The Blocking

There were gaps that needed to be filled across the framing inside, for this we did a lot of blocking using various sizes of cedar cuts. Blocking is important for a number of reasons. Aesthetically it finishes the interior nicely, but it also seals up the structure from drafts and helps keep critters out (although you can never really accomplish that fully). Finally it can add some structural integrity, for instance the blocks that fill the small gap between the rafters where they meet at the apex under the ridge board.

At the gable ends we used 2x4s cut at 45 degrees across both ends to seal up the gap between the rafter and the gable ends. The photo below shows these blocks fitting snugly into the framing.

We also needed to block the spaces between the rafters and the underside of the roof along both long ends of the bothy. We used 1x6s for this and cut the long end of each block at a 45 degree angle to match the roof pitch. Putting these in at the corners of the bothy was more than a little challenging given the lack of space to work, and I may have said a few swear words during that process.

Finally we made some custom size blocks to fill the gaps for the small space between opposing rafters at their apex. We decided this looked nicer if we let them hang down a bit longer than where the bottom side of the rafters were.

Various other blocking and finishing needed to be done across the bothy, I don't have as many photos as I would like, will go back and check the files again or take a few more at some point.