House renovation - ongoing - Page 13 - DIY Chatroom

GBR in WA · 11-05-2009, 03:13 PM

"Exterior sheathing is 3/4", then there was a layer of cedar shingles, then 1/4" insulation & vinyl siding
On the inside I have 3/4" thick walls - "cement board" then plaster over it
But I've been removing the shingles/insulation & vinyl siding" ---- it's all the layers that help keep you warm. Granted, not as much R-value as fiberglass insulation, but even the surface air insulates: http://www.coloradoenergy.org/procor...f/r-values.htm

It's funny how the pink panther gives out the numbers, yet you lose a lot through the total wall assembly: http://www.rvaluehomes.com/rvalue.htm

When does the cost of the insulation warrant the R-value? http://www.enersavesystems.com/pdf/E...Insulation.pdf

Dave, you know about this one, for anyone else reading: http://www.homeenergy.org/archive/he...99/991110.html

Be safe, Gary

**Scuba_Dave** · 11-05-2009, 04:36 PM

Yes, I knew you lose thru the studs
I did consider the dual wall advanced framing that would eliminate the thermal short circuit from the studs
But due to the amount of work, not sure how the inspector would like it & the fact I have never done it or seen it I decided not to
I go with 2x6 walls for more insulation
I did consider 2x8 or even 2x10 walls...but decided to stick with 2x6
I think I might add a thin layer of insulation on the North & West sides before I side those
Undecided at present......need to decide before Spring

I'm curious as to how much even a 1/4" (R1) or 1/2" (R3) would help?
The other issue is the West side will be wood shingles
Not sure how that will work with rigid insulation

Sheila4467 · 11-05-2009, 10:03 PM

Well, I've been reading, and looking at your photos for hours, and hours, and I must say, that if I had 1/10th your energy, my house would already be built!!!

You have done an outstanding job, and everything you have done looks just beautiful.

I got a lot of outstanding information from your posts. I had a few Anderson windows in my old home, which I loved, and wondered if I should go with them again, since I liked them so much. Anderson's today are simply gorgeous, and even better then they were in the mid 70's. I now know that Anderson's are the windows for me.

Watching all of the work you have done so far, made me decide about getting more help than I originally intended too. We are a lot older now, and even though I can still swing a "mean hammer" and dig a "Mean trench" I can see that I am not at all up to all of the tasks at hand.

My home will only be 40 x 40 with, 1 bedroom downstairs, and an Attic that's 2 bedroom, one bath, unfinished. (mostly for storage)
(we're retired)

I waited 10 years for the porperty next to us to become available, and I just went to settlement the other day!!!!!! HOOO RAAAA!!!

You have so inspired me, that I will be hitting the stores to pack my waiting garage with materials, that is, when I get the lock fixed!!! lol

Good thing it's a 12x32 huh?

Any suggestions on my foundation? I can get it put in anytime now, or wait until spring. Should I wait? It's one thing I know nothing about.

Looks like I head back to the County Planning Dept tomorrow!

PS your son is just the cutest. Congratulations!

GBR in WA · 11-05-2009, 11:16 PM

"I'm curious as to how much even a 1/4" (R1) or 1/2" (R3) would help?
The other issue is the West side will be wood shingles
Not sure how that will work with rigid insulation" ---------------- the 1/4" is always behind vinyl siding because the siding doesn't stop water vapor much. Look at the permeability of vinyl in the list compared to other sidings: http://www.panhandleinsulation.com/b...materials.html

For the perfect application on the wet side of a house with wood shingles: http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/pdf/RainScreen.pdf Also covers light box boards and windows.
Be safe, Gary

**Scuba_Dave** · 11-05-2009, 11:32 PM

That's a good link for clapboards....but I'm doing wood shingles - left natural
The front & back will be Hardi board, back mostly done now

I tell you, I'd build a house a lot different then any other house if I had the opportunity to do it from the ground up with enough $$

dswartzinator · 11-10-2009, 09:08 PM

good gosh! do you ever get any sleep Dave? - the projects look awesome!

**Scuba_Dave** · 11-10-2009, 09:38 PM

Thanks
I do get enough rest now & then
I switched to some fall landscape cleanup
Buncha pricker bushes needed to be cleaned out
With all the construction some areas went wild....so I'm working on reclaiming them
We have a stream so things grow like crazy
I'm expanding a garden that I put in as a test near the stream
It will be about 7' wide & 45' long
I let the pumpkins/cukes & watermelons (hopefully) grow out onto the 2nd driveway area & then sometimes the yard (closer to Oct)

Sheila4467 · 11-11-2009, 12:19 AM

Would you consider posting photos of the garden and yard fixes too?

Nice to know what "fill in" things you do when having to wait for good weather. That sounds like a great size for the area near the stream, and I bet your seeds will produce giants in that area!

This gave me the idea to get my seed book out, and decide what goes in next spring. Nice "fill in" when I so want to work on my garage, but have to wait for "hubby" to get over his surgery.

By the way, your tulips are beautiful.

My seed book, for non-hybrid seeds

**Scuba_Dave** · 11-11-2009, 09:38 AM

I don't take too many pics of "before" on the gardens
Extending the garden near the stream was planned...but I just did it the other day & didn't take any pics

This is the front corner B4 a redo in '05, no pic of the mess B4
The area behind the chain link is the area I just cleaned out
I need to replace the front wood fence, might replace the side chainlink too

The area after I planted some trees & flowers

The area today after another cleanup & putting in some PT timbers
More PT timbers will be put in to extend the area about 45' down the side
I also planted some more Birch trees along the stream

**Scuba_Dave** · 11-11-2009, 10:09 AM

It's the wrong time of the year to take updated pics of the gardens, everything is gone for the winter
I just cleaned out the front gardens & took the dead stuff out to the mulch pile
I cleanout the front & cut down the dead flowers so people can see my Christmas display
The rest I leave until Spring as the dead stuff helps protect everything from the cold
I'll have to take pics in the Spring

I also need to pint that railing that blocks the stream
It's the Town's, but I doubt they will paint it

Sheila4467 · 11-11-2009, 12:55 PM

Birch trees will look fantastic, and that's a big clean up for sure.
With a job like the one your doing, (your home) I most likely wouldn't do garden photos either, but it's nice to see what your planning. It looks like what you have planned will have a nice impact on what it looks like later on though.
I always feel better when I get some of the junk out of a space that needs cleaning up, especially when it's winter and you can't do much.

I enjoy seeing ALL the "side jobs" too, and with the pool area doing so well, the new bar, all the bulbs you planted, and all of the other work you have done, it's going to make a fantastic backdrop for that beautiful home your building. Thank you for sharing the photos, it makes a huge difference.

p.s. Love the color of the bathhouse, and the smart repair on the door! looks great.

GBR in WA · 11-11-2009, 04:14 PM

Be careful the Town's Erosion Control doesn't get you for removing their vegetation that filters and slows the runoff water before it goes in the stream. They can get funny when you make improvements to the natural stream bank, installing a terrace with milled lumber ties. I hope they are not treated to leach and contaminate......

Here is a site for your wood shingles with rain screen, pick one: http://www.coastalcontractor.net/article/135.html
Be safe, Gary

**Scuba_Dave** · 11-11-2009, 05:25 PM

The problem is the weeds that grew choked out the grass
So now there isn't anything that prevents run-off
What grows dies & only bare dirt is left from Fall until late Spring
My fault for not paying more attention & keeping it mown when we 1st moved in
The entire banking is grass on both sides before it gets to my house
It used to be grass on both sides down until it ran into the woods
The neighbor on the other side does very little landscaping & let his side go wild ages ago
The deer used to walk up my side when we 1st moved in
They would eat the tops off the black-eyed susans
But since I didn't maintain it they stopped coming thru
Then the problem is they are running across the road from my neighbors overgrown area

I was cleaning up one year & happened to look up
There were 6 deer across the stream from me...some looking at me
I froze...and slowly crouched down to somewhat dissappear from view
Well, that was a bad idea (I'm told), they now viewed me as a predator
Some of them started pawing the ground & making noises I've never heard before
Looked behind me for a retreat path......

Luckily they did not "attack" & moved back deeper into the woods
In the past (and from now on) I have just frozen in place & watched them
I've never had a camera when I see them
They used to come thru the backyard until we enclosed the area behind the pool as part of the pool - fenced in
Hasn't stopped the skunk yet.....or the raccoons

GBR in WA · 11-11-2009, 06:04 PM

Yes, wild animals are dangerous, if you ever saw the buck deer attack the man video a few years back.......

I'd leave the stream banks to the Town, weeds and all. They are responsible for it, using your tax money, not your effort too.

Around here, the State Fish and Game Department or Environmental Control would read this and fine you big. Especially installing creosoted timbers on their property that is fenced. Years ago, my dad saw (with binoculars) a deer swimming down the lake (1 mile), not the 1/4 mile across. Herded her across the lake with his rowboat in the middle of winter, she exited very tired but alive. He figured coyotes chased her into the water. I need spell check! Spelled coyotes wrong, first suggestion was "cooties" Got a chuckle there...
Be safe, Gary

**Scuba_Dave** · 11-11-2009, 06:11 PM

Here it's pretty much up to the homeowner
The guy across the street brought in a backhoe to fix the area next to the stream
The town won't even come out to paint the guardrail
And we are usually the ones to clean out the storm sewers & keep them clear
They are out once a year...that's it