A Self Build Challenge in Wales

The Erection!

July 2011

Yes it’s that time, timber frame erection time !

The scaffold is erected first, to almost all sides of the house as the frame is walked onto the ground floor slab then the scaffold is completed to access all first floor panels and finally the roof.

Very excited and nervous to see some rapid progress on site as we have chosen timber frame construction due to lack of storage space on site for traditional materials plus workability is easier and most importantly it will meet the SAP calcs and pressure test at the end.

First of all the sole plate that the ground floor timber frame panels sit on arrived and were fitted by the carpenters then the ground floor panels themselves showing all doors, windows etc that you could now see in the "flesh" so to speak. Fairly easy to be honest as a plan was provided by the timber frame manufacturer Donnybrook's of Caerphilly showing all the panels numbered and corresponding with their plan so like a giant IKEA flat pack to put together.

The slab was square and level which aided the frame erection as this can be a major problem with installation so then in 1 day stood the ground floor of the house.

Next delivery was the first floor easijoists which aids all services by running your pipes and insulation through them easily - a cracking idea for a self build installation.

They were put on without a hitch so now ready for the first floor panels which were to be lifted by a telescopic fork lift thanks to my neighbour Julian who provided the machine.

All panels up and fitted again in a day - this is house building the quick way and it was looking fab but bloody big compared to the drawing. Gone too large maybe?

With the tongue and groove flooring fitted that completed the frame with the scary part to come now - The Roof trusses!

We had taken a gamble as we are having Attic trusses which are larger than normal roof trusses we decided to have them delivered 9.30am one morning with the crane arriving half hour before to set up and lift them off the lorry and into place.

Very risky as no times were guaranteed by the truss manufacturer and with the crane £70 an hour it was squeaky bum time!

Stress city but all arrived as it should have despite the weather which was a nice Welsh wet storm, the crane lifted the roof trusses into place and the carpenters did the bracing and positioning etc to form the crowning glory of the roof.

Finishing touches of the soffit, facias, studwork and flooring in the attic so the carpenters work was done and so was our house hahaha or very nearly anyways.

To walk around in the house now was amazing and scary at the same time as the cheques were getting larger so was the organizing plus to be able to see the work ahead very daunting indeed.

A comment from a friend of mine who said he was walking around the village below ours with his wife and on looking up that's all he could see was "a flipping big blue house" on the hill!

Need to get the roof on and brick work up quick to hide the blue timber frame vapour barrier as it does look like the Smurf's house.

They should have gone for a nice Hunter grey on the outside was my opinion which was quickly dismissed as I need to get out more??