Insulation

This week the stucco lath was completed and the insulation was almost completed. Again, little things like this really seem to make a huge difference in the house's appearance. Where possible, we chose to use blown in cellulose insulation because it has a slightly better R value and because it seals the walls better. It has a fire retardant included in it so it should be relatively safe. It's appearance is mottled brown. This pic is in the garage showing the cellulose. The next one is also in the garage showing traditional fiberglass bats.





Here you can see that they used foam insulation in all the wiring and plumbing holes.



This shows the shop with cellulose on the walls and fiberglass sitting on the floor. That will go in the shop ceiling.



This one is of the ceiling and upper wall of the wine cellar. There should be room for over 100 cases when it is completed.



This is the kitchen ceiling.



This is the living room ceiling showing the insulation there and the required space between the insulation and the roof for air circulation to prevent condensation.



This is a close up of the same area.



I had a request for pics of the elevator shaft so here they are. First, looking down from the upper level, then the bottom from the lower level...even less exciting than usual.




That is it for this week.

A Little Progress

The progress this week was mostly in small things. The stucco guys continued applying their base coat of what appears to be tar paper and chicken wire, although it is more correctly known as "lath". They should finish this phase this week.






The framer was back again and built the hearth for Chad's fireplace. We also decided to change the shape of the pedestal for the tub in the master bath.





We have a couple of glass block windows and they were installed.



Joe put lockable doorknobs on the ground level to begin to make the house secure so he can store materials there. I am not certain, but I think that the State Fair which is going on in Albuquerque this week may have slowed things down somewhat.

Windows & Doors

Another week has gone by and we got the windows and doors installed. The stucco preparation is continuing as well. The stucco guy is putting scaffolding up all around the house.









The framer came back and completed his portion of the back deck. It will only be 10' by 10', just large enough for the grill and for Jake during decent weather.




Here is the scaffolding on the north side of the house. The electrician also has started to install the permanent electrical box on the house and the temporary one visible in the foreground will be removed.



That's all for this week.

Gypcrete

Yesterday the gypcrete was poured over the PEX tubing. Somehow it makes the house look much more complete or finished by not having the plywood floor visible.







They also started putting on the "tar" paper and chicken wire as a base for the stucco. Here is the front showing the tar paper.



And here is a close up of the chicken wire.



That concludes this week's excitement!

Radiant Heat

Sorry that I am late posting the weekly update, but we went to Madison, Wisconsin this week end. Shana, Chad and Abbie kept us pretty busy, but that is another story.

This week the PEX tubing for the radiant heat was installed, the west side of the house was backfilled and two piers were poured for the back deck. These pictures aren't nearly as nailing as those from the framing stage or as hair raising as during the electrical phase, but they do show progress nevertheless.








This is a closer view of Chad's fireplace. If you recall last week, I mentioned that I needed to remember to use the zoom lens once in a while.



Notice the two concrete piers on the right side of the picture. This deck will be small, 10 ft by 10 ft, since there isn't any view and we will primarily use it for Jake and for grilling out. Also, we may sit out here when the sun is too hot on the East side of the house.

P.S. I just discovered that if you click on a picture, it will be enlarged! This is just for the people like me that aren't up to date on all the latest technology!