ᐅ Finally, the Topping Out Ceremony

Created on: 13 Apr 2017 16:50
N
Nordlys
So, after a few days of delays, things are moving forward again. Next week, I just received the email, is the topping-out ceremony. I’m supposed to have a bottle of schnapps and a glass ready, organize some soup, the foreman is bringing the ceremonial wreath, and then they want to celebrate a bit with us and our friends. It should be nice—Makita jobsite radio, a few cases of Flens beer, rum and cola mixes for the ladies, and since the structural shell is still clean, there’s no risk of getting dirty yet. The shell construction phase has its charm. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll have to tell my wife about it later at six when she arrives. Karsten
blackm8820 Apr 2017 19:25
Nice timber frame construction and pretty small rafters. It looks a bit "different" here, but you probably don’t get snow as often as we do :-)

Usually, the topping-out ceremony takes place once the "roof" is erected and roughly sealed. After that, the tiles are usually installed.
N
Nordlys
20 Apr 2017 19:26
It always says Veka on it. And then occasionally there are small yellow stickers with some text in Polish, along with English instructions like "Mount this side up."
But I looked up Veka. It’s a profile manufacturer that supplies window fabricators. Karsten
N
Nordlys
20 Apr 2017 19:36
blackm88 schrieb:
Nice carpentry work and nice small rafters. It looks a bit "different" here, but you probably don’t get snow that often where you are :-)

Usually, the topping out ceremony takes place when the "roof" is erected and roughly weatherproofed. After that, the tiles are usually installed.

Snow is less of an issue here than wind. We’re right by the sea, so it’s quite windy, but it rarely snows.
What do you people from the south do differently? Thicker timber?
The roofs here are almost always largely prefabricated in factories. The carpenters just assemble them on site. Karsten
blackm8820 Apr 2017 20:06
Not entirely. It always depends on the location and region. Our house is situated at 940m (3,084 ft) above sea level. This area often experiences heavy and long-lasting snowfall.
Our roof is a purlin/rafter structure made of glued laminated timber measuring 30cm by 14cm (12 inches by 5.5 inches), supported by double-T steel beams. The roof arrived "ready" in prefabricated panels, with only the insulation between the rafters still to be installed.
Y
ypg
20 Apr 2017 20:53
blackm88 schrieb:
Nice carpentry work and nice small rafters. It looks a bit "different" from what we have, but you probably don’t get snow that often there :-)
...

I held back from commenting earlier 😉
The rafters are very thin; I also saw this with the Heinz von Heiden houses. It’s not about the region but the house price: certain things are simply saved on.
However, Nordlys is upfront about building affordably – so I don’t want to criticize the builders here, just make an observation 🙂

I wish you good luck with the weather tomorrow and a great topping-out ceremony with locals from Oldesloe and rum mixers... Enjoy yourselves 🙂

Best regards, Yvonne
N
Nordlys
20 Apr 2017 21:16
Simply beam trusses. They have been made this way in Denmark for 50 years now. And they hold up.