Beams

This week we put up the beams that run down the middle of the house and will provide support for the joists.  These red oak beams will be exposed so care had to be taken to not scratch the wood.  Below, you can see the contraption we built just to lift the beam.  

(Insert funny tagline here)

Once the top beam was in place with a temporary support under it, we took the measurement for the permanent support beam.   We cut it, applied the little base to be able to nail it to the floor and up it goes.

and up...
Almost there...

Light at the end of the tunnel...

Yeah!  

Finished product (just like in the shows, looks like it happened in an hour, when in actuality it was the next day.)  Notice, too, the joists above.

As you can see, the one beam has been sanded and finished, but the other 2 still need the finishing.  Homework for the weekend.