Posts Tagged ‘energy efficiency’

We have another fun rehabilitation that we have begun.  This mid sized cottage was in need a serious make over.  With a full gut, we were able to get to the bones of the structure, and correct the failed framing issues.  We also were able to stabilize the deteriorating brick foundation and install vapor barriers in the cellar and crawl space areas.  Of course, then after framing, and exterior stabilization, this becomes similar to any new construction and the trades come in a do their work.  All new plumbing, electrical, and HVAC have been installed.  We are currently in the energy star auditing/inspection process, and look to move forward with insulation early next week.  Here are a few pictures of the progress over the past month.

It has been a while since the last update, and now we have hung and are currently finishing drywall.  The home passed municipal and energy auditing inspections with ease.  Sprayed cellulose insulation, coupled with the 2′ of Blue board foam sheathing, give the wall systems for this home a superior R-value of 23 rather than the typical 13 in a 2×4 wall assembly.  The exterior siding is complete and is being painted as the rain will allow this week.  The flag stone will be installed around the base of the home (everywhere you see the foam board in the current exterior photos) in a week.

This home has an Arts and Crafts style to its finishes, so there will be a lot of custom trims and stain work to come.

We have had a lot of consistent activity since the rain has given us a break this week.  We have begun the very complicated hip and ridge roof  construction.  With this home being more of a ranch style there is a lot more roof than we typically are used to in smaller downtown lots and homes.  The home itself isn’t overly large at 2500 square feet, but has a massive footprint and roof system.  Here are a couple of process pictures since the last post.

It has been a while since we have completed a full rehab. The green and energy efficiency movements seem to have directed home buyers to new homes, and that has been the main percentage of projects we have completed in the last few years. However, with relatively new and attractive bank packages, such as 203K’s, home buyers are enabled to purchase homes in need of work and acquire loans that are worth the proposed end result, rather than existing condition. This has helped the rehab market enjoy a small resurgence, and we are happy to be back in the familiar and historic neighborhood that is The Old North Side. A common misnomer, that may also have played part in the rehabs decline from popularity, is that you will still have an “old” home, after construction is complete. While aspects of that are true, what is left, is simply done so for historic requirements and charm. The home, when complete, from top to bottom will be as energy efficient as any our our new constructions.

Please check in on the progress of this home, as I plan to post updates during the mechanical installations, show you what we accomplished in the cellar, of course during the insulation process, and throughout the rest of construction. We go out of our way to ensure that when complete, our projects (whether new or rehabs) will meet high Green building standards, and be as efficient with energy consumption as possible! Here are couple of pictures that I took on a very dark and cold day. The quality is not outstanding, but they are of some of my most enjoyable parts of the framing process….Leveling the floors. You should have walked through this place before we started. Lets just say the some of the nastiest greens on Augusta couldn’t hold a candle to these floors! Just kidding, but you get the picture.

The blue tarp is where we removed the old brick chimney. This will be put back exactly the way it was, on the exterior only, to replicate the historic original.

A beam installed to keep the floor in its new (now level) loacation.

Once the floor below was leveled, the carpenters move to leveling and jacking the floor above