Vigas & latillas, the ceilings are being built! – Homes in Santa Fe

So what is a viga and what is a latilla?

Vigas are huge trees chopped down and cut to size. They serve as support in both ceilings and can be stood upright and used as columns.

Latillas are smaller versions of vigas, they are the branches, hand peeled, and usually are cris-crossed on top of vigas for decorative purposes.

Because these beams are so massive and are extremely heavy, a crane had to be rented to pick up each viga and set it in place. Its a long tedious process and requires the framers to pay really close attention to what they are doing. Dunno about you, but I would hate to have one of those dropped on my foot!

Oh yeah! Its all coming together!