The Barn, Roof Framing

After a lot of research and math, I was ready to frame the roof. Now, the plans called for 2x6 on the roof, but after a few conversations with the head inspector, I determined that 2x10s were needed to achieve R-30 insulation in the roof.

I will admit, I am not, nor do I ever plan to be a roof framer. While my angles, math, and gussets were good, my cuts and assembly of the gambrel rafters were a little less than perfect. This was discovered as we were raising the rafters. They weren't bad, in fact, they were better than I thought they were going to be, but they were just a little off.

This phase, unlike most was NOT something I could do on my own, but I was able to get my brother to help raise the rafters.  After some ladder blocking between each rafter, the roof was pretty firm.

The Barn, Framing-2nd Floor

As for wall framing on the second floor, It seemed like it was going to be pretty simple.  Just frame up two gabel ends and a bathroom. I can honestly tell you that there was nothing easy about framing a gabel end for a gambrel roof. It is of course likely that I over complicated it, but I don't think it was by much.

By looking at them they look a little thin on support, that is because they will not be supporting anything besides a window and sheathing. The roof will be self-supporting. I had to get some help raising this one. It wasn't heavy, but it was an acrobatic feat just to nail down the bottom plate with that stair opening.

The front gable was a lot easier, but I still had some help as I did not want to be chasing the wall over the edge. The bathroom wall was simple, nothing special. And the half wall was much easier. 

Most would ask why we did a 36" wall, which technically reduced the square footage of our bathroom. The reason is that we will need a flat wall to put the tub, toilet, and sink against.

As for the wall framing, that's pretty much it. The rest of the second floor will be roof framing.