I was trying to think of something fun and punny to say about raising the walls and nothing is coming.
- Who let the walls out?
- Who’s got walls?
- FOUL WALL!
So, let’s just get to it. Ryan took off 11 days of work and it immediately started raining. Figures.
But the dream team was able to dodge some of the raindrops and work on building and raising the two story walls and install floor trusses for the second floor. (If you remember, the last update involved the basement floors and walls. And I also discussed trusses, if you are interested – or bored. Whatever.)
HEY-O. This looks like a house. Did I get your attention?
I’ve learned that building a house makes you thankful for math classes. Who would have thought so many calculations were involved in building? These two guys – that’s who. The calculators are getting a workout.
The plan for wall-building was mighty ambitious. Ryan decided to build all four walls (in once piece each). They built them on the ground floor and then sheeted the walls in place. This meant that once they were lifted, they would be square and ready to go. The goal was to have them fit together like Lincoln Logs – or Legos. Only bigger, obviously.
The longer walls alone were 37 feet long and 15 feet high. Huge.
So, there was LOTS of measuring and planning to get the windows in the right place and the pieces very very square. Because even a few centimeters could spell TOTAL DOOM. (Insert doom sound effects.)
Here’s papa bear, thinking about those storm clouds rolling in. You can see the four walls are framed and ready beneath him. (Also, Henry took this picture. He’s such a prodigy.)
These walls would obviously be too heavy for the crew to lift without years of performance enhancing drugs and the help of the entire Chicago Bears Football Team. (Minus Cutler – he wouldn’t be any help.)
So, Ryan rented some large piece of machinery for a week to help with this job and other tasks.
They used a chain and lifted the walls into place while the crew steadied the panels and balanced them.
There were some hiccups (and tons of mud), but they got all four walls in place in a day. And we’re happy to say, all the pieces went together perfectly. Our neighbor actually came down and ran the equipment and his experience was invaluable.
Henry approves of the progress.
He also insisted upon helping out with his own tools from time to time.
And so did Papa Woodward. (Henry took this picture, too.) I’m sorry for the detour, but I’m totally impressed!
It was wild to see those walls get up in one day – but all the prep made it happen.
Once the main walls were in place, it was time for floor trusses for the second floor. This process went the same as those for the first floor.
Measurements, brackets, installing in place.
Each truss was labeled and the crew used a blueprint from the truss company to get them in the right order.
The second floor trusses were in place after one day and the dream team started working on installing the plywood floors on the second floor. The Skytrak was a pretty big help in getting those sheets of plywood upstairs.
My dad and Ryan glued and then attached the plywood with a nail gun.
The balancing on trusses made me nervous.
So I focused on this view. This will be what we see from our bedroom. Whoa.
After the floors were in, they used the second floor as the building site for the front and back peaks.
So that meant more measuring, cutting and building.
They finished the front peak the first day and the back peak the second day. Then, they lifted them into place. And we had a real house.
Every day is showing so much progress. It’s fun to literally watch a house come together.
I’m pretty proud of this dude.
And beyond thankful for these helpers, who have been here every day. Meeting of the minds.
Did you like this post?
We'd love to send you more inspiration and encouragement for your home. When you sign up below, we'll send you our free guide to save thousands on your next home project. Because your home shouldn't own you.
Darnetha | ChippaSunshine says
I love seeing all your updates on the building of your home!
Amanda says
This is amazing. I wish I could have that kind of knowledge and skill! So neat.
Kendra says
So impressive and it seems that this post is really appropriate around July 4th. You’re following in the footsteps not only of Ryan’s grandparents but of so many other Americans who were able to carve out a life because they thought they could (and because they didn’t have much of a choice but to do it).
Have you thought about adding built in fire escape ladders to the upstairs bedrooms? They go in easy enough when the walls are wide open. Between the single set of stairs and being out in the country, a long way from first responders, you might feel safer.
Congrats on all the progess! It is inspiring to see.
Kim says
Kendra – we had talking about having the ladders, but I didn’t realize they were built-into the wall. Thank you so much for sharing this. We’re looking into it.
And thanks for the kind words about the progress – it is sort of wild to do it all ourselves (or really, more fairly for Ryan and our dads to do it).
Amber @ Wills Casa says
A bunch of geniuses!! This is incredible and those views!!
Kim says
The views are really incredible! I hope I never take them for granted. They still take my breath away.
Christine says
I really love the last picture (don’t get me wrong, love, Love, LOVE the house progress pics) but the last pic really pulled at the heartstrings, like someday (sooner than you think) the house will be done and decorated and all the construction stuff will fade away, and the pics like that last one, with all the important men in your life together with the common goal, maybe someday Henry will show that pic to his kids and it will inspire them to build a house too. Just a really cool thing y’all are doing 🙂
Kim Woodward says
Thank you! I love the picture, too! We still cherish the picture of Ryan’s grandpa building a house so we hope these will be special for generations, too.
Gretchen says
4 walls in a day! It’s like you’re Amish! seriously–so exciting 🙂
Kim Woodward says
I told Ryan it feels like an old-fashioned barn raising. With lots of bottled water, thank God.
daisy says
Wow! Dream team is right! They are movin’ right along.
Y’all must have some serious money in drop chords…
Thanks for sharing this with us. It’s so exciting to see it come together!
Kim says
We do indeed have a lot of drop chords. It’s like a collection that no one wants to look at or display.
FRECKLES CHICK says
(This might be a duplicate comment)
I personally like “Who let the walls out?” When our basement got framed, I was all “We got walls & sh!t!” I am not as elegant as you.
Trusses are my kind of party! Your 360 view, dayum girl!!!
FRECKLES CHICK says
I personally am digging “Who let the walls out?” When our basement finally got framed, I was all “We got walls & sh!t!” I am not as elegant as you.
Trusses are my kind of party! Your 360 view !! Dayum girl!!
Kimberlyn Green says
I am so completely impressed with your husband! And the rest of the work crew for that matter. I check your blog daily waiting for updates (;
Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Kim says
So cool!! I’m amazed at the progress and how fast it went! Though I’m sure it doesn’t feel that way sometimes to you 🙂 Cannot wait to see how the rest goes!
Oona Johnson says
Amazing! It’s coming together so quickly!! You’ll be buying pillows and staging FiestaWare in no time. 😉
Kim Woodward says
Shoot. I’m already arranging Fiestaware in my head. 😉
FunnyGal KAT says
Add me to the crowd of impressed people. Ryan and the rest of the crew are so talented! As a mom of a couple of boys around Henry’s age, I have to tell you that I’m jealous of the built-in entertainment you have for him while the house is being worked on. Who needs museums or swim lessons when you have that right in your backyard?!?
Kim Woodward says
You would THINK that Henry loved it. He does love running around and playing in the dirt and sand and rock. But he really had no interest in the machines, which is surprising to us.
But he keeps telling me that he “has to work with daddy.” Cracks me up.
Katherine Kelly says
Wow! This is simply amazing. I keep meaning to ask … Is Ryan taking other time off from work? I’m so impressed with how much has been getting done. 🙂
Kim Woodward says
He was off for about 11 days (including weekends). He still has a little more time he needs to use before August (he saved most of his days for this). It was definitely exciting to see the progress when he didn’t have to work during the day.
Amy says
Yay!! Such a great job! Yay for progress!
Susan A says
They truly are a Dream Team! Great progress on your new home! Thanks for sharing the journey and keep snapping pictures. What great family memories you’re building…literally!
PS: Henry = Adorable
Katja | Shift Ctrl Art says
What a fantastic post. I love seeing all this progress. You are all doing such a spectacular job. How tall are the ceilings going to be on the first floor?
It is so exciting to be following along in your progress. I can’t believe how quickly it is going.
Kim Woodward says
Thanks so much, Katja!
The first floor are 9-feet tall ceilings. The second floor ceilings range from 5 to 11 feet or so (at the peak). =)
Denise in PA says
So impressive and amazing and awesome – and all of those things!! Thank you so much for letting us share in this journey with you!
Kim Woodward says
Thank you so much for the encouragement – it’s fun to watch the planning come together.
deb says
Fantastic job!!