Significant Progress!

The walls are up and the roof is in place and secured.

My apologies on the quality of some of the pictures, the camera mode got changed without being noticed. It still needs a fair bit of work; like straightening the roof panel seam out on the front, waterproofing the roof, installing a door and window, and plastering the straw; but the walls are up and the roof is on top and secured from the wind.

There isn’t any hard data for its performance, but when it was painfully cold and windy outside it was comfy and cozy with a blanket hanging for a door and my little radiant propane heater inside. It’s like stepping back in time when you walk in. I am happy with how it has turned out so far.

It really has cost about twice as much as I anticipated. Much of that is due to the foundation and roof. I was planning on using more local natural resources for both but changed my mind.

Total square footage is only about 130 square feet, but weighing the costs and efforts I feel pretty good about the size. It will sit and sleep my family and a handful of guests to get out of the weather and play a game, eat, watch a movie, ect... Sheds and awnings attached to the sides should add significantly to the use-able space.

I would like to take this chance to write a public thank you. I don't know how we would have gotten the modular roof I built up and on without the help of Geoff and his tractor. It was definitely the smoothest and easiest part of the build with his help when it could have been one of the hardest.

My truck started making some awful noises as soon as I got on the pavement headed home. I ended up re-packing and tightening down a wheel bearing in the parking lot by the spigot in town on the way home. I got it all done with the exception of getting the last snap ring on the axle shaft before putting the hub back on. I struggled with that one snap ring for a good 30 minutes trying everything I could imagine to get the ring expanded and on the shaft. A local (I believe his name is Peter) came to my rescue with a small pair of needle nose pliers that did the trick, I'd probably still be there kicking myself for leaving my snap ring pliers home if it wasn't for him.