Crunch time...

Determined to finish the roof before Thanksgiving, George and DJ worked in the rain for two days to get the job done. They then took a well deserved week off for some rest and relaxation.



While they were gone, Susan and I began to install the radiant barrier in the attic. The radiant barrier consists of very pure aluminum foil attached to a woven mylar center. It comes in 4' x 250' rolls, which we staple to the underside of the roof trusses. This product reflects over 90% of the radiant heat that normally enters the house through the roof. With 9' ceilings and another 15' to the attic peak, it is a real challenge to install this stuff without breaking one's neck. So far we have about half of it installed. We hope to have it finished in another week.



MGM Mechanical is installing the ductwork and venting. These guys do quality work and are a real pleasure to do business with. All that ductwork isn't making the radiant barrier installation any easier, though. It would have been nice to have been able to install the radiant barrier first, but we couldn't begin that until the house was closed in.



The ceilings over the deck and the front entrance will be covered with 3" beaded ceiling. To ensure a nice flat ceiling, we first install 7/16" OSB panels to the ceiling joists, then attach the ceiling boards to it. Installing the OSB today closed the last major open areas in the house. Now, with the exception of the soffits, the house is entirely closed in, and considering that we got our first measurable snowfall last night, not a moment too soon.

George and DJ will now begin installing the Hardie Plank siding while Susan and I begin to run the wiring. I am hoping that we can get the wiring done in the next two weeks. Once that is done and inspected, the sheetrocking can begin.

The pace quickens...

After installing the ridge vent screen, George and DJ wasted no time getting the steel roof panels installed on the garage, and this morning they began installing them on the house. The weather forecast shows the possibility of rain this weekend, and we are hoping it is wrong.



When we were laying out the kitchen floor plan, we ran into another "oops!" by Precision Panel. The kitchen window on the right was cut two feet too far to the right. I had to remove the upper and lower windows and cut new holes in the proper location. I then filled the old openings with the pieces I cut from the new openings, and reinstalled the windows. Now that looks better, doesn't it?


Renewable Energy Resources delivered our geothermal ground source heat pump today. It will be placed on a pedestal, then wired and plumbed in after the ductwork is installed next week.



Speaking of plumbing, we decided to have Goff's Plumbing install the remaining drains and supply lines. I had originally planned on doing the work, but what would have taken me two weeks to do, they can do in four days. I will, however, still do the electrical work myself, under the expert guidance of electrician Ray Pattan.

In my post of July 13, I mentioned purchasing a load of insulated panels. We used some beneath the basement floor, and the rest were to be used as insulation against the concrete basement walls. Here you can see that I have cut the panels to fit between the studs. This should not only slow down any heat transfer, but provide a radiant barrier as well.



This male American Kestrel managed to fly into the house through the opening for the front door, which has not yet been installed. I opened one of the sliding doors on the south side of the house, and he flew out unharmed. He is yet another example of the wonderful variety of animals with which we are privileged to share this amazing place.