Tiny House Framing Begins!
Now that the sub floor is done, the exciting tiny house framing begins. We bought tiny house plans and drawings off the internet as we had no idea how to build a house. The plans really helped in figuring out how to support windows, space studs and dimension the house.
Framing first wall Though we ultimately did not build by the plans, we were glad we got them. Instead we opted to use advanced framing techniques, like California for more efficient corners and 24in stud spacing to reduce weight. The design phase was quite intense, hoping we made the right decisions for a lasting house. All studs were glued before being screwed together and a layer of foam was placed under the sole plate that would get bolted to the trailer.
Framing walls in section Each of the log walls was done in two sections to ease hoisting it in place. It is really incredible how heavy the framing is! This method provided its own challenges trying to decide where to break the wall in half, or close to. This first wall was the learning curve! We made so many mistakes. One of the biggest was not ensuring the trailer was COMPLETELY level. Also messed up in not supporting the middle of the trailer. At one point we thought we had made a wall section too long and spent hours trying to pry it in place, cut bits off, measuring and remeasuring. Turned out that the trailer was sagging in the middle causing the tops of each section to be a couple inches off from the bottom. What a huge dug moment that was.
First wall done!
Cantilever base wall Once we finished the first wall, we decided the bedroom loft, at back of trailer, needed a couple extra feet in it. This spur of the moment idea was accommodated by adding a cantilever to the back, which was completely outside the original design. So we just made it up as we went.
Building under a huge tarp The usually nice autumn in Idaho turned nasty on us early with frequent downpours and early snow. In order to keep building and not get everything soaking wet we bought a HUGE tarp. The tarp was a life saver but also a bit of a PITA. Rain water would pool in the middle and cause it to droop into the house and rip the spikes from the ground. Eventually we got the framing done with it taking FAR longer than expected. Who would have thought tiny house framing was so difficult? Read the full article