Garage/Barn and breezeway

        This was a project for a couple whose kindness and generosity made a large project with a relatively long commute go that much more smoothly. It included a two level breezeway, two level barn, a small front porch and a future patio out back. Design: Carl Johnson and Soren Rono. Many thanks to Andy Cole and Doug Smith for their help.

The "before" picture.

There were quite a few levels to establish before the concrete subs could begin.

Connecting breezeway framing begun. The window by the ladder on the second floor became a door, for access to the upper level of the barn from the house.

Laminated veneer lumber and truss joists provided a clear span for the garage area.

Getting ready to start framing the barn roof.

The gable end is being cranked into place with wall jacks. Plywood, Tyvek, strapping for vertical siding, and the gable overhang, complete with pre-painted trim, is all installed before this step, to save on labor.

This is the back of the building. A patio is planned for this protected alcove.

The horizontal strapping seen started here in the gable area provides nailing for the vertical siding. It holds the siding off the wall, and in combination with backpriming, greatly increases the lifespan of the siding.

This small roof overhanging the garage doors prevents rainsplash from damaging the siding and doors.

Skylight being installed over the breezeway, and batten installation starting at the left of the barn.

The battens overlaying the siding allow the wide boards to expand and contract through the seasons, and is longer lasting and more weathertight than tongue and groove or shiplap siding. Thanks to Fred Heyes in Orange, Ma. for a great batch of pine for this.

Interior shot of the garage. The balcony at left leads to the breezeway, and the stairs to the second floor of the Barn/garage.

The covered porch on left fronts the breezeway/entrance.

Whipped up these doors in my shop pretty quickly. They match the style of the entry door to the garage, seen below.