s framing window for no earlier than Monday 2025-11-24 and no later than Monday 2025-12-01. Materials are staged; timeline depends on crew availability. See 2025-11-13 - Call - Marcus Framing Schedule.
Truss Specifications
From Letherer Truss engineering package (Job #123907):
| Qty | Type | Description | Weight | Pitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | A1 24’ | Standard attic trusses | 219 lbs | 10:12 |
| 4 | AX 24’ | Attic girder (2-ply) | 438 lbs | 10:12 |
| 4 | SP1 14’6” | Special/modified for dormers | 94 lbs | 10:12 |
| 8 | T1 6’ | Common (dormer) | 25 lbs | 6:12 |
| 2 | TX 6’ | Common girder (2-ply, dormer) | 59 lbs | 6:12 |
| 4 | AM 2’ | Mono-pitch (dormer) | 17 lbs | 10:12 |
Key Specs:
- Spacing: 24” OC (standard), 48” OC (girders)
- Overhangs: 1’-0” (12”) on both sides
- Max truss height: 11’-03-08”
- Attic room width: 5’-0” to 19’-0”
See Full Engineering Drawings for complete specifications.
Pre-Framing Confirmations
Confirmed with Marcus (Hershberger’s) on 2025-12-01:
- ✅ Tape all exterior sheathing seams
- ✅ Tyvek house wrap with proper overlap
- ✅ Window flashing (sill pan, corner flashing, taped flanges)
- ✅ Seal all exterior penetrations
- ✅ Vented roof assembly (vented soffits + continuous ridge vent)
See Critical Pre-Insulation Requirements for complete checklist.
Action Items
- Decide stair railing requirements and design (code height, returns) — stage:: 3
- Determine upstairs side/knee walls and guards (locations, heights) — stage:: 3
- Confirm decking for upstairs floor (material, thickness) — stage:: 3
- Verify need for interior support posts or beam sizing for upstairs loads — stage:: 3
📸 Photo Documentation Checklist
Why Document?
Photos of hidden work (framing, sheathing, utilities) are invaluable for future reference, insurance claims, inspections, and troubleshooting. Take MORE photos than you think you need - storage is cheap!
Phase 1: After Wall Framing (Before Sheathing)
Capture structural framing while fully visible:
- Overall shots of each wall (interior side) - N, S, E, W (Dec 3-4)
- Stairwell/mechanical room framing and layout
- Window and door rough openings (measure and note sizes)
- Bottom plate connection to slab (verify PT lumber) (Dec 3 - sill gasket photos)
- Any headers over openings (garage doors, windows) (Dec 3 - LVL headers)
- Corner framing details
- Loft floor joist framing and connections (Dec 4 - blocking)
Phase 2: After Roof Truss Installation (Before Sheathing)
Capture truss layout and connections:
- Overall roof structure from ground level (multiple angles) (Dec 4 - front, left)
- Truss-to-wall connections (hurricane ties/clips)
- Truss spacing verification (24” OC per engineering) (Dec 4 - visible in photos)
- Dormer truss framing and transitions (Dec 4 - dormer walls)
- Ridge and peak details
- Soffit/overhang framing (verify 12” depth)
- Attic space interior (from loft level) (Dec 4 - interior view)
Phase 3: After Sheathing / Before WRB (Tyvek)
Capture sheathing installation:
- All exterior walls showing sheathing panels
- Sheathing around windows and doors
- Roof sheathing (from ground if visible, or drone)
- Any visible sheathing seams before taping
Phase 4: After WRB (Tyvek) / Before Siding
Capture weather barrier installation:
- All walls showing Tyvek installation and overlap pattern
- Window flashing details (sill pan, corner flashing, taped flanges)
- Door flashing details
- Seam taping on sheathing (if visible under Tyvek)
- Any exterior penetrations and their sealing
- Soffit area preparation
Phase 5: After Roof Underlayment / Before Metal Roofing
Capture roof prep:
- Synthetic underlayment installation
- Ridge vent preparation
- Soffit vent installation/preparation
- Drip edge installation
- Sewer vent stack penetration and flashing
- Any roof penetration prep (future vents)
Phase 6: After Siding / Windows / Doors Installed
Capture finished exterior:
- All four elevations (beauty shots!)
- Window installation details (exterior trim)
- Door installation details
- Garage door openings (before openers)
- Soffit and fascia details
- Any exterior electrical/utility penetrations
Phase 7: Before Insulation (Interior Open Walls)
CRITICAL - Last chance to see inside walls!
- All stud bays from interior (panoramic if possible)
- Electrical rough-in locations
- Any plumbing rough-in
- Mini-split line set routes
- Utility runs to loft (compressed air, fume duct, electrical)
- Rim joist areas
- Knee wall framing in loft
- Sloped ceiling rafter bays
- Fire separation framing (stairwell enclosure)
General Photo Tips
- Timestamp photos or use a phone that embeds GPS/date
- Include reference objects (tape measure, level) for scale
- Shoot wide AND detail - overall context plus close-ups
- Note any concerns immediately while you remember what you photographed
- Backup photos to cloud storage same day
References
- Truss engineering: Truss Engineering Drawings
- Truss delivery: Loading Ticket
- Pre-insulation checklist: Critical Pre-Insulation Requirements
- From meeting: 2025-05-27 - Meeting - Marcus (Loft floor, side guards, railing)
- Framing schedule: 2025-11-26 - Call - Marcus Framing Start Confirmed