Case Study: How two people (and legions of talented tradespeople) are building a new green home in British Columbia.

It was fortunate I was able to be on site today, after a two-day absence. It was a whirlwind of activity and decision-making.

Windows and nearly-completed roof

Most of the windows are installed now. Although they look good, I can’t help feeling they aren’t quite big enough. I expect that comes from getting used to the rough openings, which, in the end, are about 3” bigger all around than the glass of the windows.

Thermal mass fireplace kit installed

Russell, the stonemason and his assistant Randy had installed the fireplace kit earlier. Russell said the mortar to cement the pre-formed blocks together was very slippery to work with. The unit could not be placed as close to the side chimney as we were told it could be, so our slab measurements were almost too small.

The fireplace design requires that a piece of ¼” cardboard be placed between the unit and the facing stone, for expansion and contraction during firing. It’s a strange concept to have to have 2” between the masonry and any combustible material, yet here is this cardboard right inside the unit. I guess if it doesn’t get oxygen, it can’t burn. It’s also because of this 2” rule that we used steel posts to support the overhead beams. They will be covered with stone as an integral part of the masonry.

1/4" cardboard around unit

Once the flashing was installed, Russell nailed some ¾” plywood onto the floor around the perimeter of the unit. He will place the rock on it, and the plywood will be removed after the mortar has hardened. That way, the finishing material (fir flooring and slate or tile) can be slipped under the rock, rather than having to scribe the shape of the rock facing onto each strip of flooring or slate, and then fussy-cut the flooring material. Makes so much sense.

The first stone

In addition to Russell and Randy, the builders were here, and a huge plumbing crew blew in after lunch to start the rough-in plumbing. By the time the cabinetmaker arrived to measure for his quote, there was so much noise that I couldn’t make myself heard above the uproar of angle-grinders, drills, saws, and hammers. We would have to stop in the middle of our conversation until the cut had been made.

But then, crew-by-crew the crowd and the noise decreased, until I was blessedly alone, sweeping away the evidence of the recent frenetic activity.

I cherish those peaceful times, when I can tidy up without getting in anyone’s way, and no one requires my attention. I hear the silence of our neighbourhood, or the birdsong, or the pulse of the ferry traffic going by. I see where the sun comes in at this specific season or time of day. I feel the direction of the wind, a nearly constant companion here it seems.

I’m beginning to learn our home.

{ 2 comments }