Winter Challenges on our Off Grid Homestead

[@andrewmaiden3738]

Hi Guys, The following is in no way a criticism as I know you are both newbies to construction. Can I suggest you do the following straight away to the new solar/Porch cover to minimise any possible future grief. The first is based upon the fact I have watched you use building blocks to support the pallet floor base. I haven't seen you secure those to or into the ground (maybe I missed it), when you put the roof on the structure you are creating a potential sail in windy weather, don't rely on weight or no wind to mitigate that effect. The securing to the cabin helps the rear of the floor mitigate a problem. As you are where you are now I would strongly urge you to acquire some rebar rod and drive 3 or 4 lengths circa 4ft into the ground on the front edge of the platform and double clamp?staple them to the pallets (quickest & cheapest option now).The second suggestion would be to cut some triangular pieces circa 9-12 inches each adjacent edge (as wide as you can get but circa 3-4 inches and brace each vertical pillar to each horizontal joist (minimises lateral movement. On the roof either buy some galvanised right angle brackets circa 4 x 4 x 3 inches and brace the roof timbers either side on the horizontal plane, Here in the UK they are really cheap. If a problem simply use some scaled down triangular wooden braces. It is all about easing the risk of movement. Envy your lifestyle and only want to make the future a bit more hassle free.

[@LilianaLepore-r7b]

❤your intros are so beautiful. Music and images in perfect harmony ❤

[@knelson5442]

I love watching the two of you defer to one another and rely on each individual strengths. Iwan is the king when it comes to all things wine, brewing, vitner, and pruning while Carissa you shine with your mathematics and building principles carrying the day. You could both teach masterclasses on building strong partnerships, shared reliance and just supporting one another’s goals. Your channel is great to watch. Love it every week. The lovely dogs, cats and chickens are icing on a cake. The highlight for me in spring is watching for Carissa to spot a bird high above her filming, mid sentence. Total entertainment.

[@karateana7593]

I totally agree, the mutual respect and consideration is a beautiful thing to watch, they work so amazingly well together, it makes me jealous for such a relationship.

[@andreajoybelle]

Yes, I too agree 👍🏼👍🏼💜

[@flowersflowers473]

100% agree! More people should learn from this. Their skills have come on leaps and bounds thanks to the shared partnership.

[@annettafick2100]

I really can't find the correct words to describe the way you two make me feel while watching your video's. Love you and your animals to the moon and back. Love from South Africa ❤❤

[@DIYGUY1-2-3]

OSB for outside may warp badly. Treated Ply would be better. Corrigated sheeting better still and mount your solar panels on top. 45 deg knee braces on the end posts will add stability in wind.

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thanks!

[@coby6417]

👍👏🌟🍀💐

[@theyellowbootshomestead]

Love this one- extra calming, while also extra inspiring, this week! You guys are so awesome:)

[@victoriakopp1483]

Another great video. The beginning is my favorite. Keep up the good work, you two are lovely. Your animals are so beautiful.

[@janebrommet7942]

I am not a responser but now i will tell you that i mostly enjoy your vies.. the music, wildlife garden animals and the way you2 trekt each other in respect..such a warm feeding. It is as it is. Thank you for that❤😊grtz from holland

[@bluelilly22222]

i like watching you both working together❤

[@louiseupton3363]

That little cabin is going to become so toasty warm in winter. Can't wait to see it finished 👏

[@johnrevill1087]

Have a look at wind turbines too top up your power banks in the winter when the sun is not as constant

[@margaretlovelock7031]

Good idea‼️

[@lindapowell917]

wind turbines don't have the same "shelf life" as solar panels do. We totally eliminated ours when they quit working but an investment in a converter and some batteries would be helpful. We used a forklift battery and it worked great but the problem is getting one and moving it, they weigh a lot. Just my 2cents worth,

[@mariaisabelperezmiori9394]

@@lindapowell917Totally agree with you.

[@gretaknight6662]

Loved the music today, as has been said before your building skills are amazing...love all your animals, like how they try to help!

[@rachelfrees1268]

Two artist at work. Your olive oil label is perfect. You’ll solve the needed solar power. Fall flowers are stunning.❤

[@irislozinsky3960]

A real treat to see your flowers doing so well. We are under 3ft of snow already and Minus 8 degrees!! (Central Saskatchewan Canada)Love watching you two and your special doggies

[@pdq5465]

They are having nice weather, aren’t they? Here in southern Ontario (Toronto area) we’re possibly going to get some wet snow over the weekend. I started school in Regina. Don’t miss winters there. Good luck🍀🤞🇨🇦

[@deborahlee8135]

Building skills improving every day. That's a solid structure. 😊

[@greenphoenix687]

I so love my weekly visit to your space. Always calming... always a joy. Loved the olive oil labels.

[@rosemaryjasper1121]

Another winner, just love the atmosphere your videos convey. Nothing rushed, or hurried. It’s amazing just how many times Diego comes to check up on the pair of you, he does like to know what’s going on! Have a good week, hope the weather is kind to you!❤

[@matthewvoisey]

Could try using fibreglass on the OSB roof. Can paint it also. If you can get hold of it there that is.

[@stateofgrace9068]

Your 'L' cut is to create a half lap joint - you two have come a long way in your building skills! One way to tighten up an angle joint is to use a kerf cut - using something like a Japanese pull saw, work it between the pieces that need to be brought closer together. The new build is going to increase your comfort levels so much

[@MsHapless]

My Saturday treat, another fabulous video, loved the intro, loved it all, as per. Diolch x

[@jamesrivis620]

I would suggest canvas for a roof and,where it crosses the front edge,attach a dowel to reduce wear. USB will warp horribly. Drop the front edge down and attach ornamental weights

[@monolithicbiaviscide]

I also wouldn't use OSB. Cheap corrugated metal sheeting might be a suggestion?

[@rosbeaton637]

Beautiful video, music, shots of the garden and sky, and the animals, of course. What great work on the framework today!❤ It showed the great skills you have developed. Well done. I hope you can solve your roof problem🙏

[@tlmiam1]

I received the lavender t shirt, and I really love it! Thanks! 🙏

[@ludovica8221]

My mum loves this channel, and Carissa reminds her of her mother (1896--1978), (Called Olive !) Timeless,,,,

[@michelebushnik2874]

Awe missed you two! Been away for a few weeks, so lovely to catch up and see the pergola construction, the land, the animals, and flower shots, calming music, garden. Peaceful nature.❤ Thank you for sharing! It's a Happy Thanksgiving in Usa! So blessed!

[@janmccann8081]

Nice one! Frankie and Diogo on the sun lounger!

[@lindagordon3581]

Nicely done! Your skills have improved over the years and your tools have increased. Love those pups❤

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you very much!

[@isnoo1]

Your videos are becoming truly a work of art. I LOVE your partnership in all you do together, the way you care and love your animals and garden/trees etc. I truly look forward to each of your posts. THANK YOU both.

[@mercedesmoyano7862]

Hi from Australia. You are a very nice couple, I love your unpretentious manners, so relaxing to see you both, love it.

[@joyharding6052]

We haven't seen Uncle Nick for ages, is he ok? Love your vlogs. You're working so hard to establish yourselves. You're real inspirations x

[@jeanrichardson2044]

Pop over to Portugal Project. Uncle Nick is very busy.😊

[@jbmckean]

lift the sweet potatoes up and get a few crates get ssome dry soil and put some in the crate.about couple inches then add some sweet potatoes/potatoes. dont let them touch ..cover with another couple of inches add a few more potatoes/sweet potatoes ..and do this untill the crates are full store in a dry place out of sunlight they should last 3 to 4 months use as you need them.

[@susanlauchlan3539]

In the states, we sometimes use rolled roofing on low pitched roofs. It uses a bit of tar between the sheets.

[@lindagage7315]

Looking Great! Well done

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you!

[@Winnie-hq5hs]

Thanks for another lovely video. I always enjoy my weekly visits to your Portugal. The house will be so good when finished😊

[@andrewwatson5346]

FOR THE ROOF … I suggest roof membrane on to of the OSB then roof batten . This way your solar panel clips will have some to screw into as the OSB is thin. Then later one a final top finish is decided upon the batten can come off. Good luck it will be a great addition

[@laurannwalton7654]

Love what you do, so peaceful 🥰🇬🇧🇪🇸

[@Aotruba]

GREAT Teamwork and progress!! We admire your hard work and perseverance ❤ Adorable pets 🐶❣️🐶❣️🐈❣️🐈❣️🐈❣️ Photography is stunning - beautiful flowers and vegetation 💖

[@sahlaamorris3180]

OSB is considered a very poor cousin to solid wood in the country i come from and to be used, not as a finishing wood, but a never seen internal, supporting wood. Solid wood is considered to be more robust. Unless you treat OSB to protect it from the elements, and solidly reinforce this it will not hold its shape outdoors. Check with someone in the know about what to do so it will last longer.

[@racebanning6390]

Morning from Idaho 730am here , rain today, too warm for snow. My java has eggnog today, holiday style. That solar cover is looking good. live & learn, great shade, rain catchment too. Add 2 corner diagonal braces and yur golden. Henry makes a Elastomeric white Gallon for $36 . It is for roofs. They also make an RV product that would work the same , Roll it on in 2 apllications, Voila. Sealed for many years . They make membrane roofing underlayments that are stout, peel & stick👍. Be blessed All on the FoggyFarm.🙏🙏🙏 Oh..... on taters, you can slice, bag, & freeze. Thaw to cook.

[@karateana7593]

Thank you for your consistent and beautiful vids, you are my favourite channel.

[@juanitakauffman6336]

So peaceful into and exit. Love your flowers. The cabin is coming along nicely.

[@AbigailGerlach-zt1sh]

Good morning from Colorado! We are currently enjoying 15°C weather which makes the slide towards winter a more gentle experience. It will until it snows again anyway. Thanksgiving is the 28th. A reasonable excuse for making and eating copious amounts of food, interspersed with napping and football games. Then comes the difficult task of what you'll do with all the leftovers. Good times! 32 days until Christmas...I'm not ready! Also, it's a chance to repeat Thanksgiving in quantity and quality. Everyone eats weird combinations of appetizers, sweets and the occasional dish of something good for you that some evil genius slipped in secretly. Then after New Year's we all go into massive guilt and diet as though we had a chance to be on the cover of Vogue! 😂😂😂😂

[@jeanettenicholas2863]

Store your potatoes in a dark place that way they will not go green. And will last good luck

[@yvonnedavies9693]

The bitumen roofing felt attracts the red spider mites. These are a particular problem for chickens. 😊

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Ooh good info! Thank you!

[@annalinekennedy1027]

Your building skills are so good. Bit by bit during the winter and on summer you will be moving in❤❤

[@debramairs7806]

Stunning video guys, second time watching this episode! You are doing so well, winter is coming, you need that new shower urgently xxx ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kellyh8347]

I love the dancing 🍂 leaf from the beginning-hanging on by a spider web thread! Such art! You both are doing a 👏 great job!!

[@jbmckean]

you answered it your self ewan use a paint.. or a wood stain.. make sure the paint is water proof for outdoor use ..the stain will be water proof as its for sheds and out door fencing .

[@lizf9686]

Great vid as always, beautiful intro with dancing leaf and loved seeing Frankie and Diogo relaxing on the chaise longue 😁 basking in the sun while Carissa and Ewan work, what a life! 🤩

[@Ranacreativity]

You really chose the right colour for the cabin,it looks really lovely in the sun,with the shadow of the olive tree .

[@mlduong6739]

Would it be nice to add kitties in the logo? Just love seeing what a wonderful life actually is! ❤. Thank you for sharing. 💐

[@Allison-c8m]

Sorry after thought…. Or If you have any of your roofing material boards you used the Insulated aluminium boards you could use that 👍👍👍

[@lindatemple5454]

You can use tar to protect the roof as it’s a great sealer

[@chrisjones-ys5zg]

nice one guys.. you can also put a hinge riser frame along the top incase you want to adjust the angle of the solar panels at some point in the season?... stay well.. much love xx

[@FrankieOffGrid]

That's a great idea! Thanks!

[@chrisjones-ys5zg]

@@FrankieOffGrid ❤

[@spiderbush129]

As for the roof metal sheets they will last a long time

[@jenniferkelly6450]

Absolutely STUNNING guys. I love it, the lights look fab. You work so well together. Hugs, Jenny, Cape Town ❤

[@ilsecoetzee1138]

Beautiful video as always. I really wish more people would subscribe! I love your channel and look forward to it every week. Keep it up, you inspire a lot of people! ❤

[@sueholden3320]

You have come a long way since that first chook pen, congrats

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Haha thank you!

[@carolbulmer8253]

Hi, Carissa and Iwan. Your videos are a delight to watch and listen to. The roof for the solar panels over the deck looks lovely with the lights. See you next week❤️❤️

[@tlmiam1]

I like that graphics app!

[@barbarahezel5750]

Seems like alot of sunshine in the back better for solar panels.

[@susangranger3089]

Wow your home is looking amazing, all coming together nicely. ❤ xx

[@settedesign7]

Yes! The lights at the end with the raw wood structure, golden light to pink golden sunset!

[@uppanadam]

Another perfect video guys!! Keep up the hard work!! Cheers!!

[@FiuMcFadyen]

Thank you for another calming video ….lovely to see Albi with her winter coat ….and of course Frankie and Diogo 🦮🦮

[@projectportugal]

Wingardium leviosa, loving the magic leaf❤

[@larryshafer8055]

Love your video start up of Nature & music and also your gardens .IF YOU HAVE MUCH WIND THERE, the wooden pallets on the ground below the roof of where you are putting up the Solar might need to be anchored down somehow because there is a possibility a wind gust could build up under there and if your pallets are not anchored down could push upward . I guess there are numerous ways to anchor it down. Happy holiday season . 👍👍🌲

[@sydneyevans2637]

Got a kick out of the dogs on the lounge watching you work.

[@dawnkerr6966]

Love your progress. Your ? about the roof, maybe roofing colourbond sheets

[@timatkinson5103]

Bravo guys. Looks fab. Cover the roof and sides and creates your own bar/chill room. Well done.

[@Chailehandsome]

You two are a great team so impressed with all your good work. Think the weather is grey and very unusual everywhere . Good luck 🍀🍀🍀 stay safe ❤😊

[@barbaranielsen2888]

Another project engineered and completed by the two of you! You must feel very proud and accomplished

[@huckyduck]

Another beautiful video. Thank you both. And I love the labels! They look fabulous. 😁🙏

[@anastasiasarafido2687]

Good morning! You have to pick them before the first frost and to cure them from about two weeks in a dry place .Then you can consume them.They can last all the winter if you will store them in a dry place.

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you ☺️ I’ll keep an eye out for the first frost. We might eat them all before then hehe they’re so delicious 🥔

[@duikmans]

You could use black MDF panels. They're waterproof and especially made for outside construction. No need for any treatment or whatever.

[@JTTW1455]

Such a pretty place, your homestead.

[@Patricia-v9v6j]

Hello my loves......wonderful job ... can't wait to see the finished product....loves and Blessings...Patti from Pennsylvania

[@Kevinlinnane]

As always guys , great Sunday morning chill out watching you move forward with the solar project, love the videos, and the animals, and Clarissa you are becoming a legend with your creative intros .. ❤

[@NigelHamer]

I would just cover the OSB with roofing felt the type used on sheds in the UK (Green Mineral type) then fold the felt over the front edge and under your top beam, holding the edge in place with pieces of wood screwed to the underside of your top beam. Then put diagonal cross bracing (600mm) from each upright to the top beam to provide lateral stability (side to side movement), which you don't have at present.

[@leonietaylor4227]

Yes,I put roof felt on a stable like that. with bituminosas,all bought at Bricodepot here in Spain

[@faithvansanden82]

Great video as always ❤

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you ☺️

[@lidanaude8022]

❤ The couple you know Sarah and ..oh i forgot his name .. They used burlap and made a mixture and added a latex paint I think for a waterproof covering. Do not know if you guys might like it or not but it seems to work ok. Love your channel so much! So calming and a pleasure to watch.

[@MsHapless]

Luke and Sarah's off grid life.

[@DanSmith-v4l]

Good job.

[@projectportugal]

Also loving the hours you've put into the calculations❤️

[@kellyh8347]

Hey Nick!!

[@csilviageo]

Amo essa época do ano. O verde está por toda parte. A propriedade está linda.💚💚

[@projectportugal]

Lovely video guys ❤

[@whiztalula]

would adhesive felt roof shingles work for under the solar panels? they come in strips, are easy to install and you can get all sorts of colours

[@ritafoster4958]

The opening photography shots are just gorgeous! The mist, the silver’d spider web and flowers- your artistry is splendid. You weave a cosy web of tranquillity and peace around us, and I always feel happy and safe within your magic cocoon. ( clearly my inner Celt reacting to yours. 😉) Thank you, Carissa and Iwan, for inviting us into your lives and sharing a bit of it with us. In these uncertain times, this respite is priceless. ❤️❄️☃️🇨🇦

[@FrankPolnau]

Bravo on your accomplishments, nicely done. I like that you have found that working at bench height is more efficient easier and more accurate. Please remember this for future projects, it takes a bit of time to set up but saves you time (and your back and knees)in the long run. All the best to you

[@stknmggs1788]

You work together as a team!

[@knelson5442]

Half Lap joint. Maybe use roofing felt on top by of the painted OSB then install your panels.

[@LizBunting-j6n]

Try pond liner to waterproof the roof of the pergola, it's pretty tough stuff.

[@michaelcravens3767]

Have you thought of just placing a metal roof up? It should be cheaper than OSB and a roofing product. Also don't forget to place some corner brackets up, that way you should not have any sideways rocking in the frame. Good work over all, look forward to next weeks video.

[@jeanrichardson2044]

I use sweet potato ( kumera, in NZ ) and chickpeas and make a large pot of curry. It is yummy on a winter's day and I store excess in my freezer. It stores well.

[@richardrynko]

Use polycarbonate sheeting,corrugated.

[@matthunt2128]

Maxmat sell bitumen rolls. At the back of the shop near the plasterboard supplies.

[@suedale1865]

Thank you both for beautiful intro into your solar pergola Well done it is looking good I see some comments offer advise hopefully constructive for you I do think the wind turbine a good suggestion if you were in UK Today storm Bert would be giving you endless energy ( blowing a Hooley ) See you next time 💜💙🐕🐈‍⬛🐾🐕‍🦺🐓

[@christine3358]

Great job, I hope you see how your skills are getting better and better and getting some a 😂huge satisfaction from your efforts.

[@kathybourdo6687]

Perhaps in the future the two of you could build a root cellar. Maybe not underground, as your land appears to have an abundance of water. There are buildings called Spring Houses, used as an old fashioned refrigerator system.

[@PattyDittman]

By the time you’re done you will be pro’s

[@elainetitchiner6988]

Fab video as always 🥰👍What about corrugated plastic sheeting for roof ?