Moving on up!

Thank you, Minnesota weather, for finally allowing work to continue.  In one short day, the majority of the 2nd floor joists were installed.  No crane, no pullies.  Just two brothers who flexed their biceps when I asked how they got the joists up to the 2nd floor.  Impressive, guys!

Standing in the entry looking down the center of the house. 

View from the front, notice how the 2nd floor is cantilevered over the first floor.

The way the guys walked around on 2nd floor joists is insane. 

The algebra

It was a regular math meet in the DeMaster household last night.  We had to figure out how wide windows would have to be to have 3 equal-sized windows (w/ 6" between them) centered on the back wall AND the left-most window would need to be centered on the hallway.  As a couple that both likes symmetry, we didn't wan't to chance that the view would feel out of whack.  At one point, Andy said, "I have the first equation!"  I said, "So, I have the second one, too!"  

For my fellow nerds, here is the equation set:

          2x + 3y + 2(6) = 168

          x + y/2 = 45 1/2

          where: 

          x = length of the wall on each size of the windows

          y = width of the window (rough opening)

That meant that the windows would only be 32 1/2" each as opposed to the 36" ones that we ordered.  In the end we decided we prefer bigger windows to symmetry in this case.  Please assure us both that the windows look great once they're in - and COMPLETELY balanced.

And for the record, I won the math meet.