The Making of Deeradise: Framing Frenzy!

We have walls! Lots of framing happened this week as the house is starting to really come along. All four exterior walls of the first floor were erected by only two of us instead of ten guys thanks to Ron's homemade wall jacks. Since Monday was dad's last day here, he wanted to get in on the action of helping jack up the back wall. (The only picture we have to prove this didn't get past the censorship review committee) :)

We are using a new advanced product from Huber Engineered Woods called the zip system and also their advantech moisture resistant flooring. The zip system provides moisture protection both during and after construction and can be completed in less time because zip panels eliminate the need for housewrap/felt thus saving a step in valuable construction time. The engineered panels are installed and then sealed with a special zip system tape. The zip panels are warrantied for 30 years and the advantech for 50 years. We've been very pleased with them so far.

jacking up back wall of first floor

back wall of 1st floor


front wall

front wall of first floor

We were very thankful Thursday to see all of our zip walls still standing after some severe tornadic weather in East TN all day Wednesday. Twenty tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down in East TN and one was only 2 miles from Deeradise. Needless to say we were very lucky! A friend lost their home in Tellico Plains near where Jason developed property several years ago. Other friends/coworkers have cars with no windows, hail damage, no power/water and damage to their homes. We know Tuscaloosa was hit hard but don't forget TN in your prayers as well. May God bless the families of the 34 lives lost here in East TN.

front of first floor

back of 1st floor and basement

After the relief that Deeradise was OK, we got back to work. The perimeter drain was installed and Headrick Excavating was back out to backfill around the house. We continued framing and plumbed all of the walls. The master bedroom interior walls were also finished and installed. We have FIVE doors (entry, bath & 3 closet doors) in the master bedroom - I think we've set a record! We're sure it's going to look great though as we are embracing our rustic theme and planning on doing some barn style doors.

master bedroom 19x14

one closet door (left) and entry door (right) into master bath

We ended our week going to church at Faith Promise Saturday night like always but we found the message especially heartfelt as it compared building a home's foundation to building a family's foundation. It was very easy for us to relate based upon what is going on with Deeradise. If you would like to hear more, check out Building a Firm Foundation.

Coming up on Deeradise this week, we will be finishing the first floor framing as well as starting the 2nd story floor and walls.