Betty's Barn Reconstruction - Part I

After two full months, Betty's barn finally is taking shape. Here are six photos showing the work in the first month from mid June to mid July.

In the top photo, Betty's very talented hubby Albert is taking off the roof. The right side of the barn had a patio like roof that has already been take out. There are two trees in the picture. The very right one is inside the patio area of the barn. Yes, it's inside the barn, the roof was cut to allow the tree to stay. The original plan was to replace the roof only; the roof was damaged by the rain storm and the falling tree branches during the rainy season in the winter.

After the roof material was taken off, Albert tried to include the tree in the new roof but just was too difficult to do so. After much consideration, a tree service was called in to remove the tree. It was a very small tree when the barn was built in the 80s, now the tree was about 40 feet tall with fragile branches. Though it provided shade for many year, it had become too big and too dangerous for the rabbits living next to it. The second picture shows the tree service person doing the work. All the greens on the ground are the parts of tree after being cut.

The third picture shows that the roof material are taken off, the tree and the debris are cleared.

Albert decided to raise the roof to (a) accommodate a new and bigger swamp cooler, (b) increase the air circulation. The fourth picture shows the frame for the new roof.

The fifth picture shows all the support beams for the roof and plywood being installed on the frame. Albert also reinforced all the vertical support beams, at some places there are two beams next to each other. When the "Big One" hits California, this barn will stand.

The sixth picture shows the black felt placed on the plywood sheets. This is the progress up to mid July.

More photos to come tomorrow.