But it also gave me a new found respect for all those who do construction, as a day to day job. of knowledge on how we were going to construct the cover. We took measurements and sketched designs. I used my skills learned in engineering class to design what we wanted out of a structure. I used mathematics and measurements to find the angles of the rafters for the perfect height and arch. After deciding exactly what we needed we started to acquire all the needed equipment for the job. This took us till the beginning of November when we could finally begin the building part of the project.
We began the project by tearing down the pre-existing pergola. We tore down everything except the 4 original supporting posts that we were going to use as the supports for the covered deck. After tearing everything down we cut, sanded, and stained, all wood pieces that were to be used on the structure. After sanding and staining,we began the actual build. First by applying 2X10's on either side of the structure. These were going to be our main supporting beams. Next we installed 4 2X6's to be the bases spot that we were going to use to hold up the 4X4's,that would hold up the ridge beam. After the installation of the 2X6's, we cut out notches on the top of our 4X4's to be able to hold the ridge beam. Next we installed the 4X4's and the ridge beam. Once the ridge beam was up we simultaneously installed the rafters and the fasteners that were to hold up the rafters. Once all the rafters were screwed into place, we began putting plywood on the top of the rafters to cover the structure. Once the plywood was in place,we began sheeting the top with metal. We screwed all the metal sheeting down just as the sun set on our last day of work. And finally it was over.
During the building phase my experience truly began. What started out as what seemed like it was going to be a simple job turned into a truly eye opening experience. The job was long and tiring and showed me the work that really goes into some construction jobs. This experience has not only given me valuable skills such as the ability to sheet a roof in metal, but has also shown me that this is not what I want to do with the rest of my life. It will give me something to remember every time I begin to think school is hard or not worth it. It has shown me that schools is worth it so i'm not stuck doing construction the rest of my life. But it has also given me a new found respect for all those who do construction, as a day to day job.
Blog Posts
November 7th 2017: Today we began the process of tear down. Using an electric drill and hammer I was able to tear down the structure. We tore down all the pre-existing pergola except the 4 main supports. After the tear down we separated all the wood into things that could be used again and non reusable materials.
November 18th 2017: After morning wrestling practice I came home and got right to work. All our materials had been delivered this week. We installed both 2X10's and all 4 2X6's using 6 inch bolts for support. Once we were finished with that My dad used the saw and cut all the rafters while I sanded them. He showed me how to sand properly to get a nice smooth surface. After sanding we put thin even coats of stain on all our materials to give it a nice finish.
November 19th 2017: Today was a shorter day than normal. I learned how to cut a notch in the top of a 4X4 for it to have the ability to hold up a ridge beam. We installed the 4X4's with a drywall gun and 6 inch bolts again. Then we slid the ridge beam into place.
November 22nd 2017: Today I hammered in one and a half inch nails into fasteners that we were using to put up our rafters. Next I used the same nails and installed the rafters while my dad screwed them in using an electric dry wall gun.
November 25th 2017: Today we got an early start. We brought a TV outside so we were able to watch the OSU game while we worked. We got right to work putting plywood onto the top of rafters. I was on the top of the cover screwing the ply wood down with inch long screws, while my dad put up trimming all the way around the cover. We got all the plywood installed except the finial piece.
November 26th 2017: Today we got another early start on the project. I finish putting plywood on the roof as my dad installed trimming. Once the Plywood was secured we added drip edge to help prevent leakage into the cover. Once that was installed we began sheeting. Using inch and a half dolts we secured all the metal sheets right as the sun set.