Beam me.

Success! We have a beam! Is it strange that I think this beam is dang sexy? So this was the first weekend working on the floor parts. It took me three days to get the five 6x6 posts cut level, notched out for the 2x10s, fastened and plumb, and get the 2x10s up. A skilled carpenter could have probably done this job in 4 hours, but nonetheless, I feel like a badass for accomplishing this much.

Sexy.

Now, I get to repeat this process two more times. There will be three 32’ 2x10 treated beams that run the length of the shanty, spaced eight feet apart o.c. The beam is constructed by notching a 2x10 into both sides of the 6x6 post and fastening everything together with two 1/2”x7” carriage bolts. The floor joists will sit on top of these beams running perpendicular.

I am planning on using 2x8 floor joists, 16” o.c. and am debating on whether or not to use treated lumber.  I could save some cash monies by going with untreated and have read that even though it will be open/crawl space underneath, I have enough clearance from the ground where treated boards wouldn’t be necessary. On the other hand, I have read forums where people say they wouldn’t use anything but treated. I wish there was an almighty carpentry god that could give me one clear answer, because I am spending a lot of time wading through everyone’s opinions!

Onward!