Framing complete!

The final touches for the framing are being completed today!
The next steps will be for the plumbing and HVAC rough-ins.

Later this week the electrical rough in will start as well.
In addition, the roof membrane should be installed early this week.
This will be very welcome as lately we have had lots, and lots of rain.  Our house basically has a moat of mud and muddy water around it.

In the photo above, you may have noticed the awning that extends out from the edge of the house a bit.  This is there to provide shade to the windows when the sun is high in the sky in the summer, yet not block the sunlight during the winter when the sun is lower in the sky.


With our concrete and tile floor, we will absorb that warmth, freely provided by the sun, into the thermal mass of the floors.  
This helps the house not heat up as much during the day, and the concrete/tile will release that heat overnight when it is cooler.


Effectively, with careful placement of windows and awnings, we lessen the need for mechanical heating and cooling.  Lowering the energy the house uses to stay comfortable and making it easier for us to produce as much energy as we use over a year. 
Of course, you can also do this without any solar panels or such, simply to lower your heating and cooling bills.


Next week's blog should have lots of activity, as long as the rain holds off long enough to get the waterproof roof membrane installed!