In the interests of keeping a small footprint, our pared-down floor plan lacked both storage space and much of a mechanical room. Our intention is to live simply, without the level of possessions we had when our family was young. Nevertheless, we have two storage lockers with about half of our possessions in them. Mostly tools and art supplies, plus the kids’ memory stuff. We often wish we had access to the tools these days.
So, when the necessary excavation provided room for a crawl space, 5’ at its tallest, we concluded this would be both storage and mechanical room. Maybe even a cold room and wine cellar. The builders ordered a floor poured, and cut out a troll-sized door in the foundation forms, and we have our bonus space.
door for trolls
Building with wood could start.
The basement floor would normally be a slab, under which we had planned to put 4” of styrofoam insulation, but because of the crawl space we now make the basement floor of wood. First, the floor joists for the basement, resting on those elephant-strong foundations. Onto the joists goes construction glue, then ¾” tongue-and-groove plywood, nailed and/or screwed down.
Then, on a day when D could be there, the first outside wall went up! So fast, it was. A double door, a single door, the sheathing all framed on the floor deck, and then raised in a couple of minutes with three sets of strong arms.
When I came back the next week, all the basement’s exterior walls were up. We could see the view and level from the inside. I made a decision to add another window to the view-side wall.
Once the outside walls are framed, 2×4 sills mark the perimeters of the rooms.
But, since we plan to have polished concrete for our basement floor, the first sill marks the level of the concrete. The concrete floor is poured before the walls are framed, to make it easier. I visited the site the day before the concrete was to be poured, and I’m very glad I could look at the space as it was mapped out, because I was able to change the floor plan slightly.
After pouring the concrete floor, another sill is affixed to the first one.
The house is finally becoming real.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great photo journal. This is very exciting. How big is the troll storage area and what is the lowest ceiling (if 5 feet is the highest)? Those are massive cement walls!
Indeed.I’m definitely enjoying following along. It get all of us a little involved. Very cool stuff.
B
crawl space is about 150 sq ft at 5′, and slopes to nothing at the high side. Lots of useful space there.
Man it’s getting exciting! I didn’t realize the concrete wall on the high side was that high! It’s huge.
I like all the pictures, gives us an idea.