This is our journal of what we pray is our sojourn of life (Hebrews 11:8-10) along the narrow way (Matthew 7:14), even the old paths (Jeremiah 6:16), submitting to the Bible as a light unto both (Psalms 119:105). It is our prayer that these documented moments in our earthly time benefit whom God might choose to edify, but ultimately that God glorifies Himself through them.

The Barn – Update II – The Loft – Update I

Recently, my brother Kevin, whom I hadn’t seen in quite some time, graciously offered to take some time off and come out and visit! It’s the first time he’s been this way, and it was very nice to see him!

David with His Brother Kevin When He Visited

He was here for around five days, and during the time, he graciously helped around the farm. With him here, I decided the main project he and I could work on was continuing with the barn loft, which I talked about in this blog post here. And so, since the beams were in place, it was time to start adding the floor.

Given the approximated 10-foot span, and I decided to go with 2×10 joists spaced at 16-inches:

Barn Loft First Floor Joists

Before implementing this phase, based on costs, I decided to use 3/4-inch plywood for the floor with 2×4 blocks, instead of 3/4-inch tongue-in-groove OSB or plywood; and here are the blocks on the back side:

2x4 Blocks Between Joists

And then for the blocking over the second beam, I decided to use full 2×10 blocks for added stability. While this picture shows the joists extended over the beam, we eventually slide the joists back so the blocks and joists would only cover half of the 4 1/2-inch wide beam, so Lord willing when the floor is extended from beam 2 to beam 3, half of the block-joist end covers the other half of the beam:

Full 2x10 Blocks Between Joists Over Second Beam

Since there was going to be some overhang of the plywood because of the horizontal metal purlins of the barn, I added a couple of 2x4s to help support under the plywood that was going to extend over. Quite frankly, I probably didn’t need to do this, or maybe I only needed one 2×4 instead of two:

2x4s Attached to Extend Floor Parallel to the Joist Blocks

And I added one to the joist running parallel to the barn purlins:

2x4 Attached to Extend Floor Parallel to the Joists

Here are the 2×4 blocks to support under the edge of the plywood at four feet. Before we tacked down the floor joists to the beams, we squared the whole section from corner to corner:

2x4 Blocks at Four Foot Spaces to Block for Plywood Sheets

And here is the first piece of plywood in place:

First Plywood Sheet in Place

We then added more floor joists along beams 1 and 2:

More Floor Joists Extending the Floor

And then added more plywood. Now, we need to add more floor joists to be able to continue adding plywood:

Several Plywood Sheets Installed

And here are Kev and I standing on the loft:

David's Brother Kevin and Him Standing on the Barn Loft

We are very thankful to the Lord for granting the resources to be able to make some progress on the barn loft, and we are very grateful to Him for allowing us the time and resources He did for Kev to come and visit!

— David

2 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    Wow, what a blessing and uplift to see you and Kevin in these pictures. I am reminded of the joy I feel each time my brother David and I get together. Distance, while at times troubling, makes the joy of seeing each other all the more. Lord Bless David!

  2. David and Susan Sifford

    Hi Patrick,

    It was nice to have him here, and we're very thankful for the time.

    We pray you and your family, and Dave and his, are doing well.

    Thanks much for saying hello!

    — David

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