Post and Beam
Preparing the Grade Beam
With so many trees felled by wind over the last winter, this project seemed a better end for them than the woodstove. The trees were cut on a small portable sawmill and placed in a solar kiln for initial drying. Though the kiln did not completely dry the posts, sufficient moisture was removed to make them more manageable.
The first of 15 6X6 posts are set, plumbed, and braced.
Once the metal post bases were secured to the grade beam the posts could be set. Note the pressure treated 4X4 bale curbs are also in place. As these are measured, place a 6X6 scrap in the post bases at either end of the curb to provide accurate measurements, as the open widths of the post bases are 5 inches, yet the posts themselves are 5 1/2 inches wide. Finally, flashing was placed over the foamboard to keep it dry and intact, especially during construction. Ideally, this flashing would have extended up the face of the bale curb, but the distance between the face of the bale curb and the face of the foam board varied enough that the fit would not have been snug. Consequently, additional flashing will be added later.