Non Electric Homestead McMinn County (new home, prices, storage)

[Beretta]

I am so glad that everything is going well Forest Breath. Many thanks to Harry Chickpea for sure. I am glad that you got the link also (and remember that the DM feature works great for such things!)

Please keep us updated on this project and I hope to make your housewarming party!

[Bones]

Forest Breath, I would scab the 2 x 6 where they butt together. I don't think it's necessary to do both sides though. You should put in the X supports between the joists for warping though before the plywood goes down.....
What material are you going to use for the roof and outside walls ¿

[Bones]

Forest Breath, I would also buy a small generator from some place like Harborfreight to make my life a lot easier. You have a lot of nails to go through....hehehehe. It would also give ya portable power down the road...

[jkmewright]

In case you are going to be living directly on the plywood - not using it as a subfloor - make sure you use spiral shank nails so they don't creep back up. Those little buggers are no fun when they snag your sock @ 4 am. lol

[Bones]

Originally Posted by jkmewright

In case you are going to be living directly on the plywood - not using it as a subfloor - make sure you use spiral shank nails so they don't creep back up. Those little buggers are no fun when they snag your sock @ 4 am. lol

Good point JK, I would use them anyways...hate creaking floors....

[Eat]

Originally Posted by jkmewright

In case you are going to be living directly on the plywood - not using it as a subfloor - make sure you use spiral shank nails so they don't creep back up. Those little buggers are no fun when they snag your sock @ 4 am. lol

Better yet, screw it down.

[Forest Breath]

Galvanized nails? I hope so because that is what I got. LOL

About how much does a generator cost? I need one that will run a small air compressor.

What is suggested for the walls? Someone said 1/4 inch plywood (OSB?) or something.

Would like to hear all suggestions before I turn my wood order in this evening.

[Bones]

Originally Posted by Forest Breath

Galvanized nails? I hope so because that is what I got. LOL

About how much does a generator cost? I need one that will run a small air compressor.

What is suggested for the walls? Someone said 1/4 inch plywood (OSB?) or something.

Would like to hear all suggestions before I turn my wood order in this evening.

1/4" plywood, don't think so - I could put my fist through that.......hehehehe...... How about a small limb from a tree in 50 MPH winds ¿ It'd be like a piece of glass....

[Cecilia_Rose]

Sounds like youre making excellent progress.

No OSB. Even I know that. Not sure whats is the best. Youll need to check with our resident expert. When we build our shop/barn 20 years ago we used wood siding that came in 4X8 sheets. T1-11 (?) . Anyway its groved to look like planking and you can stain or paint it. Its held up extremely well and it still looks nice.


I collect folk art so these things catch my eye. I remember seeing a house somewhere that used tree trunks for the porch posts . The railngs and side supports were branches and interwined limbs. Think of all the "gingerbread" on a Victorian porch and replace it with branches. It was Kewl. If I could remember where Id post a pic.

[Forest Breath]

Got the wood delivered yesterday for the walls. I am so excited. Yesterday we got the rest of the subflooring put down. I have to admit, when we started it, we were putting it down wrong. It was NOT fitting together properly. This has certianly been a learning experience for us. But honestly, for 3 people who have absolutely NO experience in building a house, thank to you guys, Jimmy and Hiwassee Builders Supply in Athens, it is coming along fine. We got all of that subflooring nailed down by hand other than the two last rows. They are tacked down in the corners and Chris will be putting the rest of the nails in this morning. Yes....I have some blisters on my right hand. LOL But to know we built every bit of that floor by hand AND.....we all ran around on it, jumped on it, Cletus and Perrin ran and chased each other on it, we bounced and sat and skipped and played games and the floor is as sturdy as it can be, not budging, not bouncing, not moving, not nothing....just a good solid floor and we are so proud!

We are waiting until Monday to start the walls. I am looking into a generator because well....my right hand tells me it might be a good idea. I nailed while Amanda and Chris laid the plywood down and after over 200 nails...I need a generator. LOL So I will check on that and get one for next week.

Meanwhile, we are going to get the outhouse built this weekend....I hope....if the rains are not too bad. We have the wood and the pit dug, so we should have an outhouse in a few days.

I will get as many people as I can over to help raise the walls when the time comes. That will be a big day, but you know....every day that we are able to accomplish something is a big day. I am going to get some pics of yesterday up on my photobucket and will post them in a bit.

Again...thanks everyone (especially Harry CHickpea....not sure what I would have done if you had not noticed that floor!)

edit: to add pictures:


Cletus enjoys the new floor!


Yay it is a floor!!!!!!!


View south from the house


View east from the house