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Long Live the 2″ x 6″

January 19, 2014 By Doug Francis

6th in 2014 Vienna House Project Series

If you haven’t seen the extra photos yet then I recommend you check them out (link below) because the framers have been working fast and using a lot of wood.

Custom Built home construction vienna va

Going Up!

Yes, it’s the exterior walls get the 2″ x 6″ lumber which adds more strength… as well as room for insulation, wiring and. sometimes waste lines.

Also notice that the interior walls are also being laid out and built. These allow for the joists that support the second story and eventually the roof truss system.

Like almost all new construction in Northern Virginia, the roof truss system is designed and built off site in ideal conditions. Not only are they at the exact pitch (like dropping 4 inches every foot – noted as 4/12), they are engineered to carry the load of the future roof spreading out the load for maximum strength.

Engineering for weather extremes

Roof Truss system for new construction in Vienna VA

To be lifted into place

Northern Virginia experiences all four seasons and any new roof needs to be designed for 15 degrees and 100 degrees, and be able to endure the weight of 2 feet of snow, or hurricane force winds. If you are relocating to Northern Virginia, understand that hurricanes like Isabel in 2003 hit the region as a Category 2 hurricane with 105mph winds. Or in 2012 the region was hit by the famed “Derecho” when a calm evening was disrupted within minutes by 75 mile an hour winds that crippled the D.C metro area for days. Read more here.

LVL carries heavy load new construction

Installed LVL

Those may seem like extreme examples to someone who doesn’t live here, but lessons were learned by the construction industry like when after Hurricane Andrew demolished parts of Miami. Essentially, it is important to over-engineer something as simple as a roof truss because extreme weather happens here too.

Something is Missing

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I started this series because my clients were relocating to Vienna from California and were back in LA. Sending them photo updates was fun, and putting together a series and publishing it here was okay with them. Basically, anyone considering custom built homes will enjoy following along and seeing all the extra photos.

interior photo inside house under construction Vienna virginia

Um, some windows are missing!

But when I took this photo I noticed that something important was missing. Like any custom built home, the designs may change slightly and the architect may revise the drawing a little if something is changed… like when windows are added.

Look at that wall at the end of the room, there were actually two windows added to the plan… but that revision wasn’t given to the framer. Luckily, he was still building the upstairs so the crew was able to add the window framing easily.

The two windows will actually be on either side of a gas fireplace, and they will really make the room feel special (wait and see).



I am planning to upload even more photos into the Google+ photo page. Since the framers work fast, it really is impossible to give you every photo in a blog post, and their format allows you to see everything in a high definition. Yes, that’s cool!

Click here to see the Vienna House Construction photos

back of new house vienna vaThis part of the construction comes together quickly and probably will involve the most dramatic change day to day… especially for the neighbors.

Hope you will follow along by signing up above and have some fun.

Have questions? Let me know!

Filed Under: Blog, House Project 2014 Tagged With: real estate, Vienna Virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house, we were thinking about raising the kids, updating, and building an addition. With our kids now out of college, our plans are looking at our next phase, especially after seeing friends move away and adjust their lifestyles.

So, what’s next after 25 years? It’s a conversation lots of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or move closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead to their new plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background… I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let me help you too: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

6808 BROYHILL ST
MCLEAN, VA
Photo of 6808 BROYHILL ST, MCLEAN, VA 22101 (MLS # VAFX2137956)
$2,499,000
49
  • Lot Size
    16,989 sqft

  • Home Size
    6,708 sqft

  • Beds
    6 Beds

  • Baths
    7 Baths

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Filmed in Vienna and McLean

https://youtu.be/ClqEIV1zoQg

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Case Studies

Listing Case Studies Continue Reading

Vienna Real Estate

  • $2,199,888 102 JAMES DR SE
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,295,000 2511 BABCOCK RD
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,088,888 8807 HIGDON DR
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,495,000 610 MEADOW LN SW
    VIENNA, VA
  • $3,600,000 626 HILLCREST DR SW
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,795,000 904 DALE CT SE
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,200,000 9838 CORAL BELLS CT
    VIENNA, VA
  • $3,300,000 10009 MURNANE ST
    VIENNA, VA
  • $2,525,000 131 KINGSLEY RD SW
    VIENNA, VA
  • $599,000 3005 SPICE CT
    VIENNA, VA
102 JAMES DR SE
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
$2,199,888
Lot Size
10,019 sqft

Home Size
1,062 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
7 Baths

2511 BABCOCK RD
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
$1,295,000
Lot Size
14,811 sqft

Home Size
3,240 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

8807 HIGDON DR
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
$1,088,888
Lot Size
10,455 sqft

Home Size
2,410 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

610 MEADOW LN SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
$1,495,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
3,368 sqft

Beds
6 Beds

Baths
6 Baths

626 HILLCREST DR SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
$3,600,000
Lot Size
23,523 sqft

Home Size
9,092 sqft

Beds
7 Beds

Baths
9 Baths

904 DALE CT SE
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
$1,795,000
Lot Size
10,455 sqft

Home Size
4,937 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
5 Baths

9838 CORAL BELLS CT
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
$1,200,000
Lot Size
20,038 sqft

Home Size
3,020 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

10009 MURNANE ST
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
$3,300,000
Lot Size
21,780 sqft

Home Size
9,750 sqft

Beds
7 Beds

Baths
9 Baths

131 KINGSLEY RD SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
$2,525,000
Lot Size
21,780 sqft

Home Size
7,793 sqft

Beds
6 Beds

Baths
7 Baths

3005 SPICE CT
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
$599,000
Lot Size
1,307 sqft

Home Size
1,940 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

  • 102 JAMES DR SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
    $2,199,888
    Lot Size
    10,019 sqft

    Home Size
    1,062 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 2511 BABCOCK RD
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
    $1,295,000
    Lot Size
    14,811 sqft

    Home Size
    3,240 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 8807 HIGDON DR
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
    $1,088,888
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    2,410 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 610 MEADOW LN SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
    $1,495,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    3,368 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    6 Baths

  • 626 HILLCREST DR SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
    $3,600,000
    Lot Size
    23,523 sqft

    Home Size
    9,092 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 904 DALE CT SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
    $1,795,000
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    4,937 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    5 Baths

  • 9838 CORAL BELLS CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
    $1,200,000
    Lot Size
    20,038 sqft

    Home Size
    3,020 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 10009 MURNANE ST
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
    $3,300,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    9,750 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 131 KINGSLEY RD SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
    $2,525,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    7,793 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 3005 SPICE CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
    $599,000
    Lot Size
    1,307 sqft

    Home Size
    1,940 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
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