The guys are finishing the windows by installing the trim package. They are using a new synthetic material Boral Truexterior that Rob says is better the AZEK for a number or reasons. It’s properties are very similar to wood but it doesn’t have wood’s negative properties. And it’s paintable. When spring comes the trim will be painted a dark brown to match the windows.
Still working on the windows. Chris from Klearwalls came down from NYC to answer some questions we had on the windows and doors. He doubled checked the fine adjustments of all the windows.
He told me that in Ireland and I think the full UK, that all house are getting an energy ratings. Old, very old and new, and the rating is published when a house is listed for sale. That really adds value to an energy efficient house.
The attached photos are the windows in each stage of insulation. Installing windows so that they are air tight isn’t easy. Lots of steps and lots of care to get it right is a challenge. Note all the tape, there is a tape for each function. Inside tape, outside tape……….. And finally the trim is added.
Now with all the windows in, and some sealed it’s amazing how warm the house is. Remember, it already has R-6.6 with the sheathing.
Dave worked during the week on flashing and prepping the roof for the in roofing crew to knock it out Saturday.
They worked all week on the first floor windows, with great progress. It’s nice being inside with the light. The guys installing the window said Friday “nice windows”. They have never see a European style window before, let alone a window the meets the German Passive House standard. One of the challenges with the windows is the big ones are heavy, and two they have to be sealed tighter the regular windows be cause of the tightness that house has to be to pass the Zero Energy Ready Homes standard. And third they have to be installed in the middle on the 10″ thick wall.
Today they started the windows installation buy cutting out the window holes. It was 9 degrees this morning (burrrrr) when they started. Also they worked on the first window installation, learning ho to install these European style windows, not an easy task.
Opening the window holes finally gave us a feeling of the amount of light we will get from all the windows.
And Dave my roofer started on the flashing.
Yesterday I was brush whacking trails around the 8 acers with a rented BobCat T300 track steer, But at the end of the day it blew a hydraulic line and was out of commission today.
Yesterday Don from ReVireo came out to do the first blower door test. I was not sure what to expect, being my first blower door test I’ve seen. We had sealed the house the best we could, but because of the big windows, bigger that a sheet of sheathing, I was sure there would be some leakage.
I think the testing at this point is more “art” that “science”. First Don tried the small fan, but that couldn’t move enough air, so he switched to the bigger one. With the vacuum setting, the fan sucking air out of the house, we got a 1.9ACH50. Which said the house had some small leaks. We switched to the pressurizing setting, blowing air into the house, and took a smoke wand to look for any leaks. Had trouble finding any, none on the first floor. Only one in the basement: the basement door, across the bottom, was loosing air, but that stopped when I locked it. On the second floor we found leaks along the main ridge board and the dormer ridge board. Which will get sealed a little later.
With that finding I consider the test worth doing and of value. Now off to windows, doors, roofing & siding. Shortly it will look like a real house.
Finely on New Years eve the storm moved out and we had clear sky’s. Note first photo.
Was a busy day, the guys from Bethlehem Precast showed up with the front steps, the Guys from Lancaster Pole Buildings were there doing the garage floor and another LPB vender was here making the seamless gutters.
The house is ready for a once over on the final sealing of the framing/sheathing. No windows help because it’s so dark inside and you can see any leaks because the light comes in.
Monday is the first blower door test, the we can start to install the windows, roofing and siding. We have switched the schedule to do the close-cell foam after the roofing and siding.
In Clear Sky’s
A busy morning.
The front steps, one precast piece.
The rain gutter, 48′ seamless, made on site.
Pouring the Garage floor.
Rain is still sl0wing us down. But we’ve made some progress. The house is fully taped. Rob’s guys are preparing it for the blower door test on Monday, buy installing the basement door and caulking and caulking. Being sheathed with no windows makes it very dark inside, thus it’s easy to see light coming in any openings. The front step arrive tomorrow. The garage is prepped for the floor to be poured tomorrow. And my work vehicle has arrived. Once the blower door test is done we start the roof, followed by the siding……….
Today the guys from Lancaster got the garage sided. Just some trim, doors and floor and it’s ready. I’ll guess by next Thursday. Here is an outside photo and a couple photos from up the ridge. of the hole complex.
I could cry, but what good sill that do. For those not on the right coast, we’re in a period of about 10 days of rainy stuff. So the blower door test has been pushed out at least a week. You can see the sheathing is done. 🙂 but no taping. And the Amish guys working on the garage, drive out from East Earl Lancaster county to get a half a days work done before getting drenched. So, we can’t dance, to wet to plow, so we might as well sing Christmas Carols.
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Our Net-Zero House 