Construction

-Design-
Our home was designed and built in the beautiful Mohawk Valley as a passive solar, grid independent residence for Sarah Johnston and Dave Smalley in 2002. We hired an architect (and friend), Keith Cramer, to interpret our ideas about solar and conscious living. We then had him meet with us and the builders in February of '02 to agree on purpose and method. This saved a lot of subsequent aggravation.

-Foundation and Insulation-
Construction began in May of 02 with site preparation, drainage, and pouring of frost walls and an insulated slab. We used recycled, 2'x4' extruded polystyrene sheets, 4" thick with a 1" concrete face under the slab. This material is available in our area through Roger The Foam Guy and has proved critical to the thermal functioning of the house. The panels were placed on a gravel bed and attached to the vertical sides of the frost walls, making for an uninterrupted insulative barrier.

-Framing-
The house is framed with standard dimensional 2"X6" lumber and the stud bays filled with pressure/glue applied cellulose (recycled newsprint). Polyisocyanurate board (1") was applied to the inside stud faces to prevent bleed through. Ceiling framing was 2" X 10" dimensional lumber filled with cellulose and a 2" layer of polyisocyanureate on the inside surface. Joints between the poly were not taped. We hoped to achieve an effective insulative value of R30 but did not actually compute it nor has the house been blower door tested.

-Windows-
Windows are all Andersen 400 series low E, argon filled casements. Most are on the south side with east and west windows providing summer ventilation. The bedroom has a large east facing window to welcome the sun every morning. A row of small, fixed windows across the top of the house provides day lighting so we never have to use electric lights in the daytime. There are interior windows in the bathroom and utility room to carry the day lighting theme to those rooms. Roofing is site constructed standing seam metal that we expect to last our entire tenure here. Doors are insulated metal with window lights.