Tate Residence Is Topped Out!!!

Lots has happened at the Tate residence over the past 2 weeks.  Last post we had the first floor framed up, now we are "topped" out as Andy calls it.  Basically the interior and exterior framing are complete as well as the roof!! It actually looks like a house now, this transition has been very exciting, instead of Andy telling me he's going to the "lot" he now says he's going to the "house".  Hooray for progress. Below are some progress pictures... 

view from the back of the house

view from the backyard

Now for the most recent pictures, Andy took these yesterday (5/20).

We had to finalize our exterior selections also, we picked Certainteed Landmark Colonial Slate for the roof (light gray shingles), and Colonial White siding...do you sense a trend here??? We also finalized our stone selection, we are using the exact same stone as the house below (picture was taken this winter).  We LOVE this stone, it's a blend of all local stones so it feels very authentic.  This is one of my favorite aspects of the house so far.  The stone along with our vertical board and batten siding for the garage really gives the farmhouse feel we are going for.

White vertical board and batten siding, similar to what we will have. Over the next few weeks the exterior of the house will really take shape, the roof shingles, stone exterior and siding will all be put on soon. I can't wait to see all of our selections actually put together!!! Stay tuned.

Cloudy with a Chance of Amish

We have been waiting for dry weather and appears that this week we finally got our wish with Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning/afternoon having little to no chance of rain.  Thursday and Friday look to be about 50/50 chance but I'll take what I can get.  The equipment shunkin' in the mud onsite can finally be resurrected and put back to work.

The Amish Mafia is still throwing up walls when able.  All first floor perimeter and interior walls, garage walls, and balloon framing is complete.  I know what you're thinking... and no were are not framing walls out of balloons.   Balloon framing is actually a method of wood framing were the vertical members (studs) are continuous the full height of the building, from the first floor plate to the second floor roof rafters (example is family room interior and main foyer rear wall).

The second floor joists (TJIs) arrived today and are about 75% installed with subfloor/decking down. The pre-engineered roof trusses are scheduled to arrive on Friday.  The truck crane will setup and swing the 32' + long trusses into place early next week.  That's always a fun sight to see.  We should be "dried in" within the next 2-3 weeks.  For those of you that are not familiar with the term, dried in refers to the stage of construction where the building is weather tight and mostly protected from the elements.  In this case this would mean that the windows, Tyvek Building paper, and roofing is installed and building is watertight.

Also, if anyone is interested...I am getting a skid-steer (Bobcat) with bucket grapple and 12" wood chipper shredder on Saturday to clear up all the trees and brush I've downed over the last several weekends.   Bring your gloves and work boots.  I'll bring the beer and chicken wings.   Andy  

Front Elevation

Right Elevation

Left Elevation

Rear Elevation

   

Master suite updates- Dressing room or sitting room?

Last Thursday the first floor perimeter was framed, the Amish did all this in one day!  

Here is Andy standing where the kitchen sink will be. So now that we have something that actually resembles a house, it has started to sink in that this is really happening and one day soon we will be moving in!!!! I do tons of research on houzz looking at photos of new construction, reading articles from designers etc.  I always love seeing dressing rooms, like the ones pictured below.

Our plans originally had a master suite with a sitting room, two walk in closets and then his and her bathroom vanities.  I really don't see myself using a sitting room, if I'm in my bedroom and I want to relax I am going to get in bed and watch netflix.  Not sit in my sitting room.  I asked Andy if it was possible to turn the sitting room into my dressing room.  He was able to redraw the layout and made some slight adjustments so that I not only get to keep my walk in closet (yay) but I will also have my own dressing room.  I must say I am extremely happy about this and I think it will get much more use than the previously planned sitting room!!!