One Example of SIP Panel Installation

Pictures can only do so much...

Tools of the Trade

Hammers, saws, and levels are probably a few of the things that come to mind when thinking of the tools that are used in construction.  However there are many more that are used daily that all serve a different purpose, and a times are used in creative facets.  For example a sawzall is primarily used to cut straight through materials, but it can also be used to act as a large jig saw in a pinch.  The point is that it's important to have the right tool for the right job.  This is the primary reason there are so many different types of tools because every tool has a purpose.

When Phil gets to talking about the old days when he started building homes, he usually remarks that the only power tools he needed were a skill saw and a sawzall.  As is the norm in life, things tend to become more complex, the same is true for building.  If you took a look at most contractors tool box you would find, in addition to the previously mentioned tools, an impact driver, drills, clamps, volumes of sockets and adapters, compressors, nail guns, palm nailers, miles of extension cords, air hoses, grinders, big nasty burly beam saws, and the list goes on.  It may seem a bit extreme, but all these and more are required if one wants to finish a project on time and within budget.  This is why there aren't too many people still using hand saws and hand drills.  The building industry is constantly evolving and striving for production and efficiency.  This is due to the change in building codes, engineering, and architecture.

For the general public who might be curious about the tools of the trade enjoy browsing the library of tools that we use nearly everyday to bring concepts and dreams to fruition.

Coby with his trusty framing square and pencil in his mouth.

Known as a circular saw we only use Skilsaw brand circular saws.  This is the second generation Skilsaw known as the Mag 77.  It's a few pounds lighter than the original which equates to less fatigue throughout the day.  However the original model is pretty much bullet proof, capable of withstanding falls off roofs and being dropped on concrete.  There are scratches to prove this.

The Milwaukee Sawzall, they come in a few different sizes but all are worth their weight in gold.  It's always a good day when one doesn't need to break one out, but when you need one it's nice to know that you have one ready to get the job done!

Stihl demo saw.  Cuts though just about anything that isn't wood, concrete and steel are its bread and butter.  It's a two stroke engine that runs on mixed gas that will buck and scream so you better hold on.

Stihl blower, Stihl makes some of the best gas powered tools as many people can agree with.  The ease of start and power they provide is just comforting to the operator.  The blower has pretty much replaced the broom and dustpan, but one can never fully retire those.

There have been many air compressors to come and go throughout the years, this one is just barely a year old.  This model is neat because it is compartmental.  The top half is the compressor itself and the bottom is a large air tank.  The neat thing is that the compressor has a small air tank of its own and can operated independently.  This is nice for large jobs because you can set up the compressor next to a power source and run a hose to the bottom air tank next to were you need it.  Works great for jobs big and small.

On the left is 150 feet of air hose and on the right is 100 feet of power.  Some people don't like the blue "garden hose" but I would argue that it holds more air and therefore puts less stress on the compressor extending its life and providing the user more air pressure.

Occidental full grain leather tool bags with an extra goodie bag in the middle.  Occidental makes by far the best and longest lasting tool bags.  These belong to Coby and were given as a bonus for running a job while Phil was on vacation.

Some of the important items found within most carpenters tool bags.  Sharp chisel, torpedo level, 30 foot tape measure, knife, nail set, pencil, speed square, cat's paw, and a framing hammer.  Now if you look inside a contractors truck you will find multiples of each, some broken, some old, and some that only get used on special occasion.  The Whitakers like to name their hammers, this one is Ole Stubby.  I know Chad has had a few and I believe his current one is named Champ.

Las Ventanas, Yocum Residence 2013

More photos of the Yocum residence located near Lopez Lake in the Arroyo Grande Valley.  The general contractor, Bob Cantrell Construcion, is nearly finished with this house and therefore photos of the final product will be added soon.

The front entry is a vaulted roof utilizing 6x6 and 8x8 beams with tongue and groove (T&G) paneling. The rest of the house features beams similar to the entry in the hallways and great room.  The truss seen in the foreground was hand built and fit perfectly when set in place, that's craftsmanship.

On the right is the piano room and on the left is the dinning room which also features T&G like the entry.

Chad framing the tall walls in the entry, which are close to 18 feet high.

Starting with the garage and working our way north, 90% of the walls were stick framed due to the height and weight of each wall.  You can also get an idea of how we like to start framing.  Usually one person cuts the headers, top cripples, bottom cripples, and sills ahead of another crew which frames the walls behind the cut man. 

Apparently we all got the memo of what to wear that day. 

Bill Van Buerden Residence

This is the current location of P.C. Whitaker Construction's efforts. Located just up the hill from another house we built for Bill's brother last winter in Barren Canyon Estates. This house can be seen from the 101 freeway traveling north just off the San Luis Bay exit. This is a very unique location on a hill situated among Coast Live Oaks and chaparral. The location has been a challenge for shipping materials to the job site considering the grade, which is well over 15%, however every problem has a solution. 

This deck covers a first floor studio and serves as additional entertaining space for the main residence.

Facing the theater room and guest bedroom which looks out on the front courtyard.  Two sheer panels help to connect the steel framing to the wood framing.

A day with the crane usually involves Louie's Crane, a stack of trusses and a few good men working in beautiful harmony.  Installing the SIP panels took longer than a single day but came together not too differently than a stack of trusses.  SIP panels are a complete roof system.  They are complete in that they contain dense foam insulation sandwiched between two sheets of plywood.  Therefore combining a few different elements that, after installation, is basically ready for the roofer.  

SIP panels that cover the great room and a view of Shell Beach on the left and a sliver of Avila Beach on the right.

Chad building rafter tails that cantilever three feet past the edge of the exterior walls.

Hardware, hardware, hardware...

Coby taking full advantage of the "open office" concept and loving it.  

The beams that support the great room roof are nearly 35 feet in length and each weigh upwards of 2,500 pounds.

Leon Van Beurden Residence

These are some final photos from Leon Van Beurden's residence.  P.C. Whitaker Construction was hired for framing of the house in winter of 2013.

Coby cutting a stack of beams, posts, and headers for the house with a 16 inch beam saw.

The three car garage and studio above.

Part of the lani, the windows in the rear of the photo slide into the walls producing an 18 foot opening providing an indoor/ outdoor living experience. 

Shade and energy saving three foot overhangs surround the house.

The front entry with office on the left and breakfast nook on the right

Open concept living and dinning room.

Master bathroom windows.

Lani and back porch living and entertaining space.

Glick Residence, Lizzie St. San Luis Obispo, Ca

The following photos are from the Glick residence in San Luis Obispo, CA.  This home is a great showcase of what we can do.  From exposed beams, custom gutter details, and exposed aggregate concrete this house allowed us to express our craftsmanship. 

Each of the roof rafters were milled and set in place by hand as well as the custom fabricated hardware that holds each together.

Curved set of concrete stairs

Exposed aggregate flatwork surrounds the entire residence.

Boom pump pouring the footings.

Brothers, Chad and Coby with Madonna Mt. in the background.

Chad and (Dad, Owner) Phil pausing for a picture during the construction of the second story of the Glick residence.

 This is the saw mill at Bodie, Ca when I visited a few years ago.  I can't imagin running a mill with a blade that large.  Not much has changed however in the last one hundred years or so, carpenters still build homes with nails, hammers, and saws.

 Last winter we build a house in Las Ventanas, a developement in the Arroyo Grande Valley.  This was as the very begginning of the build.  Nearly everyday we encountered wind gusts up to 20 mph.  It ended up being a beautiful home.

 These are the beams that the owners decided to put in after the roof was already built.  Normally we would have built pockets in the framing and set these 30 foot long beams with a crane but that would have been too easy.  It took nearly a month to mill and set all of the beams in the house.

The Klempton family room ceiling.  Bob Klempton purchased this reclaimed wood from a barn in Wyoming and we installed it.  Each board was different from the last therefore we were given the artistic freedom to come up with a pattern and design for the installation.

This past week has seemed like an epic game of chess and tetris all combined into one.  The current site is quite limited with room and it feels like every part of this house has been a challenge.  But alas, within the last two days we have set 4 two and a half ton beams and begun the process of installing the sip panels over the great room.  The end of the roof is in site and it will be our goal and good fortune to finish the installation of the panels tomorrow.  Pictures are coming soon of the construction of the Van Beurden house.

The Beginning of an Era

This marks the first post of P.C. Whitaker Construction.  This space will serve as a showcase and update of what the company has done, is working on, and projects to come.