Green Gables

I have been rereading the blog written last year by an architect who built a house near us. He researched a lot of building material in order to qualify for LEED status. One of the more interesting things he used was the Huber Zip System and I wanted to give it a try.   This is a relatively new wall and roof sheathing that is water impervious because it has a vapor barrier built in. That means the house doesn’t have to be wrapped in tarpaper or Tyvek before the shingles are put on. I also like it that the Zip System is rated by the FSC, Forest Stewardship Council and is therefore greener than conventional plywood.  Paul has never used the Zip System, but was willing to give it a try because of a $900 rebate for first-time users.

In their first week on site, the Lacey crew opened up the east wall and built out the new addition.  These walls and decking gave them the working surface needed to build the new gables.  Floor joists and carrying beams were removed and replaced with super-strong engineered wood, while Paul and Chuck frequently stopped to review the engineering plans. 

Chris and I had to make a quick trip to N. J. for a memorial service. It was hard for us to tear ourselves away from the construction site. And sure enough when we returned we found the roof had been cut off in sections and was sitting in slices on the ground. Paul had his crew remove any useable lumber for repurposing and it is currently stored in a dry place under the house.

On Friday the excitement built as the crew framed the east gable. In just a couple of hours it was ready to be hoisted into place. Chris had the video camera running and I popped snapshots on the digital camera. Six men tried to raise it with muscle and brawn but it proved to be too heavy. So they called on the tremendous power of the hydraulic lifting arm of the CAT. With Paul at the controls, a heavy-duty construction strap looped through a hole in the peak of the wall, it was pulled with precision into place. I jumped up and down clapping madly and Chris whistled while a rapid-fire reverberation rang out as 3 nail guns simultaneously fastened the wall into place. We were stunned as we looked upon this white trimmed piece of new construction. After all those winter months of designing there it stood. We loved it. We loved it. WE LOVED IT. And as everyone stood around admiring its proportion and balance they said, “Now it really looks like a house.”  

As Chuck Lacey and his crew built the new decking and walls, Quatro began demolishing the interior of the old cottage. What a nasty job! Sheetrock walls smashed, gypsum dust filling the air as loose insulation tumbled to the floor stained with mouse pee. I shudder to think of all the mice running around while I have been sleeping. Hair, skin, clothing covered with this disgusting detritus mingled with sweat from the day’s heat and exertion, I couldn’t wait to go home for a shower. 

When the guys quit at 3:30 Chris and I climbed into the house protected by hats or shower cap, facemasks and gloves to sweep, shovel and bag this awful mess. Pieces of wall and lumber get placed in garbage cans and Chris hoists them into the dumpster. We are guessing that we will need another 2 before the job is done. Before we leave for the day I perform my favorite job, wheeling the magnetic sweeper around the grounds to pick up any loose nails.  Before we climb out of the house, we cover the old oak floors with tarps in case of an unexpected shower. Initially, we had planned to install new birch floors but when we heard that the existing floor probably was worth about $7,000 we have been doing everything we can to preserve it. Finally, Chris wraps his caution tape back and forth across the front door a couple of times and then strings it along the front of the yard. Another day done, tired and dirty but with smiles on our faces as we think about the view from our new bedroom window.