Drywall has started

All of the inspections and insulation have passed - and drywall has finally started hanging. I asked the drywallers if they had any comments on the SIPs - and they didn't have anything out-of-the-ordinary to discuss. Before they got there, they thought the SIPs might have made it easier to hang drywall.

Being the Professional Builder I am, I hear the word "easier" and immediately question if that means "less cost." Somehow, that never seems to work, though. :)

The drywall is set to be complete in early April - and then the fun begins as we put the finishing touches on the interior!

Still Moving Along

Wow! A month has come and gone - and I haven't updated my blog. If there's anyone left out there willing to wait for me to update, here goes....

The house is now completely framed and all mechanicals are roughed-in. It seems that most everything went pretty smoothly with the SIPs! As mechanicals were being roughed-in, we found some locations where we had to double up sections of wall - because the plumbing was shown on an outside wall - and we didn't want to mess up the integrity of the insulation, etc.

We did get to make the news. If you'd like to see the clip, just click on the following link:

http://www.whptv.com/content/green/default.aspx Click on the "VIDEO" link - and it should take you to where you need to go (as long as they keep it on their site).

It'll give you a glimpse of the house, the homeowners, and yours truly...

We've also had the 3rd Party Verifier out for the site inspection (Bob Yanover). The completed form for the NAHB Green Building Guidelines was submitted to Mr. Yanover as well. He'll come out at the very end. If all goes as planned, we're expecting to have a GOLD certification!!

I've already told the homeowners how proud I am of their house - and I'm hoping to enter it into some Green Building Awards Programs next year!

We also had the heat pretty well installed already. The customers chose to go with an oil hot air system. One of the components we used was a double-wall oil tank - that helps to protect against any leaks, etc. The price difference to go to that tank was very minimal - and it's a nice looking unit (as tanks go)....

All of the siding is now complete, too. The customers chose pre-finished Hardi-Board siding. That'll get you some points because no additional finish is needed on the siding once it is installed.

Comfort Home was through to do their sealing. They have a few spots to get yet this week. Drywall should start very soon!!

Well, that's the story so far...

Framing has begun

Since my last post, the following has taken place:

The first floor decking was installed. The floors have been poured and the house has been backfilled. Doesn't seem like much since December 19th - but we did all this in preparation of the SIPs framing - and we fought some bad weather (and threw in the holidays, too).

Anyway, the SIPs arrived on site early yesterday morning. Along with the SIPs themselves was our representative from the Murus Company - Jay Shultz - who took the long trip down from up north to meet with our framers to help with any questions they may have. It was very much appreciated - and I'm satisfied with our selection to use Murus. I'd highly recommend them to anyone.

I had invited all of the members AND the Board of the Harrisburg Home Builders Association to show up and see the installation take place. Two members showed up (Gary Lenker and Al Hughes). Gary brought his framing crew along - since he's looking at a project that calls for SIPs (and, I believe, he's already working with Murus on this project).

We learned that the difference between our traditional framing techniques and the SIPs is that the entire SIPs wall panel needs to sit on the box board. Traditionally, our stud wall would sit on that - and the exterior plywood would run down over the box board. Our floor system was set up this way - so our framer needed to take the time to trim some panels down. We'll know for next time, though.

I stopped by the site this morning - when no representatives from Murus were around - and asked him what he truly thought about the SIPs (and told him to be honest with me). He said that he had no problems with them - they were no different (installation-wise) from panelized walls. It's just different - but he has no problem with them.

He did mention that they're thinking about trying a different procedure for the second floor walls. The cam-lock system is accessed from the exterior side of the walls. There must be a good reason for this - but I'd think it'd be more convenient if it were accessed from the interior. Anyway, the height off of the ground makes using the cam-lock on most every panel very labor-intensive (up-and-down the ladder, move, repeat, move, repeat, etc.). They're going to try assembling the whole wall while it's laying flat on the 2nd floor deck, engaging the cam-locks while down, installing the housewrap, and putting the entire wall up at once. This is not so different than stick framing an entire wall at once - just need to remember the foam caulking, etc. We'll see how that works!

Construction progress should mean that we're expecting roof trusses on Tuesday or Wednesday next week (Jan. 20-21). We're going with traditional trusses instead of the SIPs roof panels. The cost vs. benefit had us choose the trusses with raised heels (for additional insulation) instead of the SIPs roof. Windows and doors are planned for around Friday the 23rd.

Rough-ins will start shortly thereafter - and our first inspector from the 3rd party verifier will be scheduled. I need to work on finalizing the GBG checklist. To ease the verification process, I have started a ring binder that I keep on my desk for each phase of construction. I store anything that I think may come in handy for verification purposes.

Superior Walls Set

Yesterday, we were able to set the Superior Walls - so construction is now officially underway! The folks rolled in at 9:00 and were done by early afternoon. All seemed to go off without a hitch.

For anyone keeping track, there are a number of advantages that turn into GBG points by using the Superior Walls:

1. No waste as these are pre-cut/assembled components (Section 2.1.6).
2. Insulation value of 12.5 for the XI wall (Section 3.3.1).
3. Locally sourced.
4. Technically, no more is needed to finish the wall (inside or out). In this case, we'll be covering with a stone exterior - but it is not necessary. (Section 2.1.5)
5. The walls are waterproof (Section 2.2.11).
6. Superior Walls provides instructions to give to the homeowner for propoer care/maintenance (Section 6.1).
7. We'll have perimeter drains installed with these walls (Section 2.2.3).

Special thanks to Advanced Concrete for their quick service in manufacturing, delivering and installing the Superior Walls! The site was a bit muddy - but they came through with flying colors!!

Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Rich Gundy of Gundy Excavation for preparing the site. This was quite a job - and the driveway cut and pad preparation for the Superior Walls was not for the faint-of-heart! He made sure to install appropriate erosion control/silt fence - which was especially necessary for the sloping lot. His efforts are going to provide us with many points from Section 1 of the GBG - dealing with lot preparation & development!

Next, we'll be delivering the steel beams - followed by the floor trusses (week of the 29th). Once the floor deck goes on by one of our good ol' Pennsylvania Amish crews, we'll schedule the concrete to be poured. That way, we'll be able to effectively backfill the foundation.

Then.....bring on the SIPs!!

Merry Christmas!

Update - Finally

Well, I guess it goes without saying that I'm not the most efficient blogger. Time passes so quickly - as it has been two months since my last posting. That being said - a lot has happened. Here's the update.

We have building permits for the house. Trees have been cleared by a certified Arborist (Goods Tree Care). The excavator is starting - and Superior Walls are scheduled for late next week. The SIPs are manufactured - and will be scheduled for late the following week (as the floor trusses should be early week of December 15th).

I've also contracted the services of Robert Yanover - certifier for the NAHB Green Program (out of York, PA). We met and reviewed the tentative green building checklist. Looks like there's a very good possibility that we may have the Gold Certification when all is said and done. Mr. Yanover met me at my office - after which we did a site visit. His next contact with me will be after mechanical rough-ins. I believe I'll need to have the Green Building Checklist finalized by that point.

So, ground is moving! I'll try to be a little more regular with posts now that things are moving.

On-Site Meeting with Tree Company

Today we met with the folks from Goods Tree Care on the lot itself. This is one tricky (and tree-filled) lot! It was a first-look for many at the lot. We decided it was best to have the engineer stake the centerline of the driveway - and the approximate location of the house. This way, we can determine the extent of tree removal.

We also have a tentative scheduled date for the Superior Walls - October 29th - though I'm not sure we'll be ready for them yet.... We're still waiting on the building permits. In the meantime, we want to get the lot ready for the house.

Also, Murus gave me an estimated 7 weeks lead time for the SIPs. Hopefully, we can move that timeline up....

In for Permits!!

Final design changes were firmed up and we applied for permits yesterday! Not sure about the turn-around time with this Township - as I've not done work here in a number of years.

In the meantime, I also emailed the plans to the folks at both Superior Walls AND Murus Wall Panels - to order the foundation walls and SIPs.

There are still a number of trees to be addressed on the lot. I've contacted Goods Tree Care and scheduled a meeting with the owners and our Superintendent for next Thursday. Bob Good is an ISA Certified Arborist.

For anyone who is following along in their NAHB Green Building Guidelines, I'm currently working in Section 1 (Lot Design, Preparation & Development). Specificially, the following points have been considered:

• 1.1.2 Choose an infill site (9 points)
• 1.2.1 Establish a knowledgeable team (6 points)
• 1.3.1 Conserve natural resources (6 points) - not sure if we qualify for all of this (nor if it can be broken down into parts of the points) but we are providing some "basic training in tree and other natural resource protection to onsite Supervisor."
• 1.3.3 Minimize slope disturbance (5 points) - this proves to be a challenge - as the lot immediately rises off of the road.
• 1.3.4 Minimize soil disturbance and erosion (6 points) - we'll be discussing all of these components at our meeting next week.
• 1.4.1 Provide onsite supervision and coordination during clearing, etc. (5 points) - need to see what, if any, documentation is required for the "Protection and Maintenance Plan."

If my addition is correct, this would give us 37 points for Section 1. This is well over the "Gold" level - with extra points to spare (to be used towards the extra points required for this certification).

In future posts, I'll review the final plan - and how it meets requirements of Sections 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The NAHB website now has several verifiers for the local area. I'm going to contact the 3 closest for bids on verifying this house - and will let you know of the estimates I'm receiving right now.