Tighter Than Passive House
Last weekend was a reckoning of sorts. We've been focusing on making the house as air tight as possible ever since the framing stage. The structural insulated panel (SIPs) construction goes a long way, but ensuring a tight envelope requires attention to small details, like filling or sealing off all cracks and gaps around windows and doors and between panels. The foam and caulk guns have been our constant companions of late.
We're Dried In
Snow is already falling in the passes, and winter is coming on fast. Luckily, we are now “dried in,” meaning the exterior of the house is complete and waterproof. Well, almost. We still have one small section of siding to complete, around the large south window that broke in shipment and had to be replaced. We are hoping to have that complete by next week.
Roof Is Ready for Solar
With this snazzy new standing-seam metal roof, the house is starting to look pretty put together, from the outside at least. Our 16 to 21 solar panels (still deciding on the number) will clip onto the raised metal seams. We've designed the south-facing roof to be at the ideal pitch to catch the most sun.
Progress Photo Album
Siding Started, Window Setbacks
Alex and I haven't been able to travel to Winthrop for the last two weeks because Alex is nine months pregnant with our first child (due date August 30!), and we have to stay close to the hospital. However, a lot has been going on with the cabin, and Dave and Lisa have been working hard on the jobsite. There has also been a fair bit of drama in the materials delivery department.
Framing Complete
We had seen it as a rendering, and we had seen photos of the house taking shape, but that was no comparison to seeing the completely framed home in person. When Alex and I drove into Winthrop, we craned our necks to see the tip of the roof (and were happy to see that the house wasn't visible from the main road). But driving up West Chewuch, we finally got to see the structure we had been working so hard to plan. And we were thrilled.
