So many lines.
The logs run one way, and the rafters another.
And then the roof sheathing went on and created yet another set of lines. No one was prepared for the moment the sun came out and overwhelmed the barn with shadows.
The affect wouldn’t last for long. Within a few days we would have a metal roof on top of the barn and “the days of overwhelming shadows” would end… but for a time… it was amazing.
Originally posted 2015-03-18 16:00:30.
We are well on our way (as seen here in this photo) to having the roof sheathed.
“Sheathed” is such a nice word don’t you think? Let those who work in cubicles have their fancy words… builders get to sheath!
If you build houses or barns, every so often you get to spend your day… sheathing.
Up on top of the roof, nailing down one board at time. Life is good. The view of the world around you is great, and the workmanship of all that you have been working on during the past few weeks lies beneath you.
When you arrive home that evening the conversation goes something like this…
“Hi honey, what did you do at work today?”
“Well, I sheathed today… it was a good day.”
“That’s nice, dear”
This barn originally had rough sawn lumber for sheathing. There was no Costco back then where one could load up their truck with plywood for sheathing. And even if there had been a building supply warehouse, plywood would not have been an available option.
I find that over the course of many years that wood becomes baked and brittle lying under a metal roof. So, we replaced the original sheathing with new lumber that I purchased from a nearby sawmill that supplies us with locally harvested lumber. It’s inexpensive to buy, extremely strong, and a pleasure to work with. No plywood sheathing goes on this barn, no sirree.
After it’s all applied we will trim the ends so that they all the same length, in one long pass with the saw.
Notice also in this photo that down at the far end of the barn that we are starting to build one of the barn’s extensions.
Originally posted 2015-03-18 15:40:20.
The masons are working feverishly on the four stone walls that will soon support the coming extensions off of the barn.
I have done my best over the years to always have some kind of stonework going on at my job-sites. I have found that every structure, whether a barn or a home, looks much better if there is stone work incorporated… quality stone work that is… not some glued-on product.
Most people in the construction field like to work with background music being played… more than any other trade or career that I can think of.
Sure, there is background music in restaurants and stores… but the people there have no choice on whether or not music is played, nor do they have the ability to select what they are listening to.
I have always found job-site music interesting. It reduces job-site chatter and creates focus on each individual’s project. It also seems to create a surge of energy… the pace of work improves.
So, music is a perk for those who work with their hands. I wonder though, what is the affect on a person’s life if they spend every day listening to the music of their choice?
My music of choice, being odd the way that I am, has always been the rhythmic sound of stone hammers striking chisels, followed by the sound of a rock chip bouncing off of something… or, on occasion…bouncing off of someone.
Ouch.
Those stone masons.
Originally posted 2015-03-18 15:01:36.
One last photo of this phase of the barn’s reconstruction… the men are preparing to set the last pair of rafters…
Originally posted 2015-03-18 14:08:49.
I find that visitors to this property often gaze upon this barn as if they are viewing the Parthenon in Greece, or one of the many old Cathedrals in Europe.
Isn’t it amazing that so many people love barns, yet we allow so many to be lost each year?
I notice the absence of them when I drive the roads of this state. I read somewhere a while back that the state of Virginia now only has 10% of the number of barns that she had fifty years ago.
That’s just sad.
Here’s one barn that will be around for a long time to come. Isn’t she beautiful?
Originally posted 2015-03-17 14:39:37.
Just look at these barn rafters!
Aren’t they just the prettiest little things that you have ever seen?
I just love ’em.
All straight in a little row.
Well, not that straight. If you look at the bottoms of the rafters, where they rest on the plate, you can see a bit of a curve to them. I think most builders would have straightened that out.
But, I find that one of things that gives character to older buildings is the lack of perfection found in them. They are like us… they come with a few imperfections, but are quite loveable that way.
So, I leave manufactured perfection to other builders and spend my days admiring the work of people who build with their hands and use simple tools.
Originally posted 2015-03-17 14:11:00.
This photo is worth spending a few moments of your time in order to “take it all in”. You likely won’t see anything like it, ever again.
Maybe, it’s just me. Maybe, I get too carried away on my appreciation for these old barns. My wife will tell you that there isn’t any “maybe” about it. lol
But you all put up with me… and I thank you for that…
Let me tell you what I see.
I see ancient, nearly-extinct wood (chestnut) in a remarkably wonderful state of preservation. This barn has never been exposed to any weathering, there are no worn, grey, splintery surfaces, it’s all just a fresh, naturally patinaed, work of art.
There is no impressive notching to see here. No excessive joinery of any kind to distract the eye. Simple, straightforward workmanship, at it’s finest. Square notches make up the corners, and a basic overlap joint connects the two hewn pieces that make up the top plate.
And that, is clearly all that was needed. This barn stood proud for many decades and will continue to do so for many more. It turns out that dovetail joints are not required.
Who would have thought that beauty could be found in nature, and in hand workmanship, not in machined perfection?
The logs and the pole rafters that make up this barn were likely gathered on site. Two men, who likely farmed for for a living (just one of many skills they possessed), went into the woods with two tools, an axe and a shaving knife and built this barn.
No county inspector, no architect, no engineer, no general contractor, no building supply outlet, nothing imported from China. Amazing.
Originally posted 2015-03-17 13:40:54.
Next up on this project we installed the original pole rafters. What a treat.
The visual affect of the added roof is striking. Suddenly our two little log cabins have now united and become a massive barn.
Originally posted 2015-03-17 12:51:04.
A barn in the mist.
The logs are now all in place. Next up is the roof and then the extensions. She is starting to come together.
But, I wanted to pause here for today and let everyone take in this photo. It was a moment in time that quickly passed. Thanks to photography I can once again revisit it.
It had rained hard the night before and everything was soaking wet. The sun was in the process of rising and burning off the morning fog. The masons always arrived first, it’s just who they are.
The site was always quieter without the noisy woodworkers around, with all their power tools. They would be arriving soon, and the stillness would vanish.
During the course of any given year here in Virginia there are maybe thirty “perfect weather” days. You know what I mean… 75 degrees, sunny, a few puffy clouds and a slight breeze. The trees are green, the flowers are in bloom, and somewhere is the smell of a freshly mowed lawn.
On those days it never fails that I will run into one or more people that spend their lives working inside who will tell me how much they envy me for “being out there”.
However on the remaining three-hundred-and-thirty-five days of the year someone will make the comment to me “I don’t know how you can stand working out in that… cold… or heat.. or snow… or rain… or sun… or mud… or whatever.
For certain there are many days where I walk out the door because I have to, because I did so yesterday and today’s weather isn’t much different. But, for the most part, once I am out there in it, and doing what I love, it’s the best thing there is.
I feel more alive when I’m out there.
Life, is out there.
I think we were designed to be “out there”, even when it’s not comfortable. I know it’s hard… our homes today are SO comfortable. I think that is the reason so many people have me build them small rustic places… it makes being outside easier.
On this particular day, the one seen in this photo, it was a miserable morning… everything was wet. Within just a few steps my shoes were wet and muddy. Gloves quickly became soaked. And then my hands without the gloves quickly became covered in dirt.
But the morning mist made it all worthwhile.
Those carpenters would miss it this morning. But the poor bank tellers, who only envied me on the perfect days, would never witness a moment like this.
Originally posted 2015-03-16 18:18:36.
One log “pen” is now complete.
And, the second one… is rising quickly.
Originally posted 2015-03-16 16:11:11.
