Timber Springs Lodge: 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 :).