Early July 2005:  NOW it's going to start looking like a building!  These I-joists aren't as heavy as they look, but they are kind of awkward, especially on a windy day.  Well, sure enough, I picked a nice, cool, BREEZY day to start putting them up.  This is probably another job where you might want to call a friend.  It's not so much moving the joists around or lifting them up as it is keeping them steady while you're fastening them into place.  I finished setting up one half of the building on a Friday (breezy) and the other half on Saturday (hot and nasty).  I thought I was pretty smart because I "thought ahead" and made a measuring block to space the joists at a perfect 19" on center - which was the number I calculated for equal distancing along the 32' depth of the building.  Sadly, I wasn't thinking that 19" on center doesn't even out to nice 8' spans for laying down subfloor sheets.  PLEASE think about that if YOU decide to build (see next page in the series).  I've been buying my lumber locally as often as possible, because I like supporting local businesses.  However, this time my local place couldn't compete.  Lowes came to town a few months ago, and they're pretty tough to beat.

Cost:  42 24' I-joists ($2200), 9 1x16x12' rim boards ($226), 2 stairway stringers ($100), Lowes Delivery Charge ($60)

I-Joist Delivery                                 View from SE

View from Inside                                        View from NW

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