Consolidated Kansas

[ByN8ureHomstead]

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wow, girl! That sounds like a seriously heavy duty deck! OKay, maybe I'll stick with my 2X4's if they do have the joist hangars for them, then I can save some time and work with what I bought. I'll have to get screws too- I only got the 3 inch and the 4 inch... that would go all the way through and then some.

I like using torx head screw, most of the time they come with a bit and they don't slip like a phillips head screw. If you're not careful you will suck the screw deep into the wood.

 

[chicken danz]

I agree. 2 X 4's are great if you aren't going to be walking around in there much. Chickens aren't that heavy. I have a couple houses made with 2 X 4's and some with 2X 6s. I can't see much difference in the way they function. I do use 16" centers though. I'm not sure why your DH is wanting to change the post holes unless he is thinking that you need to overlap the edges of the plywood on the exterior so you don't have a v invert on each corner. As far as the floor goes I have used various things for protection. I used linoleum on one because it was recommended, but it doesn't let the shavings dry out like wood does. A good quality protective paint like outdoor Kilz does a great job.

 

[Ivywoods]

3 1/2" screws work well with 2x4's. Deck screws, torx head. Have at least one extra torx bit just in case. When you go to put the screws in drill a 3/16" hole through the first board to start the screw. Makes life a lot easier.

Do your have a cordless drill/driver? I don't think I could live without mine! Actually, between hubby and me we have 3 of them. That way you don't have to switch heads every time you drill a hole then set a screw.

 

[chicken danz]

Your floor framing is only going to be as strong as the surface you put down for the floor. It is basically a framework to hold the flooring. If you put a thin plywood down that gives, you would need more joists. If you put a stronger wood down you need less. You don't need to put your 2 X 4s a foot apart. That is over kill. 16 inches would do fine. Also *HINT* where ever you put them, put them on CENTERS, do not put them just a certain distance apart. In other words if you are putting them on 16 inch centers. It would be 15 1/4" on one side and 16 3/4s on the other. The joist hangers are the easiest and most secure way to put up your joists. It is a time saver and helps when you are the only person there to hold them in place. For as little as they cost it is certainly worth it, especially if you are building up off the ground. Now if you plan to construct your floor frame on the ground and move it up on top of the posts, you could just screw it together without the use of hangers. It all depends on just how you intend to go about the building process. Judging from what you have however, it looks to me like you plan to construct using your 4 posts as supports.One key to building a successful project is to use the lightest weight options that give the most strength.
If I were building it I would add a cross member or two between each of your joists to tie them together. This adds strength and holds everything in place to keep it from bowing over time. It also gives you an additional nailing surface for flooring if you need it.
Is this confusing you?

 

[sharol]

I got a cordless drill and reciprocating saw last fall when we started working on the coop. I haven't regretted them for an instant. I got the one with a 1 hour charger (and it really does recharge in an hour). I couldn't have gotten the insulating project done without them. I got pretty sick of swapping the drill bit for the screwdriver bit, but I don't do enough projects to justify another one.

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[Ivywoods]

We need a lady with a toolbelt smiley!

 

[chicken danz]

We have probably at least 6 cordless drills plus several other battery operated tools that all use the same batteries, like a recipro saw and a finish circular saw. I am like the others. I put a bit in one drill and a driver head in another. It saves so much time. But we all have to do what we have to do with. Even with an extension cord a drill is still a drill. It's just a little more inconvenient if you have to tote that cord around.

 

[chicken danz]

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Yeah with a saying underneath it. "the best man for the job is a woman."

 

[Hawkeye95]

you all are funny! and so awesome that you KNOW all of this stuff! Geez! ha! Okay, I got back from Lowes and I picked up the 2X4 hangers and got exterior screws to put the hangers on with- 1 1/4 screws. Yeah, I am going to build this up off the ground. Just build it right where it's supposed to go, I guess. I also picked up a brochure on Ondura Roofing. It looks like they mashed in tar paper, and other stuff to create this wavy looking roofing that sort of looks like metal, but isn't. It felt kind of flimsy, but I've been reading so many other people buying this and saying how much they love it?? I looked at the bundles of composite and about died! Holy heck, did you all know how much shingles cost?!! I guess you would.

Ondura might be the roof for me! hehe!! I really loved the red color, too. They had lots of colors.. but the red looked really fun. I have a battery power drill- like you all recommended. I have two batteries for it- so when it dies, I can switch them out and charge the other one.

IvyWoods, my DH loves those wierd screws you're talking about- looks like a square end.

chicken danz, I think I've decided to use an exterior paint for the floor and just put on a lot of coats. I checked into a linoleum remanent while I was there and it will still pricey, and was a lot more than I needed. I read someone said (on another thread) that they used porch paint and that they liked it best. I'm glad to hear it, since that seems the easiest!

I went to the Habitat restore today, but they were closed. Looking for windows. I looked through their windows and could see their window section. I hope it isnt' too pricey. I'd love to just buy used, or find something on craigslist. I've even been thinking about making windows myself and making up a frame and putting in plexi. What do you think about that idea? I wonder if I could do it cheaper or if I'm better off finding old windows. We'll see. I'm going back to the Restore tomorrow to take a look around (they aren't open on Mondays). This is really a lot of fun!

 

[Hawkeye95]

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Yeah with a saying underneath it. "the best man for the job is a woman."

OMGosh!!! I LOVE that! There totally needs to be one like that!