traditional new home project

[cousinbirgco]

During the summer, the basement/garage area was left open. Several pairs of robins decided the metal truss plates made an ideal anchor for their nests.
Who says this house isn't green.

I would like to switch gears to some of the energy saving features of this project.
Please remember, this is just one approach to the goal of making housing more energy efficient, but most of what you see here can be
adapted to renovation or new construction design.

[cousinbirgco]

The concept behind this project was to design and build a traditional but
extreme energy efficient home virtually indistinguishable from standard
new home or renovation type construction. Or simply put, the house would not display most of the easily recognizable, outward signs of energy production and/or conservation.
The following features are an integral part of the overall design and should
result in major energy savings over the life of the home.

I will try to post as many picts as possible without
generating interest from the spam filter.

The steep roof terminates in an upper flat roof (not visible from street level)
This 700 sq. ft. area is covered with a 60 mil PVC membrane type roofing material which can stand up to just about any kind of equipment installation or necessary maintenance foot traffic.
The solar hot water heater and pv panels installed here will have
many options for solar orientation.

[cousinbirgco]

A staggered interior 2 x 4 stud wall is built with a 2 inch space in front of the 2 x 6 exterior wall. The 11 inch wall cavity will then be filled with celluose insulation to complete an R-38 or greater exterior envelope. Attic ceilings will be R-50+ in most locations. The top and bottom plates are sealed with inexpensive caulk to prevent air infiltration from wood/framing shrinkage.
(Note the plywood spacer blocks which makes even 2 inch spacing of the
interior 2x4 wall foolproof.)

About 250 studs/plates were used in the construction of the inner 2 x 4 wall and about 2-3 days of extra labor/time.

[cousineddie]

The main floor consists of 2400 sq. ft. of finished space. The roof is framed off the top of the first floor so a couple of bedrooms can be finished within this roof/rafter area. An unfinished attic space is also
available for future expansion. A ladder type staircase goes up to the
upper flat roof area for easy maintenance access for the solar heating equipment.

[cousinbirgco]

The stone on the house and grounds is a split creek boulder trucked in from P.A. a few hours away.
It's a bit more difficult to work with than angular stone but the results seem to be worth it.

[cousinbirgco]

This picture illustrates the impact that trim and/or siding
color can have on complementing natural exterior materials.
19th century architects like Downing and Vaux highly
recommended using earth tone colors, (sand, earth, stone) to
create a more harmonious connection with nature.
It's a nice change after looking at tyvek for almost a year.

[cousinbirgco]

1 x 8 centermatched, T & G cypress siding was used because
it is durable and water resistant and this style of siding lends
itself to a 19th century look of rustication (but without the sand finish).
Cypress is a stable siding material which readily accepts solid
acylic latex stain (all boards were backprimed). The tongue
and groove allows for the boards to be blind nailed (or stapled)
with no exposed nail heads to compromise the surface finish
(except for the bottom of the first course).
The t & g is also more air and water tight than clapboard siding
and adds an additional structural element of rigidity to the exterior walls.

[csintexas]

Very nice detail work

[cousinbirgco]

thanks chris, and I forgot to mention that earlier in the year
you inspired me to take pictures of the project and hopefully
inform others of the potential and possibilities of residential
energy conservation via new or renovation type work.
Eventhough a good deal of squabbling happens on a forum
like this, I think the net result is extremely positive when ideas
and methods of designing or building something are exchanged
and thrashed about.
and btw, cousineddie has learned a lot too although he would never admit it.

[cousinbirgco]

Reusing building materials in new and existing construction
projects is a great way to add authenticity and
reduce landfill waste. This side garage entry door opening
will be finished with a recycled 32 x 96" brownstone door.
Recycled glass (circa 1920) will also be installed into the
carriage/barn (garage) doors. Celluose insulation
(recycled newspaper treated with borates) will be blown
into the exterior walls and attic spaces.

Could this be the only photo on file of the
mysterious and reclusive cousineddie?

[cousineddie]

Well shoot, cousin, you knowd tha taint me,
why you funnin with folks?
That aint even close, Im a tad taller, a hole lot younger,
and iffen I don't say so myself, I carries
quite the the reputation as a ladies man.

[cousinbirgco]

As usual, my cousin and I had a lively debate about the garage
doors or the baarn doors as eddie likes to call 'em. Roll up doors
just didn't seem to capture the spirit of this 19th century
carriagehouse design, but swing out doors ?
Special openers, hinges, glass and weatherstripping and more
time than we wanted to spend makin stuff, but we had lots of oak boards
from another job and once cousineddie gets his mind set on
somethin....... We'll post some picts once we get them
stained and hung.

[cousinbirgco]

Ok, we're going to post some picts (maybe), here are one
of the carriage house doors and some details before hanging.
I hate to admit that cousineddie was right about making
this style of door.

[csintexas]

That is pretty fancy woodworking there. Is this out of your own shop or a door maker?

[cousinbirgco]

Thanks Chris, the doors were made on site (in the family room).