Stairs update

With the raw material prepped and sent back to the shop, it seemed like a good time to visit and check on the progress.  The open tread stairs were almost ready for delivery and assembly of the final pieces were underway.  The basement stairs were also nearing completion and have a very unique look to them.  More pics will be posted once the stairs are delivered and installed next week, and again when the landings are prepped and the staining is complete.  Eventually we plan to have a unique metal railing installed.

the first flight of open rise tread stairs

the sides of each tread are intended to be exposed

Basement flight, landings will also be built using this material (4 landings total)

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

With the roof on we are able to install the HVAC system.  In Calgary it is key to have a very efficient furnace and ventilation system.  On this install we are using an upgraded furnace that features a variable speed fan and dual stage burner. Basically this allows the furnace to run at less than maximum speed and gas combustion, thus it is quieter and more efficient.  The furnace needs to operate through a huge range of outdoor temperature while keeping interior temperature within a small comfort zone, so it makes a lot of sense to have the variable speed unit installed.  We also can scavenge the stale air we have paid to heat by using an energy recovery system where the stale air has its heat partially transferred to the incoming cold exterior air.  This also prevents uncontrolled cold air from entering into the mechanical room and possibly causing a draft.  The installation team was extremely proficient and had most of the two heating systems installed over a two day period.  It is fortunate there are many good tradesmen in Calgary. This crew from WJ Mechanical had a combination of over 45 years of sheet metal bashing experience, and it showed!

material is delivered friday afternoon

furnace is packaged and ready to go

Heat runs through the very few interior walls on the main floor

Having the tin bashers cooperate with the plumbing (already installed) can be a problem on a custom house as the routes are not always pre-determined collaboratively.  In this instance, it work out fine

Dropped ceiling here must be rebuilt and the plumbing vent is cut out

Furnace is hooked up and ready for gas.  Energy recovery unit is high on the right side

Windows

For the window installation, we are using a metal clad vinyl frame with a typical dual pane low e window.  These are quite effective in keeping the cold out and also some of the hot western sun out that will be bearing down on the front of the building.  Here is a photo of the window installation.

Fireplace preparation

We will be installing two fireplaces per home,  one in the living room and a second in the master bath.  The basement should not need a fireplace given that we are installing in-floor heating in the slab.  The  bathroom fireplace vents through the roof and the install crew will do that job, but the living room fireplace will vent through the wall, so insulation, poly and drywall are needed to be installed behind the unit.  Here is a picture of the rough framing for the fireplace.  We have some creative ideas of how to deal with the finishes of the living room fireplace that we are going to discuss later.

Ready for the fireplace installation

Roofing and skylights

With the rainy season fast approaching (and the multiple snowfalls and rain of late winter behind us) we were able to get the building shingled.  With the skylights on as well the building is significantly protected during rain and we can focus on the interior now up until we can apply for the pre-board inspection.  It is always a huge relief to get a house shingled in Calgary and of course it aids in keeping the birds out!

With shingles on and the 'whirly bird' installed we will ensure good roof cavity ventilation

The skylights are carefully flashed to ensure a watertight seal

Interior stairs

For the right side house, we decided to pursue a less conventional stair installation using an open tread concept but with a solid industrial style timber finish.  To do this we will use a parallam beam (3.5 inch width treads), with notched stringers placed at the 1/3 and 2/3 increment of the tread.  These will be heavily prepped by sanding the boards, and eventually stained and clear coated. Here are some initial images of the significant preparation underway to make these stairs a reality.

A hardwood floor sander is needed to remove a significant layer of material

All four sides of each board must be sanded

Raven wants to help with the cleanup

Safely loaded and the boards are on their way back to the shop for assembly

Framing Completion

The trusses have been installed and roof sheeted.  This allows us to begin planning the next phases of the construction, such as venting plumbing through the roof, shingles, skylights, windows, and HVAC.  Here are some photos of the  roof installation

truss installation underway

sheeting of roof is complete