With it being the busy time for wildlife field work, Eli’s often in the field right now for week long stints, so when he’s back home, we make it count with work on the tiny house! Our weekends (and some of Eli’s weekdays) are full of 2x4s and saws and toolbelts and nails and screws… and now sheathing! We’re currently working on getting the framed-out skeleton covered. Day by day, it looks more and more like a house!
But first, with all the walls up and squared, we had to make sure those walls were well secured to the trailer! In come the large bolts. And, although we used lock washers, we also decided to cement the bolts with Liquid Nails. We’re feeling confident those nuts aren’t shimmying themselves loose any time soon.
Once those walls were all securely attached and plum and level, that pile of plywood sheathing awaited us. We went with 3/8″ plywood for the sheathing because of weight considerations (plywood is lighter than OSB). Putting adhesive between the framing and plywood sheathing apparently adds considerable strength and stability to the walls – a definite plus! We’re using a router to cut out the window openings in the sheathing as we go along instead of waiting until the whole house is sheathed and then making the cuts. We found that it’s easier and also provides motivation to see your house forming as you go!
With the house walls now at full height, we could no longer reach the top with our dinky 6-foot ladders. So, we are now the proud owners of a brand new 10-foot ladder (for a cool $180 – not the price I was ready for after our $15 used Craigslist ladders). Though, maybe the 10-foot ladder wasn’t necessary with Monkey Eli around.
After months and months of researching and reading and contemplating and re-hashing and questioning and crying (well just me) and ordering and modeling, it’s so crazy how quickly the house is coming about before our eyes – and I even feel that way being the one doing the work. (Well, it does help that sometimes I come home from work to more progress made – Eli’s like magic!). Hygge Hale emerges into reality!
So exciting! Love the windows, looks like there will be great light on the inside.
It even looks like you know what you are doing.
Haha! Well, one of us at least has formal construction experience – that would be Eli – and, I have a bit of knowledge of building from helping my parents with house remodeling and shed building. But, we had no idea how many unique challenges to building a tiny house specifically there would be. Much is different when it’s not a normal foundation and not a standard house plan and weight is a definite concern – not something you have to worry about with a regular house. We wonder if perhaps we should have gotten a third axle on the trailer… we shall see!
Qwll, it really looks like a building! All your down time, paper work and planning has paid off! Does Higge Hale mean something? Is it Latin? I could ask Google but it’s easier ot ask you the busy busy person.
Right! That’s what we’re hoping. Check out my page about the tiny house where I talk about what Hygge Hale means. It’s a combination of a Danish/Norwegian word and a Hawaiian word. Briefly, “hygge” means cozy or snug in Danish and Norwegian, and “hale” means house in Hawaiian. Definitely easier to ask me, and I don’t mind providing an answer!
This is awesome!! I love reading your updates Tracy! I miss you guys!
Thanks, Grace! Thanks for checking out the blog! I’m glad you’re enjoying our progress updates. I miss you!!
It looks like a house, soon to be home!! You are awesome!
Thanks! Oh man, I can’t wait for it to be finished and we can move in!