Western Red Cedar siding

More soffit, glass, fascia

Soffit, Glass, Fascia

Window Frames Installed

Window frames installed and fascia started

After a fun detour through Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, MO, I finally made it to the farm last week.  The main work to be completed was getting the storefront window frames installed which took two days and went in with very little problems.

We also met with the HVAC contractor to review the energy needs and I've been busy calculating the energy loads for the house;  Something I have surprisingly enjoyed.  With all the glass on the house, we obviously are concerned with the overall performance, particularly with overheating in the summer.  I monitored the sun path over the course of the day and the extensive overhangs performed as designed with only direct sun coming through during approximately 3 hours in the late afternoon.  This will only lessen in the height of summer as the sun is higher in the sky.  To block this low sun we will be utilizing a series of shades, insulated curtains, reflective coatings, all which are still under review.  Another observation that I had not appreciated is the extensive shade that is provided along the southern exposure of the house by some mature, deciduous trees.  During the winter months, the sun will be low enough in the sky (and the leaves on the tree will be off) to allow deep penetration into the house and hopefully offering some passive solar heating opportunities.

We also decided on the standing seam metal roof which should go in the next couple of weeks.  All in all it was a very productive trip.  Next visit all the glass, sliders, and roof should be installed.  Hopefully we will be weather-tight by Memorial Day :).

Samuel Clemens' (aka Mark Twain) boyhood home. Always a sucker for history stops

Measuring for the standing seam metal roof.  Don't show this to OSHA

View from Kitchen out over pasture

View from Master Bathroom

Lower view with folded profile taking more shape

View from lane

Window frames delivered

So the window frames have finally been delivered and they should begin installing the beginning of next week.  Framing the rough openings took a bit longer than expected as the construction tolerances needed to be spot on (within 1/4") to make sure the continuous transom was dead level to fit the doors and windows.  The glazing system we selected is a thermally broken, aluminum storefront system with front set glass.  It will have a 1" IGU (insulated glazing unit) with a "low-e" coating to help with thermal performance.  The frames will be installed first with the IGU's to be ordered after field placement and any adjustments.

High performance low-emissive coating

Window frames

More progress

So the folded profile of the house is really starting to come together.  D&J have finished the framing for the front deck and are busy preparing all the openings for the windows to be installed hopefully by the end of the month.  They have also set all the 4x12 floor beams so you are beginning to get some feel for the spaces.  We also met with the metal roofing rep and should hopefully have some progress on that front for the next post.

Lower bedroom with Barn-form concrete walls and 4x12 Cedar Beams

Knife plate connections of 4x12 cedar beams over top of steel w shape

Afternoon view over pasture from entrance

Enjoying a cold one on the deck while surveying the land

Cherry Tree

So we chopped down a large cherry tree on site with hopes of using the wood for a mantle and/or furniture and unfortunately it was hollow.  So there goes the long mantle.  We may still be able to use the wood for some smaller "disc" tables with a live edge.   Otherwise we're going to have some really nice firewood.