Author Archives: cstults

After completing the propane system, we continued working on utilities. Next up was power! Up until now, we were using a temporary meter which powered one temporary electric panel inside. Sam put a few outlets on it, from which we ran many extension cords. It’s been a year of constantly wrestling, untangling, and tripping overContinue reading “More Power to Us”

Propane, that is. The warm dry weather hung around into October, so we shifted our focus to utility work. Our goal is to complete the outdoor plumbing for propane, electricity, and water before the ground turns into a mud pit. We started with the propane. Initially we were going to buy a tank and buryContinue reading “Bring the Pane!”

We hired more contractors for the drywall. I’m so glad we did because I had no idea how involved drywall is. I thought it would be a 2 day job like the insulation, but it turned out to be a multi-week process. Since we are just finishing the 900 sq-ft apartment for now, I wasContinue reading “A Hot, Dry(wall) Fall”

We finally got our heat pump which is a key component for our heating and cooling systems. In the summer, the heat pump takes in warm air from the outside and uses the refrigeration cycle to condense the air into a cold liquid. Then the fan coils use the cold water to blast cool airContinue reading “Getting Pumped Up!”

That’s what we’ve been thinking a lot lately, so it was nice to have some hired help insulate the apartment for us. The county determines how much insulation you need. Insulation is measured by R-value, resistance to conductive heat flow. Higher R-values mean higher insulation properties. In our climate we need R22 for exterior walls.Continue reading “R We Done Yet?”

Our friend Mikko drove down from Seattle to visit us. We were at a turning point when he arrived- transitioning from the north side to the east and west sides. But first, we had to get around the tricky corners. Luckily Mikko likes projects and was happy to help! We started with the base flashing,Continue reading “Turning the Corner”

We began the great siding installation! In typical fashion, we started with the most difficult side of the building. The windows, doors, and numerous seams make it the most difficult. It is also the front of the building, so we wanted it to look the best.  Ideally we would start with an easier side toContinue reading “The North End”

Jackson visited us for the 4th of July weekend. It was great timing because our long awaited siding arrived that weekend! The siding shipped all the way from Sheet Metal Supply (SMS) in Illinois. We chose zinc as the material since it is very durable and low maintenance. It isn’t painted, and it’s patina eventually returnsContinue reading “An Exsiding Independence Day!”

We’ve been making preparations for the siding. We designed our building to be as pest-proof as possible. That includes keeping the attic off limits to birds, bats, and bugs. This was a challenge since our attic is fully ventilated. To allow for air flow, we left a gap along the entire long sides of theContinue reading “We Mesh Well With Others”

“Whatever goes up, comes down, they say. But whatever goes down doesn’t always go away.” – Winston Rothschild, The Red Green Show We installed a septic system! Hopefully it keeps everything away for good. The process began over a year ago when the county approved the location of our drain field. They inspected test holesContinue reading “A Not So Crappy Job”