Hi Jim,

Wow this looks good, thank you. I am impressed, you really mastered this software. As you pointed, my ideas are not really well thought, but apart from the fact that there is now room for the stairway, the design looks pretty good to me. I will definitively not need to worry about the snow piling up, especially since so so windy on the shore of Gulf of Saint Lawrence. I have to finish marking papers,( end of the quarter) but I will get back to you. At the end, it maybe easier to stick to the original plan, but I like the 16 x 20 dimension.

Serge

Hi Jim,

As I said, I like this plan you drew, but I am still debating if I want to deal the the complexity of changing the dimensions ( its a lot more complicated than I thought). Maybe it would make sense to go with the original dimension. I am l also thinking that I should build what we build during the Heartwood workshop this summer, 16' x 20'. What dimension timbers did you plan to frame the main floor and the second floor when you drew this plan? 20 x 16 salt box? How about on this 16 x 20, what would you frame the floors with?

Thank you,

Serge

When I drew the original plan I just used what was in the book.

I didn't change any of the sizes when I modified the original to your plan.

We'd have to discuss your loads to do some actual beam sizing.

There are some standard loads that residential buildings must comply with but I don't know what they are for CA. You'll have to do the research and find them.
Then we could check to see if these size beams would work.
And it all depends on what type of wood you'll be using.

Jim Rogers

Jim,

I am trying to get the snow load, but trying to avoid talking to my town building inspector ( long story) should get this soon from someone else.

The frame is most likely going to be spruce, unless I manage to get my hands on some red oak or pine, but in my area, that is not so likely. Can I make braces out of white birch? How about pegs. Do you have any links to some resources for peg making. Are most people making them or buying them?


Serge

Pegs..... making of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T-txHEaS...mp;feature=plcp

Thank you,great video! Now I know how to make pegs and got summer plans for my daughter.