Panel Unloading - Tuesday, October 17, 2000

Unloading the panel trucks on Tuesday and Wednesday proved to be an event in itself. The mud and inexperienced panel truck drivers provided us with a variety of challenges.

Panel Installation
- October 19 - 21, 2001 (walls)
- November 30 - December 2, 2000 (roof)

The panel installation moved along nicely until it was time to install the roof. The subcontractor that we had lined up to install the roof decided to never show up (even though Brian and the crane did!) and then we had to start the subcontractor search all over again. When the final roof panel was set, the snow had already started - and didn't stop until January!

The Roof - Foam and Felt Paper - January 2001

With a structural panel installation, you must "foam" the gap where the panels meet each other, then cover that seam with asphalt. Once that occurs, the felt paper can be installed on the roof. We hadn't planned to install the felt paper, but the weather improved before this subcontractor could get there to do it. So, we backed off our decision not to get on our 8-12 pitch roof and hopped on up there and got it done!

The Roof - Shingles

We have selected our subcontractor to complete the installation, which will occur as soon as the weather gets a bit warmer. Yeah!
We have selected the Owens Corning Architectural Shingles in the Driftwood color.

COMING IN MAY!

Windows - Cutting and Installation

The weekend of February 24-25, we began cutting the window openings into the panels and installed the windows the weekend of March 9-11. (PICTURES COMING SOON.) Our windows are primarily Anderson casements; we also have arch accent windows by Jarrett. We plan to accent all windows with "prairie" style grilles. The picture shown closely resembles our window choice.

COMPLETED IN MARCH

Mudroom & Garage

As soon as the temps get above freezing, we'll be bringing back our excavator to prep the land for the mudroom and garage areas. These will be located on the right side as you are looking at the front of the house.

Siding & Trim

Once it is time for the siding and trim, we will be using the James Hardie Hardiplank Cedarmill lap fiber cement siding. We are still deciding on what color to paint the siding - our thoughts are ranging from an orangish-brown to create a "stained wood" appearance, to forest green!

COMING IN JUNE/JULY!

Porch, Deck, Fireplace

There will be a porch on the front of the house (the main entrance), a deck on the back off of the kitchen, and our fireplace will be built up the center front of the great room. We have been hand-selecting (not as glamourous as it sounds...) field stone at various locations in Indiana County, PA for the fireplace.

FIREPLACE IN PROGRESS!

Porch & Deck coming in June!

Landscaping

We have ideas, but this area will definitely be a work-in-progress through 2001 (and beyond).

Miscellaneous

Well drilling completed in January, "real" electricity turned on in early February, backfilling (with gravel) occurred February 20 & 22...