Finalizing Floor and Window Plans

Over the past week, we've had two design meetings with Peter and Henry to finalize the floor and bathroom plans and then window schedule. We've got the floor plans more or less nailed out at this point, with a few final changes being made in the master suite. Stay tuned for more details on the new layout. Meanwhile, Henry is getting started with framing the interior walls for the downstairs rooms. Next week, we'll have another design meeting for the kitchen. 

We're also preparing for the hurricane...putting plywood over one of the windows that got broken during deconstruction, and Billy, our mason, is at the house today securing the foundation. He is finishing the brick work and replacing several of the basement windows.

We hope everyone is well-prepared for the storm! And thanks to whichever neighbor pulled up the silt sock that we placed around the drain.

Stairs, Layout....

Henry is nearly finished building the new staircase in its new location (along the north wall of the original home instead of at the center of the original home)... and it looks amazing! Yesterday, we met with Henry and Peter to refine the layout plan... including where we will locate walls, closets, etc. We also talked about changes that will be made to the location and size of windows and doors...In addition, all the windows and doors in the house need headers (they are currently not framed to code), so this will need to happen pretty soon.


This week, we're hoping to finalize the location of the interior walls and at least some of the closets so that Henry can frame these walls next week. We are also going to spec out all window and door sizes so that the rough openings can be framed next week.

Waste Management (Initial Pics)

These are pictures of the waste management measures we set up at the site after deconstruction was completed (this area was used to store salvaged materials during deconstruction). In the construction phase, we are going for LEED points associated with minimal waste production (allowing a maximum of 2.5 lbs of landfill-bound waste per square foot of interior space). To help mee this credit, we established these recycling areas for clean wood and metal. We also set up areas for cardboard and recyclable plastic containers. Since these original pictures were taken, we've made some small changes in order to expand the clean wood recycling pile, and to improve the signage... more pics on that later...

Erosion Control Measures (Pictures)

One requirement for LEED for Homes Certification is that all projects implement erosion controls during construction. This is required because construction can result in considerable runoff, leading to soil erosion and alteration of natural drainage patterns. Soil can be lost from the site in this way, and this runoff carries pollutants and debris to water bodies (in our case, the Connecticut River). To prevent these environmental impacts, all LEED for Homes projects are required to take measures to limit soil erosion at the building site.


In consultation with Josy, our LEED Rater at the Center for EcoTechnology, we determined that silt socks should be used to minimize sediment runoff from the site and protect the storm drain on the street at at the base of the site. Silt socks are made of a filter fabric sock that is filled with wood chips or compost (we used cedar wood chips). Silt socks allow water to flow through them at a controlled rate while trapping sediment. The sock is in contact with the ground, preventing water from flowing underneath.


Installation of Silt Sock Around Storm Drain at Base of Site

Silt Sock After Several Days (Note Trapped Sediments)

We also installed a silt sock across the driveway to prevent sediments in stormwater runoff from the dumpster area from running down the driveway and leaving the site (View From House):

View of Both Silt Socks from Street 

Close-Up of Driveway Silt Sock (View from Street)

Unfortunately the driveway silt sock shown here was run over by the dumpster driver when our last dumspter was changed out. This broke the silt sock and it needed to be repaired. The new silt sock runs across only the paved portion of the driveway, and a shorter silt sock now runs across the paved walkway to the right.

Salvaged Materials from Deconstruction (Pictures)

Here are some pictures of the salvaged materials from the deconstruction. As we previoulsy mentioned, some of of the salvaged materials were taken by EcoBuilding Bargains (formerly the ReStore), but many of these items found a new home through Craigslist.



Doors and Mirror

Doors and Miscellaneous Lumber



Face Plates

Oil Furnace



Fixtures (in Foreground):

Ceiling Fan, Light Globes, Etc.

Storm Windows

Direct Vent Gas Heaters (2 Total, One Shown)

Not Pictured: Grab Bars (2), Natural Gas Water Heater (moved to our house to replace leaking heater!). Also, we have salvaged a few items for possible reuse on site, including bricks, original slate roof tiles, and large foundation stones. 

Why LEED?

Why build a "green" home? Green homes are thoughtfully designed and constructed to minimize environmental impacts and to promote good health for their occupants. 


The residential sector accounts for 22% of all energy consumed in the U.S., 7% of all water use, and 21% of carbon dioxide emissions (USDOE). Green homes help reduce energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emisssions.


Compared to other homes, energy efficient features in green homes may include better insulation as well as more efficient windows, lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems, and appliances (e.g. refrigerators, dishwashers, clotheswashers). Some green homes use passive solar design to minimize energy use (and some even feature solar panels or other technologies that produce renewable energy on site).


In addition to environmental benefits, investments in energy efficiency translate to lower utility bills for the home's occupants. The same is true for water-saving measures (e.g. low-flow faucets, low flush toiets and low-maintenance landscaping) which help minimize the occupant's water bills.


Many green homes use as many earth and human friendly products as possible. These products may be non-toxic or less toxic than conventional materials. Green construction materials may also be manufactured locally or regionally (reducing environmental impacts associated with long-distance shipping), or may be made of recycled or rapidly renewable raw materials. Some green materials are certified based on reduced environmental impacts associated with their production; for example, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification ensures that wood products are produced using sustainable and ecologically responsible forestry practices.


Finally, green homes include adeqaute ventillation and features that improve indoor air quality.

Water efficient landscaping is another feature of many green homes, and green homes often use recycled and/or locally manufactured landscaping materials. The landscaping and roof of a green home may also be designed to reduce "urban heat island effects" that occur when dark colored pavements and roof surfaces that retain heat make developed areas hotter than less developed areas.

Even a home's location can help reduce the environmental impacts associated with living in a green home. For example, a home located within walking distance of goods and services makes it possible for a home's residents to drive less.

One advantage of a LEED Certified home is that "green" claims are verified by a third-party evaluation of the home based on comprehensive standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Decisions, Decisions...

After much deliberation, we finally made the decision to remove the chimney in order to allow for a more open layout. This work, along with the additional structural work in the original home, starts next week.

We also need to make a decision about the staircase. One option is to leave it where it is (rebuilding it in its current location but making it make it wider and longer to meet code). We've also been considering some layout ideas that would move the staircase to other locations. This could create a more open layout and provide more layout possibilities for the master bedroom upstairs, but on the other hand, making a new stair location work on the first floor is challenging. We have discussed a few different ideas and will be sketching them out to get a better sense of the pros and cons...

Demolition Complete

Last week, the demolition work was completed. The third and final (very full) demolition dumpster will be swapped out for the construction dumpster today. I think I may have previously mentioned this, but for LEED Certification, we need to quantify demolition waste seperately from construction waste. This is why we need to use different dumpsters for the demolition phase than the construction phase. We are also going for some LEED points for minimal waste production. I created signs and storage areas for recyclable materials on site - cardboard, paper, containers, clean wood and metal. These materials will be diverted from the rest of the construction waste stream.


Meanwhile, the structural work continues. Two beams have been replaced in the basement, a new footing was poured in one location, and all basement columns were reinforced. One beam has been replaced on the first floor (so far). This week, new footings will be installed under the porch. The columns will be set aside for deleading and reinstalled later.