Floor Update and Stairs

 The stairs are in. For temporary treads, I used one 2X6 and one 2X4 cut about two inches shorter than the finished treads will be. This will allow me to easily slide the sheetrock past the stairs when the time comes. Then after all sheetrocking and painting are finished, the temporary treads will be replace with nicer permanent ones.

 

Joists are in, mostly. So, even though I have a few more chores to do around the edge, I started installing the sub-floor. As mentioned before, I am using 3/4 inch tongue and grove plywood.

I had help from my brother and sister-in-law getting the first two rows started--it's been too many years since I last did that. Back then, tongue-and-groove was not the norm; neither were screws nor glue. However, now as then, it is essential that the first row of sheets be installed in a straight line. After that, with a little care, all the rest sort of slip into place. (Figuratively speaking, of course--it takes a bit of oomph to help them slip into place.)

Starting the 5th row. This will give us access to the stairs.

 This is a job that seems to go rather quickly, after all, one sheet is 32 square feet. However, I decided to use screws instead of nails. The result is a lot more time, but a much better floor.









Just a quick note. That 32 square feet of flooring goes on quickly. However, moving it is not easy. Sure, I only need to carry it across the 34 foot garage, tip it over and place it on the link so I can get to it from the house. Then I mark it every 16 inches along the edge to make it easy to line up any joists that may have bowed. A lot for one person, but it is doable. However, that becomes a completely different task when Mother Nature adds a rather blustery 25-35 mile-per-hour wind.


After the first day of installing the flooring:

Notice the landscaping: The piles of dirt have been moved and placed around the house and driveway.