The floor box and subfloor are FINISHED! We screwed and glued the last three pieces of subfloor plywood today.
The next step is to add the walls. Since I'm using SIPs--structural insulated panels, a prefabricated wall panel system--the wall installation is kind of out of my hands for the moment. I contacted the local SIP manufacturer a couple of weeks ago and they promptly replied promising to get back to me with a price quote, but I have not heard from them since. Once I get the quote and get some answers to my design/building questions (e.g. What kind of splines do I need? Is there anything I need to do to "hurricane"- and "earthquake"-proof a SIP structure? Do I need a double top plate?), I will place my order. But then it could take a month or more for them to fabricate my panels and deliver them... I really don't know at this point.
So I wait.
But anyway, now it's time for a photographic recap of the floor building process! I've taken the liberty of idealizing the order of some of the steps, so take this is the order in which I should have done everything I did:

I also chose to place joists where they could support every plywood edge, with a minimum of plywood cutting and wastage. Having all plywood edges supported by a joist: good idea.




5. Laboriously ensured the paint would dry in drizzly, 35-45ºF, Pacific Northwest winter weather, using a giant tarp, a variety of kludges to keep it from touching the tacky paint, a fan, and a small electric heater (that sometimes worked).

6. Jacked the floor up and out of the trailer bed and, with help (7 people--thank you Chuck, Becca, Sarah, Mom, Dad, and Ellen!), flipped it over and placed it back in the trailer, undercarriage side down.
7. Shimmed the floor box in place, drilled through the side rails of the floor box at each pre-drilled bolt hole in the trailer, and bolted the floor box to the trailer using 16 carriage bolts, each 5/8" in diameter and 5.5" long.






13. Covered the trailer width extensions with Sill Seal as a thermal and air barrier.

14. Glued and screwed 3/4" CDX plywood to the floor box, covering it and the trailer width extensions.
TOTAL TIME: 20 days, 40.25 hrs (generally with two people working together)
Yay! Congrats on this milestone!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :-D Now it's time to study up on what's to come! Went to the library today and checked out books on plumbing and electrical wiring, which are the most intimidating parts of the build.
DeleteI hope the wall people get back to you soon! Good luck with the self-study!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete