This month we're visiting the new two story Gambrel Barn Home of Mark & Chris Eaker on their 60 acre estate in Frankford, MO, just outside of Bowling Green. As you'll see, the Eaker's built their barn home over a full "walk-out" basement, but not only that....Mark built the 7 acre lake that the house sits beside....too cool!! They used our 32x40 Barn House plans with the Shed Roof and the 8' Gambrel Dormer Window accessory plans.      Chris says:      "We have a very interesting story with the construction of our home in that it was built by an Amish crew. They were brought to and from their home by a driver that is hired by the crew to drive them and get whatever supplies needed. It was a fantastic and very unique experience. I thought about their life and how different it is from my own. It took about 5 months from start to finish and we are very pleased with the outcome. The Amish crew, with the help of Mark and I, did most of the work with the exception of plumbing, heating and cooling and painting. Here are the details of the actual house.....3 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths. The master bedroom is downstairs on the main level and then other two bedrooms are upstairs with a large loft area between them. We also went for two laundry areas. I didn't want to climb stairs to do the kids laundry so we made a washer and dryer area in the upstairs bathroom. We have a large wrap around porch which is covered on the front and back of the house. Very nice for sitting outside in the morning or early evening and watching all of the wildlife that we see. We have 4 Hummingbird feeders and we can sit and at any given time there are at least 5 at each feeder".      Let's take a look.... Basement excavation is completed and daughter, Alyssa and her three doggies, Cubbi, Otis and Charlie inspect the poured footing for the concrete basement walls. The steel is up and they're ready to set the forms for the walls. The walls are poured and the forms are stripped. A steel i-beam and metal posts will support the first floor comprised of 32' x 14" manufactured i-joists and 3/4" OSB T&G. The floor is finished and the exterior walls are framed with door and window openings. ....interior walls are next. They wrapped the exterior walls with 5/8" OSB and set the second floor joists. Mark & Chris hired an Amish crew to do the framing....they were very happy with their work. They built all of the trusses, according to the plans, in a jig up on the second floor.... ....and began setting them up in place. Run outa room on one end....you start on the other.... ....and close 'em up in the middle. Mark poses for a quick shot as the Amish crew sets up the last few trusses. They brace the trusses with 2x4's to keep them evenly spaced, plumb and right on layout until they can install the OSB roof sheeting. The trusses are up....by hand in one day!! They've added the purlins and fascia on both ends and now they're framing the two 8' gambrel dormer windows for plenty of light and ventilation. The dormers are framed and the 5/8" OSB roof sheeting comes up and over the top. Nice shot of the business end of the house. The gable end wall gets framed in and a shed roof is added on each side. Their "daylight" basement is just too cool!! These Amish guys don't waste any time....30 square of "Arch-80" fiberglass shingles.... ....and the roof's done! They've started framing the deck that will surround the new barn house. The upstairs walls get framed out....this is the fun part. Since the gambrel trusses are clear span and no interior walls are required, structurally.... ....you get to build your walls wherever you want!! Doors and windows are installed, the deck's nearly done and the vinyl siding is going on. Inside, the kitchen gets finished up. A little rock and landscaping and Mark & Chris's new barn home is really taking shape! The lake side of the house with the wrap-around deck....sweet! Nice shot of the "walkout" basement!! Mark & Chris did a lot of work setting up their new barn home, but.... ....look what they've got to show for it!!! Nice work, guys!!