tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70760020568066376022024-03-05T13:44:54.338-08:00Local FruitSustainability and local color in historic Folsom and Placerville, CAStephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-16565782317476325522014-12-06T21:47:00.000-08:002014-12-06T21:49:09.839-08:00Energy and a New Begining<!--[if !mso]>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">It has been a very long time since I updated </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0033cc;">Local Fruit!</span></i></b> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">- so long that I don’t even
know if the links are still connected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But here we go with a quick update that should have occurred several
years ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The very green house in old Folsom was completed in October
2012, and when we moved in we started tracking utilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before construction began, we projected that
the intense insulation and solar system would reduce our energy usage by
30%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would have been happy with an
actual savings of 25%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the
actual hard dollar savings between our prior home and the new home-both homes
of comparable size-was well beyond our goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The actual savings in dollars was 67% for electricity and 71% for
natural gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The savings in kWh and
Therms was equally impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
outstanding energy reduction results are a compelling case for the use of
advanced framing techniques and superior insulation methods in
construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The down side of building such a solid and well insulated
home is that when it warms up in the winter, the upstairs zone is overly warm. I find it occasionally too warm to
sleep at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the winter I like to
sleep under the weight of a comforter, which means I get too warm at
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it is coldest in the winter
and the furnace heats the downstairs zone to 68-70 degrees, the upstairs will
warm up to 72-74 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and stay there</i>! So
last winter when we had a good freeze, lows in the 20’s for a week, my bedroom
window was open 4-5 inches all night, every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> During a normal winter the house is very comfortable, but a during a really cold spell it is actually too warm. </span>Such a warm little house! When I am a little
old lady who is cold all the time, maybe I will finally close that window…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We planted what little area we could plant. The historic
district lot is small at only 50’ wide which allows for a small and easily
manageable patio and garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Located by
a river and greenbelt, the views are borrowed from nature as are the wildlife.
The landscape area outside the fence is deer territory; they regularly trim the
bushes and have twice eaten the grapefruit tree down to stubs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Back to</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0033cc;">Local Fruit!</span></i></b>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This blog started as a way to share the
experience of building an energy efficient home in a cool historic neighborhood
in a fun California town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay with me
as I expand the <i><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Local Fruit!</span></b></span></i>'s footprints to add vineyard tales in northern California,
especially El Dorado and Amador counties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0033cc;">Local Fruit!</span></i></b> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">adventure will
continue in 2015!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpPeK-pN6qQTlU5wmgK_nbm7qo8Cx3LzcILzSEjyCP2W_qS4NYyOwHplqiT5Gby_WZNj_h9PwmdIs2JOkI-lgsTGdAC5KQvIz-IH1mF0jjrfHjq7oXH44ZP6kaLy6tspoEwnFYSIYtu2j/s1600/IMG_3715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpPeK-pN6qQTlU5wmgK_nbm7qo8Cx3LzcILzSEjyCP2W_qS4NYyOwHplqiT5Gby_WZNj_h9PwmdIs2JOkI-lgsTGdAC5KQvIz-IH1mF0jjrfHjq7oXH44ZP6kaLy6tspoEwnFYSIYtu2j/s1600/IMG_3715.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-46174979599369547362011-09-23T00:12:00.000-07:002011-09-23T00:18:31.438-07:00Finishing Construction in Old Folsom! <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODXSrTh6k_QtZD9hjt4KEgJNVTDO4FMTssKyW4fjJR6ItYAKTWIOwexncbI75D7GvqhUT3VPJlEC74C-4G8VXwmufGr1Frf4LgHc_DVaK_xnKTj9RUoZGOO3J3mGXkhr4B6DVcmEPsMSG/s1600/Flatwork+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="297px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODXSrTh6k_QtZD9hjt4KEgJNVTDO4FMTssKyW4fjJR6ItYAKTWIOwexncbI75D7GvqhUT3VPJlEC74C-4G8VXwmufGr1Frf4LgHc_DVaK_xnKTj9RUoZGOO3J3mGXkhr4B6DVcmEPsMSG/s400/Flatwork+1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russet release (red) being stamped</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hello and welcome back to <strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Local Fruit!</span></em></strong> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our home now has flatwork, which is construction talk for the finish concrete used in patios and stairs. The back patio included stamped concrete for the porch and garage steps; the front concrete work includes a short sidewalk. The back yard was designed and framed a few days before, but Rich was still modifying the shape of the front steps on the morning of the pour. It was fun to design the shapes ourselves, collaborating with spray paint and a tape measure. We love the stamp pattern called <a href="http://www.artisticconcretedesign.com/id850.htm">Roman Slate</a>. All of the concrete in our home was delivered and installed by skilled tradesmen, and it was a pleasure to meet them and admire their work.</div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhqeyfjEqK53qCqzX9X__tGA2_EqKs_bYMjpXnvPTr5Lku4HvmHKYpeppW9WlIVuivbIeHxaUeblD_Z3GUL0WWNo4QnIl3t05jHjACqTrJ8m3HcDRLAqPI18n5eK9Q3xp-kIloExlZ5en/s1600/Flatwork+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="298px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhqeyfjEqK53qCqzX9X__tGA2_EqKs_bYMjpXnvPTr5Lku4HvmHKYpeppW9WlIVuivbIeHxaUeblD_Z3GUL0WWNo4QnIl3t05jHjACqTrJ8m3HcDRLAqPI18n5eK9Q3xp-kIloExlZ5en/s400/Flatwork+2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouring front steps</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After the concrete pour, the next thing was to build the fence. Unfortunately the fence fails to keep rude people out of our yard. The day the fence was installed a couple walked in the gate expecting to tour our home. The next evening we found large dog prints and a pile of poop in the patio area. During the day someone had brought a dog with HUGE paws into the yard and left behind a HUGE pile of dog poop. <em>Peeeewww.</em></div> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Oak - with the oil in progress</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today was exciting as we met the floor subcontractor, Phillip Hawk, and saw how beautifully the floor finishing is progressing. First the raw wood was installed, covered in putty, sanded and oiled. We won’t be able to walk on the floors for three days while the oil application sets. Next week the floors will be given two coats of urethane coating. Our flooring subcontractor is truly an artisan! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The $/SF of prefinished flooring was a little lower at big box stores and the wholesale distributors, but when considering the cost of flooring parts and installation on stairs the cost for prefinished floors would have been higher than the cost of flooring using raw materials and local craftsmanship. The quality of our floor is superior to prefinished floors: it feels very solid and will have a smooth water impervious coating. Solid wood flooring is more durable and easier to maintain that prefinished flooring. It has a long lifespan and can be repaired and restained many times if needed. Sorry that these photos are grainy, they were taken by a Palm Pre cellphone. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Oak - Raw wood installed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil application in process</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d8VhGlt0swcw5BhyphenhyphenIaS6d1Th5ySmPTlrOogTUF_CIb9fXCJiotUp1LUnglFf9dwG2vrRGZ44qWtjoedqLGXtD9zP2JVV5-tTBM1_kjmYX9qxuX06ix4ehHFd7Dg3ta7d99EkKpGiELI-/s1600/HArdwood+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="480px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d8VhGlt0swcw5BhyphenhyphenIaS6d1Th5ySmPTlrOogTUF_CIb9fXCJiotUp1LUnglFf9dwG2vrRGZ44qWtjoedqLGXtD9zP2JVV5-tTBM1_kjmYX9qxuX06ix4ehHFd7Dg3ta7d99EkKpGiELI-/s640/HArdwood+4.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oiled white oak really warms up a room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Big news today! The solar PV meter was set today! I don’t know if it was connected to the utility, but I will check over the weekend to see if the meter is spinning backward. An upcoming blog entry will talk about our experience with the solar installation and the anxiety of dealing with our electric utility (<a href="http://www.smud.org/en/community-environment/solar/Pages/solarshares.aspx">SMUD</a>) for solar meter connection and energy incentives. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-43001050992663278812011-08-06T21:31:00.000-07:002011-08-06T21:38:32.031-07:00Old Folsom Is My HoodHello and welcome back to<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"> <em><strong>Local Fruit</strong></em></span></span>. Today’s blog is not about construction, but a short commentary about life in old town <a href="http://www.historicfolsom.org/">Folsom</a>.<br />
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We have enjoyed old Folsom for over twenty years, and we especially appreciate the unique character that is found in an area as richly diverse as old town. There are interesting and charming residential areas that are home to some of the most appealing sites in the city, and of course there is the commercial historic district that is fertile for people watching. Since the renovation of the historic district there is a renewed vitality in the commercial district and more interest from tourists and regional residents alike.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott St. & Sutter St.</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For the past year, while living on the outskirts of the historic district during construction of our home, we have frequently walked to the job site or to Sutter Street for dinner, a cold beer, or just to enjoy the sites in the neighborhood. We have probably passed this beautiful home on foot maybe a hundred times, and many more while driving. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky Dragon</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Of course the home has been under renovation for years; the grounds are gorgeous and this painted lady is one of Folsom’s finest monuments to a rich past. But look closely and you will see a dragon! And four-leaf clover! It is much fun to see creative renovation at work. </div><br />
On our wanderings through the older residential areas we have seen TV antenna in trees, totem poles carved as bears wearing bikinis, wonderful arbors and incredibly gnarly fine but massive old oak trees. The alleys have as much to offer, and some alleys have wonderful homes and gardens tucked quietly off the main streets. We have yet to take a walk in the hood and not be greeted by young and old- when I smile there is almost always a smile returned and often a few kind words. There are neighborhood animals that are friendly, like “Senator” the older black lab who greets with sloppy kiss in hopes of a scratch on the head. There are animals to watch, like the lone coyote that we observed for ten minutes at Coloma and Mormon St., loping and resting on the grass. He did not seem a threat but it is unnerving to see a predator openly strolling in the neighborhood.<br />
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Over the past twenty-four years we have witnessed a renewal in the old area, and many once shabby homes are now charming and well tended. I believe that the turn around was inevitable due to the progress brought by two main influences: the growth of the suburbs sprawling in the newer developments and the arrival of light rail transit. With the attractions of the river, bike paths, the Sutter Street commercial area and the influx of restaurants, more tourists discovering Historic Folsom. But stroll a few blocks away and there are homes dating back to the late 1800’s to the 1940’s with wonderful charming porches, gardens and arbors. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOCBiZs78IdN709MYm6hENR8pMWOn8is0hfuelurx15c3EbDlOjQ0e1rGC0WG0r5U8w2PN5tNo9uhB1YXDYnKMyY-M7qFKuIuI2wwVBZNAwGRaf13og3p9FsjUAc3m1xOk2JL_TKD1lxJ/s1600/Ox+shoe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOCBiZs78IdN709MYm6hENR8pMWOn8is0hfuelurx15c3EbDlOjQ0e1rGC0WG0r5U8w2PN5tNo9uhB1YXDYnKMyY-M7qFKuIuI2wwVBZNAwGRaf13og3p9FsjUAc3m1xOk2JL_TKD1lxJ/s320/Ox+shoe.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A horse or ox shoe circa 1850 from Bridge St.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We love the old town, and the people who live and work here. There is character in the old town, and we are eager to finish our home so we can enjoy the hood more than before. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-36545614302684304862011-08-01T23:53:00.000-07:002011-08-02T07:37:53.212-07:00Final Grading in Old Folsom<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUCCaXSlUCnjGYZeYAZT1AZdzui4yVwcWxKCTJ_dPuVHHw3c1l29I_bU9NAN2VgDpVpfyyazpJo3WYGVh4SI48Q7WfM7AJD3xIMaqgRATVIb3NG1QjdALTXjx0vqs-auuLtbgsFhPe__L/s1600/01+front+yard+image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUCCaXSlUCnjGYZeYAZT1AZdzui4yVwcWxKCTJ_dPuVHHw3c1l29I_bU9NAN2VgDpVpfyyazpJo3WYGVh4SI48Q7WfM7AJD3xIMaqgRATVIb3NG1QjdALTXjx0vqs-auuLtbgsFhPe__L/s320/01+front+yard+image+1.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a>Hello and welcome back to<strong><em><span style="color: blue;"> Local Fruit</span></em></strong> in Folsom, Ca. The past few weeks construction really seemed to slow down as the work in progress was interior, detailed and time consuming. The finish trim took a full two weeks to complete and was followed by a week of interior painting and prep. This blog is about grading, water permeable surfaces and the beginning of landscaping for our new home in <a href="http://www.historicfolsom.org/gallery.cfm">Old Folsom</a>.</div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graded future patio and sloped side yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Two exciting milestones occurred last Monday: final grading and the delivery of the solar panels. Quality final grading is critical to all construction projects to ensure water drainage is adequate, but even more so when dealing with a narrow and sloped lot. Our lot drops 10 ½ feet from the southeast corner to the northwest corner, which may not seem like much except the lot is <em>only 50 feet wide</em> so the slope is significant across a short distance. Returning the slope to the original grade is important to prevent water damage and to protect the heritage oak trees. A sloped lot also means that we should plan for the water that will come from neighbors uphill…at least we know the area well and understand where water runs in the rainy season.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The grader was a real master, a man named Martine with incredible skill. He brought equipment including a tractor that was about 25 years old and wonderfully patched up. The seat was 100% covered with red tape and there was a rag used to plug a hole in the sidewall of one the tires. To me, Martine had an uncanny resemblance to a Mexican version of Dustin Hoffman, especially when he was concentrating on the job at hand. We walked the lot to review our design-not an engineering plan but the simple design drawing from my PC home design software-a print out which is not technical enough for a grader. Martine then walked the lot with his hands out, mentally calculating and “feeling the flow” of the lot. Several hours later, I went home to pick up a few cold beers and returned to find the laser shooting the back yard. Martine said he was 1 ½” off in one corner which is amazing because we did not provide any before of after measurements. Think about it… a true master who read the slope, returned the soil perfectly to original grade (which he had never seen) and did it all using old school gear with no measurements. I think this was a challenge for Martine and he seemed to enjoy the challenge. I was honored to meet him and to watch him work; I can recommend his work without hesitation to anyone need a good grader. It is so inspiring to watch a master tradesman in action, especially a magician like Martine!</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTuNggChYsM7KpRZ9lovIu1axLJPkPb7z4enDqyosUrU4LmkabsNHQ0IJmmDDo9PL8bDTzkZzsPlhZBEdkkHOiL01Qi7cDJkVkI6cMDnny8JpRUwqFssRcUvAce3KTa-534nef4zOPlm2/s1600/03+Backyard+landscape+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTuNggChYsM7KpRZ9lovIu1axLJPkPb7z4enDqyosUrU4LmkabsNHQ0IJmmDDo9PL8bDTzkZzsPlhZBEdkkHOiL01Qi7cDJkVkI6cMDnny8JpRUwqFssRcUvAce3KTa-534nef4zOPlm2/s320/03+Backyard+landscape+plan.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape design - patio, trees, trellis, grapes (makes sense?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It is satisfying to start laying out the landscaping, at least enough for the landscapers to bid on the project. We are hands-on owners, especially with the landscaping and landscape design. A dear friend used the term “No dry cows” which means don’t plant anything that is not productive. We hope to grow plants & trees that are edible, or at least have other household value. There will even be four raised beds so we can plant a spring/summer and a fall/winter garden. The City provided compost bin has been in use for several months, and we are beginning to haul potted plants from our little rental yard. We must be careful, or the deer will get to our plants before we can install fencing. Between the birds, dear and occasional worker, the figs have been well eaten this summer!</div>We originally planned to have <a href="https://fp.auburn.edu/heinmic/PerviousConcrete/videos.html">water permeable surfaces</a> for our hardscape, which means pavers or hard surfaces that do not create runoff. Rainwater should filter through the patio or sidewalk to the soil and become groundwater, verses draining off on the surface to the storm sewer and away from the soil. Worse yet, uncontrolled runoff causes erosion and damage to the municipal storm sewer system.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Unfortunately, our project has cost over runs in other areas, and permeable surfaces are no longer an option. The most attractive hard surface is stone, which is now out of the budget. Stamped and stained concrete may be what we end up with. concrete provides more color and texture options and should be very attractive. The current design has a much reduced the patio area to create more planting areas for small fruit trees and ground cover. This will give us the best of both: more beds and greenery and a smaller more intimate patio for the outdoor dining area. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>With a little creativity, a slope is a landscaping asset! Even a narrow lot looks better with grape vines, yes? If we put grapes on the fence, perhaps the deer will nibble on grapes and quince, and leave the roses alone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDO6iERxdcMx2FuEEDmKv8pLGLgLjxfniSQ2c-JjN0LuQHjGqZWtTJgMacvDVcqmkKYLEj0xxfmh_gkAfcjBa4GrqzP0MsXlPdoHfN-qZ7CjX7t26kMsppJWnrjOvv8EFwd_ITomBbt9HV/s1600/IMGP2159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDO6iERxdcMx2FuEEDmKv8pLGLgLjxfniSQ2c-JjN0LuQHjGqZWtTJgMacvDVcqmkKYLEj0xxfmh_gkAfcjBa4GrqzP0MsXlPdoHfN-qZ7CjX7t26kMsppJWnrjOvv8EFwd_ITomBbt9HV/s200/IMGP2159.JPG" t$="true" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar Panels on the west side of the roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The solar panels were installed today, but are not yet hooked up. I will blog about the PV system in a week or so.<br />
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</div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com1Folsom, CA 95630, USA38.668585 -121.1481284000000238.6173325 -121.21292740000001 38.7198375 -121.08332940000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-3254427064435508412011-06-15T23:39:00.000-07:002011-06-16T07:02:58.990-07:00Drywall, stairs and figs <br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsR0_fce9HLfztD7593zFovoHXwI2oLKy6E6XCzn_gMZXEkKARPp_QTTavw0ToO3ub_aVVfqOwzjkKyqIoRtyUbfPC-P-t8ZOTfElfO4_v7exrJwGZ-gRbke_kbvgOjXnkh1snK4nVsXI/s1600/CIMG0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsR0_fce9HLfztD7593zFovoHXwI2oLKy6E6XCzn_gMZXEkKARPp_QTTavw0ToO3ub_aVVfqOwzjkKyqIoRtyUbfPC-P-t8ZOTfElfO4_v7exrJwGZ-gRbke_kbvgOjXnkh1snK4nVsXI/s200/CIMG0099.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Installing sheetrock over foam insulation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hello and welcome to<span style="background-color: white;"> <strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Local Fruit</span></em></strong></span> in Folsom, Ca. This is a quick blog entry to show construction progress for this week. After insulation was installed last week, and inspected, the drywall was installed this week. The next step is to tape and texture the walls. The texture will take a few days to install because is it done by hand, and should take a few days to dry. Thankfully the weather conditions are ideal for texturing and drying.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The construction schedule is really picking up pace and things will come together quickly now. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><ul style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ObIYtiP-JyJid4RfpfZBBcf1nNOjTmpooNUih6kAyhwXtbU2GWd2WzVGH6SKzAHSQkKBFYcgkX7psERFTJ0Mej3VEyxNp_j0zXoDHfIuRdMfiseLfEI1sEFMbtPJdg9e0UFJ732C4Cct/s1600/CIMG0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ObIYtiP-JyJid4RfpfZBBcf1nNOjTmpooNUih6kAyhwXtbU2GWd2WzVGH6SKzAHSQkKBFYcgkX7psERFTJ0Mej3VEyxNp_j0zXoDHfIuRdMfiseLfEI1sEFMbtPJdg9e0UFJ732C4Cct/s200/CIMG0114.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apartment kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This week Walls, stairs to garage</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Next week tape, top, texture the walls</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2 weeks out install trim</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3 weeks out paint </li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4 weeks out install cabinets</li>
</ul><br />
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Wow. Now that the walls are built the rooms have taken on a completely different look and feel than when the walls were just studs. There are still many decisions to make in a very short period of time, including colors. Choosing colors has always been a challenge for me and may cause more than a little stress. there are sample colors on the exterior but narrowing down the options from the top three to the perfect color can take a long time in our house. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAICaP1GPEj8aaGINDDDicL_7wleMkpctqO2WcSmTPHz6wKrW4HVid1bGdZIX94bHVtcXmmII3fDeFJpaCWj-cJY8ecl-cThFmRvVStLttiTfgizJr7maqNjM3Svp3rRRMHDWUMod39aH/s1600/CIMG0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; height: 374px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 240px;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAICaP1GPEj8aaGINDDDicL_7wleMkpctqO2WcSmTPHz6wKrW4HVid1bGdZIX94bHVtcXmmII3fDeFJpaCWj-cJY8ecl-cThFmRvVStLttiTfgizJr7maqNjM3Svp3rRRMHDWUMod39aH/s320/CIMG0111.jpg" width="236px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at the fig tree and across to the sunny front yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We walked to the house tonight. It was a pleasant summer evening and as we neared the house we noticed that the stair stringers had finally been installed to allow the sheetrock workers to access the apartment. This picture shows the fig tree and main house from the landing. Someday soon we will be able to pick figs from the landing! <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-65311208741839686632011-06-05T21:11:00.000-07:002011-06-05T21:11:33.526-07:00Investing in InsulationHello and welcome to <strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Local Fruit</span></em></strong> Folsom. This week’s blog is about insulation and the building envelope. Throughout our new construction home project the focus has been energy efficiency. We chose to invest in building a quality envelope around our living area because our goal is to minimize our utility bills and try to get to a net $0 in annual utility bills.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84u2fE-x75_GZNglwutKXFdmStZ4HcMdP9h7I4hyLBFRAcF0LG4kQ9KaGljjj6xw7RwrAOUKr-sp_Uo4zN1tU7gnQz9GQVoqvBScYv-Rl8C8l9fywIZKI2nEqJICgc2a_qJH8qEGLUzcU/s1600/closed+cell+foam+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84u2fE-x75_GZNglwutKXFdmStZ4HcMdP9h7I4hyLBFRAcF0LG4kQ9KaGljjj6xw7RwrAOUKr-sp_Uo4zN1tU7gnQz9GQVoqvBScYv-Rl8C8l9fywIZKI2nEqJICgc2a_qJH8qEGLUzcU/s200/closed+cell+foam+1.JPG" t8="true" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Soy-based closed cell spray foam in exterior walls</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After using advanced framing to maximize the energy efficiency from a structural and framing basis, we selected highly efficient windows and turned our focus on the insulation of the building envelope. The objective is to build a very efficient home and use a solar PV system to minimize the actual purchase of utility power. When focusing on energy efficiency, the absolute most important element in the design of the home is the insulation.</div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HNifbekXiKzEvkYqW5x_vKQiq3p2PGtSruQ3hZH-MyVv5S7_KK34sdXnET6RnXWVxrCyAC8AZ4wAGvElNhLtXizJB75FRpbjb-A0Y7SwmvrMCqoV8JUTWmR47L4uVyXHuoY-vycJn-b8/s1600/Man+room+open+and+closed+cell+foam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HNifbekXiKzEvkYqW5x_vKQiq3p2PGtSruQ3hZH-MyVv5S7_KK34sdXnET6RnXWVxrCyAC8AZ4wAGvElNhLtXizJB75FRpbjb-A0Y7SwmvrMCqoV8JUTWmR47L4uVyXHuoY-vycJn-b8/s200/Man+room+open+and+closed+cell+foam.JPG" t8="true" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open cell foam under the roof deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We attended <a href="http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/expo/international-expo.aspx">Greenbuild</a> in 2009 in Phoenix and saw a demo of a hybrid system at the CertainTeed exhibit. Seeing an actual demo structure allowed us to better understand what we were asking of our builder in 2010, and of our insulation subcontractor in 2011. Learning about the envelope and advanced framing also helped us to choose a quality builder who had experience with green building techniques. </div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our house is constructed using four different types of insulation:</div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">• Roof deck - 8” of open cell spray foam to achieve R30</div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">• Exterior walls - both closed cell soy-based foam and blown cellulose to achieve R27</div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">• Floor – Fiberglass batts</div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwX8oTIoSjhI1PQDQ7RYvbLbO5IGxR34Fd-LHp_eBZK072qpkoydf34ifKeU6e3qW97NiZwbDuIeNwf4lA-jw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>The house was framed using 24” x 6” on center advanced framing. This means that the framing is 24” apart and the exterior walls are 6” deep to allow for very thorough access during the insulation phase. There is not an exterior surface that is not extremely well insulated. In the walls, we decided to go with a hybrid system that includes 2” of closed cell foam and 4” of blown cellulose. <a href="http://www.sprayfoam.com/spps/ahpg.cfm?spgid=6">Closed cell</a> foam has many advantages but is extremely expensive compared to open cell foam or cellulose. By using only 2” of the closed cell foam we gain the benefits of a tight seal, added structural rigidity and improved wind resistance for the home. Closed cell foam is made from soy beans and does not allow water or air to pass and it is mold and pest proof. However, when reviewing costs it became evident that 6” of foam does not deliver as much R-Value per dollar as a combination of insulation methods. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Quite a few of the contractors wanted to be involved in a green project, but lacked actual experience. We chose <a href="http://www.gaikirkegaardconstruction.com/">Gai Kirkegaard</a> to build our home because he had already built a LEED Platinum home in our town: he talked the talk and walked the walk. He even drives one of the most efficient cars available-proof that he lives efficiently. When talking about the envelope or advanced framing, Gai and his team truly understand the intricacies of green building. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61N3pzJECX9KsSuXez0l_Qj_xo7OPhcUA6GF9hPQrUwO3nkLkmSHSqXNkRVesZBv0DcR8ZLbfYLsNE21igMypUY-8V7CRyMMcsko1-_dyDPHQTn5CC1OV6SY6Ir6hg82IF1Q1C24hMFnW/s1600/Orpn+Cell+foam+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61N3pzJECX9KsSuXez0l_Qj_xo7OPhcUA6GF9hPQrUwO3nkLkmSHSqXNkRVesZBv0DcR8ZLbfYLsNE21igMypUY-8V7CRyMMcsko1-_dyDPHQTn5CC1OV6SY6Ir6hg82IF1Q1C24hMFnW/s200/Orpn+Cell+foam+3.JPG" t8="true" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This week was exciting as both the roof and insulation were installed. The insulation installers make a terrible mess, but as soon as they clean up we can schedule the insulation inspection. After that drywall starts and we can start counting down the weeks until we get to move in. Whoo-hoo!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs5qpcSAyWm3lee1fy6xjAupnQYzWhE2nbTal0MZXSK2rYyGy-2JqXQNUzkYu3QJmRAhRIwQs8hyphenhyphenhByOpORLDkXwKfcydmWc5vfaWneqH0MzVqsKF0Qloj8y5Q8in_rbpIqKaB9onBX7o/s1600/DSC00779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs5qpcSAyWm3lee1fy6xjAupnQYzWhE2nbTal0MZXSK2rYyGy-2JqXQNUzkYu3QJmRAhRIwQs8hyphenhyphenhByOpORLDkXwKfcydmWc5vfaWneqH0MzVqsKF0Qloj8y5Q8in_rbpIqKaB9onBX7o/s200/DSC00779.JPG" t8="true" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House with siding and shingles</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hello and welcome to <em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Local Fruit</strong></span></em>. It has been a few weeks since I last posted an update on the construction of our home. Although framing and trim have taken longer than we expected, the project is moving along quickly now! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The siding shingles and trim are almost completed, as are rough plumbing and rough electrical. This week’s short blog is about an incredible process to protect and preserve the wooden members of a construction project using a corn product that also cleans the wood beautifully. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXeK3g5JvILB7HWC_9wwcRDrdfcImVBOD5JuIVpXCBqvvIj6zWETgC8ICNCFAFScoEkpZ_mI3Q80X1TfmFHLfvP4rAwjT3tdVvfz9QFapWuTRw8P-6W5DazDWvPZe-VG9Jic8SAjpIKtp/s1600/1+Lumber+mold+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXeK3g5JvILB7HWC_9wwcRDrdfcImVBOD5JuIVpXCBqvvIj6zWETgC8ICNCFAFScoEkpZ_mI3Q80X1TfmFHLfvP4rAwjT3tdVvfz9QFapWuTRw8P-6W5DazDWvPZe-VG9Jic8SAjpIKtp/s200/1+Lumber+mold+1.jpg" t8="true" width="150px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mold stain on framing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6tlRFMCYbiXVGpRMxyx8P2Dv_hS0x_mMThI4cRVNATxSqGTVKHUlDeco5vvmRx3dyI2Itc-RsLr6HEI5o-gYQ9JFhNxz5WYGlR_MUEOk6ivCK_F08K4XusGTHrcuD8QZ5zBdlcCX9oT4/s1600/2+Lumber+mold+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6tlRFMCYbiXVGpRMxyx8P2Dv_hS0x_mMThI4cRVNATxSqGTVKHUlDeco5vvmRx3dyI2Itc-RsLr6HEI5o-gYQ9JFhNxz5WYGlR_MUEOk6ivCK_F08K4XusGTHrcuD8QZ5zBdlcCX9oT4/s200/2+Lumber+mold+2.jpg" t8="true" width="150px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lumber Yard Molds</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When framing in the winter, like we did, lumber comes to the job site from the lumber yard in a variety of conditions ranging from damp to slightly discolored (lumber yard mold). Depending on how much exposure the wood has had to rain and the sugar content of the wood, the lumber yard mold may range in color from green/blue to grey to black. In our case, the house and apartment were framed during a very long rainy season. Here is a photo of the lumber yard mold in the apartment structure. After questioning the builder about the growth in the wood, we decided to get an independent test of the wood just in case there were spores that were dangerous. After all, only a tape test analyzed by a qualified (certified) mold specialist can determine what species are present and make recommendations as to the removal of the growth. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRcGcRP-PXAPpfSvX7tfIKH19CXtWhX5eaZY9ED_pNxO285sAcR_3U81VL6WBlpCJRVL58PrdqqbMAvdPUjTp1FCcPEJNYt4_Q1uaVPwBg5wU1EERbsPyVWwBI2xdjFgU8BGI2Ct0Lbqt/s1600/3+Corn+Fractions.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRcGcRP-PXAPpfSvX7tfIKH19CXtWhX5eaZY9ED_pNxO285sAcR_3U81VL6WBlpCJRVL58PrdqqbMAvdPUjTp1FCcPEJNYt4_Q1uaVPwBg5wU1EERbsPyVWwBI2xdjFgU8BGI2Ct0Lbqt/s200/3+Corn+Fractions.JPG" t8="true" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn cleaning product</td></tr>
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The tape test confirmed the presence of lumber yard mold in the apartment and in several areas in the main house. After speaking with our builder, we decided to remediate the condition using a company that follows a two-step process to treat all exposed wood: remove the growths using high pressure blast of <a href="http://www.mtpulaski.com/index.html">corn fractions</a> (like corn meal) and then apply a weak borate solution. Both steps are completely natural and chemical free, contain zero VOC’s and improve air quality after use. But this is why we chose to proceed: the end product is a clean structure at a reasonable cost.</div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJnGuG3wUgoQrWr3zSbsayD32unywFpJfpWacbANtGAf95GpHA_vkBsaMa4lloMPy1uVp8scxxlgN4-dHzwj1pQgicCEZCKsheKyoTp45zUqJmqPDvbPZZ1bxmu7Jtiu7zjyR_WigP5yz/s1600/4+Corn+grinds+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJnGuG3wUgoQrWr3zSbsayD32unywFpJfpWacbANtGAf95GpHA_vkBsaMa4lloMPy1uVp8scxxlgN4-dHzwj1pQgicCEZCKsheKyoTp45zUqJmqPDvbPZZ1bxmu7Jtiu7zjyR_WigP5yz/s200/4+Corn+grinds+2.jpg" t8="true" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn fractions after cleaning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv_73QxlxaOdo9W7HV8EgJ8J2gtr3iE55Qc4v5amagaEVTaQgcL_rYQeUMyMv3QoKj83CfjRuYVHIwkrEkMUxWxh2SHyqtasAhDxdVa_mj1nJD2QMg80R9tdBcxNllGZxs6Q4933OZMul/s1600/5+Corn+grinds+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv_73QxlxaOdo9W7HV8EgJ8J2gtr3iE55Qc4v5amagaEVTaQgcL_rYQeUMyMv3QoKj83CfjRuYVHIwkrEkMUxWxh2SHyqtasAhDxdVa_mj1nJD2QMg80R9tdBcxNllGZxs6Q4933OZMul/s200/5+Corn+grinds+1.jpg" t8="true" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Corn fractions up close</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCIW9CQFFdLVdfme3UfOPFksdHzkatwfD_nLs4LjeP-x25Z-M0I9vCwJm1fv9nQs7CrloXi7vBWdQ8wpzX9xx8j89WrljFvtlUWC7wPXcSJrS0PmP6BakVdwibJbotBm6jmYS_f4aquFT/s1600/6+Borate+Solution.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCIW9CQFFdLVdfme3UfOPFksdHzkatwfD_nLs4LjeP-x25Z-M0I9vCwJm1fv9nQs7CrloXi7vBWdQ8wpzX9xx8j89WrljFvtlUWC7wPXcSJrS0PmP6BakVdwibJbotBm6jmYS_f4aquFT/s200/6+Borate+Solution.JPG" t8="true" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borate Solution - 100% natural</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After power blasting the wood, the team used air pressure to blow out all dust and debris from the house. Then they applied the borate solution which is claimed to prevent mold, mildew, moss, fungi, termites, etc. The remediation company, <a href="http://www.usamoldguard.com/index.html">MoldGaurd USA</a>, Inc. backs up their marketing claims with a guarantee against future growth. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The very green process is used in commercial multi-family construction projects to reduce both cleaning costs and liability of future mold growth. The before and after photos on their web site are very convincing and in our case the house was spotless when the team left. Unfortunately the electrician and HVAC guys came in the next day and made fresh sawdust… more for us to sweep each day.</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our builder, <a href="http://www.gaikirkegaardconstruction.com/">Gai Kirkegaard Construction</a>, is calling for the framing inspection this week, and insulation installation next week. The heart of this house is the envelope, with efficient windows, clean walls and great insulation. The next posting should be about out insulation and our application to the California Advanced Homes Partnership for energy incentives. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxqvpPAYeu38720rEzjvov15nEWhr1hHCwzRHuJ2aow9Wrahj_YpVpJgigTwPG4f6BdXJa-q6rLd1Wug4gQJeJrfeb6Ee2qtjCCTEXv6RtDaVVu47cfOERhY2FJWKV5AmLB0YzBg5bHZC/s1600/Bridge+Street+house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxqvpPAYeu38720rEzjvov15nEWhr1hHCwzRHuJ2aow9Wrahj_YpVpJgigTwPG4f6BdXJa-q6rLd1Wug4gQJeJrfeb6Ee2qtjCCTEXv6RtDaVVu47cfOERhY2FJWKV5AmLB0YzBg5bHZC/s320/Bridge+Street+house.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White House</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Hello and welcome to <i><b><span style="color: blue;">Local Fruit</span></b></i>. The entry this week is just for fun! The house is taking shape and is wrapped in white moisture barriers – Tyvek on the exterior walls and a roofing under layer on the roof surfaces. It is all white right now, and very visible from across the river. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRZabd_XZm91ydw28flh5ppqqZlH_5TM4Cr42PBEk3-vKEsiEtuo699yEHjLfBpqdAtaOjPwzbAFnTzH82PQrXxuuybzvcVmhQv3XNLW-jZ_g9gVC03iistpsVLXQXhxUATrPPPPzx7Mb/s1600/Folsom+Rail+Yard+Block.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRZabd_XZm91ydw28flh5ppqqZlH_5TM4Cr42PBEk3-vKEsiEtuo699yEHjLfBpqdAtaOjPwzbAFnTzH82PQrXxuuybzvcVmhQv3XNLW-jZ_g9gVC03iistpsVLXQXhxUATrPPPPzx7Mb/s320/Folsom+Rail+Yard+Block.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the parking garage toward Sutter St.</td></tr>
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This photo shows site work at the old rail yard which is being redeveloped in Historic Folsom. Combined with the City of Folsom’s renovations on Sutter Street and the facades being rebuilt, the old merchant district is beginning to sparkle again. The City is celebrating with a grand party on May 7<sup>th</sup>, 2011. For news, go to <a href="http://www.folsom.ca.us/depts/redevelopment_and_housing/redevelopment/sutter_street_revitalization_2010/default.asp">http://www.folsom.ca.us/depts/redevelopment_and_housing/redevelopment/sutter_street_revitalization_2010/default.asp</a> . <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNzFtFus2SnAxoASDg04w7UaizZg-AZzjU2N8Y3r_sgaX_V5HwPouZy6BQnuf_myHkhHHHq3d1l0fEs5R1Cwaajlw3ZUMH8fL0Yp2VrnyM1R0cQecPNZh2noHzJKVzZ3BgEcB5UC9og4D/s1600/Folsom+State+Recreation+Area+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNzFtFus2SnAxoASDg04w7UaizZg-AZzjU2N8Y3r_sgaX_V5HwPouZy6BQnuf_myHkhHHHq3d1l0fEs5R1Cwaajlw3ZUMH8fL0Yp2VrnyM1R0cQecPNZh2noHzJKVzZ3BgEcB5UC9og4D/s400/Folsom+State+Recreation+Area+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Lake Natoma</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4EFiUpqg3FXKidfmyy3nGy8HAosyrbZeMycgkvVz8cqlPy02K1y0aZm0dNIfwTsINFHpXk642UgxbY97mZC3VQ8pYD4kKhDhX27YS68LBZQKqwc5ScatvxGQVt3mN4LnKdGYxUKN0fKW/s1600/Folsom+State+Recreation+Area+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4EFiUpqg3FXKidfmyy3nGy8HAosyrbZeMycgkvVz8cqlPy02K1y0aZm0dNIfwTsINFHpXk642UgxbY97mZC3VQ8pYD4kKhDhX27YS68LBZQKqwc5ScatvxGQVt3mN4LnKdGYxUKN0fKW/s400/Folsom+State+Recreation+Area+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Negro Bar at Lake Natoma (Folsom Lake State Park)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguipo_E1xtzWfh53bLUgsgWfbXsUVPtywm0LNWIuGWxjED3ehwOtJWVMumXjhON_dDijohhMw4oiKiVkcxHf5AVgcZcy6frugwPLa0ov_mr-R1Rl3EFESaBw4kRGNTYR8CTIthxAsuhVry/s1600/white+house+and+bridges.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguipo_E1xtzWfh53bLUgsgWfbXsUVPtywm0LNWIuGWxjED3ehwOtJWVMumXjhON_dDijohhMw4oiKiVkcxHf5AVgcZcy6frugwPLa0ov_mr-R1Rl3EFESaBw4kRGNTYR8CTIthxAsuhVry/s400/white+house+and+bridges.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Bridge & the old truss bridge (American River)</td></tr>
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These photos were taken from across the American River and provide a glimpse of why we enjoy Old Folsom so much. The area has character: history, wildlife, and plenty to see and do. Within the Historic District are charming neighborhoods, a state recreation area with river access and bike paths, restaurants and funky retail shops. There is plenty to see and do, with street festivals and events throughout the year.Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-26912546158462294992011-04-01T14:51:00.000-07:002011-04-01T14:53:40.366-07:00Skin on the houseHello and welcome back to <span style="color: blue;"><em><strong>Local</strong></em> <em><strong>Fruit</strong></em></span><em><strong>!</strong></em><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbp0l9YWSCkFB8NpKNZnk24Zyw84GKZtxkFvEr6uV_ssP70J4SL5AlvP-BGggzDatQBLutt6J3Rnm_qofcTKi3kV2I50P0kmiiicU3Ppl6kKhtYLbSszKKCPouvKjmQoKdgk0-FWbUCgw/s1600/11.03.31+Skin+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbp0l9YWSCkFB8NpKNZnk24Zyw84GKZtxkFvEr6uV_ssP70J4SL5AlvP-BGggzDatQBLutt6J3Rnm_qofcTKi3kV2I50P0kmiiicU3Ppl6kKhtYLbSszKKCPouvKjmQoKdgk0-FWbUCgw/s200/11.03.31+Skin+1.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrapping the moisture membrane</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The house project has really picked up pace the past week now that the sun has come out. Framing in the winter means weather delays but our builder’s guys worked through most of the weather. Once the felt was on the roof the guys worked rain or shine.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This short update is mainly to show the skin – outer areas – of the building being applied and installed. The term “water-tight” means that the roof materials are installed to a point of protecting the interior area from rain, the building is wrapped and the windows are installed. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J1d-TaZ-HbpFyZi3EUR1SA8Oxmsyg_84Gp35-8ogrwuRbJj_gOF_vOA8gwbuyglVxnEdEgAz23HDKrL6YalT4QIYK1ip9tr898ZDJwKs1O_HKfhEnMS3zGM6IWH-njlAF7tjf0DVKbAM/s1600/11.03.31+Skin+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J1d-TaZ-HbpFyZi3EUR1SA8Oxmsyg_84Gp35-8ogrwuRbJj_gOF_vOA8gwbuyglVxnEdEgAz23HDKrL6YalT4QIYK1ip9tr898ZDJwKs1O_HKfhEnMS3zGM6IWH-njlAF7tjf0DVKbAM/s200/11.03.31+Skin+3.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roofing underlayer</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The felt product on the roof is pretty cool. It is attached with staples and plastic discs to make a secure water-tight connection. The material is textured and not slick even when wet so it is not slippery to walk on. The roof was covered for a few days, then the vent holes were cut in… in time for the rains of March!</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The wrapping of the exterior is standard procedure to create a moisture barrier before the siding is applied. The siding is on site and will take about two weeks to apply.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO46CHlfzKEsj1HiB3SNAAtmEuD1B_ITfDcVQKUnUsjhM1y4doJWnGcMZsOggb9TBw-NGELaaea-lvqxC3UH02C0mvk5udjLcntNRcUdZFH6tEnoW5a2ko3fuNqn3cYtWPoc1hpwHysvb/s1600/11.03.31+Skin+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO46CHlfzKEsj1HiB3SNAAtmEuD1B_ITfDcVQKUnUsjhM1y4doJWnGcMZsOggb9TBw-NGELaaea-lvqxC3UH02C0mvk5udjLcntNRcUdZFH6tEnoW5a2ko3fuNqn3cYtWPoc1hpwHysvb/s200/11.03.31+Skin+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Men installing windows</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Windows were delivered yesterday. They are Milgard Tuscany windows, very efficient. Being in the Historic District, we needed to use single hung windows. However, several windows in single hung style do not meet the code requirements for egress. Our window man recommended casement windows that look like single hung- a great idea when trying to meet the conflicting requirements of the City Building Department and the City Historic Commission. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Door jams were ordered and temporary doors will be installed to make the house secure. Of course we will need to leave windows open to continue drying the lumber that was exposed to rain for weeks.</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So now that the building’s skin is being installed, we are taking measures to allow air circulation and increased ventilation so that everything is dry enough in a few weeks to install the spray foam insulation. Even lumber that feels dry to the touch - including some types of lumber yard materials - can actually have a moisture content of up to 16% in California. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now that the rainy season is about over, we are excited that the project is moving forward again. It is fun to drop by the lot and visit the contractors and to watch the neighbors pointing at the house as they walk past. This week windows and gutters were installed. Next week the siding starts to go up. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are eager to have construction finished and to be able to move in. Even Zoe the dog is happy to go hang out at the house and be stimulated by all the sites, sounds and smells of the project. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jtV6ZrtaHP5QT4GwL8-vtSTySAhNKA22NoThTm_c20NXrvT3YXTfcLHOkoi4Ourfcna_3qaiOBTlb4C6UxJUw7bTKyW9EaCeMz7gPkLNAs4O33Fc4tAr9Tq3OL0Qzutxk1kce0NtArX2/s1600/11.03.31+Skin+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jtV6ZrtaHP5QT4GwL8-vtSTySAhNKA22NoThTm_c20NXrvT3YXTfcLHOkoi4Ourfcna_3qaiOBTlb4C6UxJUw7bTKyW9EaCeMz7gPkLNAs4O33Fc4tAr9Tq3OL0Qzutxk1kce0NtArX2/s320/11.03.31+Skin+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Front of the house</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO46CHlfzKEsj1HiB3SNAAtmEuD1B_ITfDcVQKUnUsjhM1y4doJWnGcMZsOggb9TBw-NGELaaea-lvqxC3UH02C0mvk5udjLcntNRcUdZFH6tEnoW5a2ko3fuNqn3cYtWPoc1hpwHysvb/s200/11.03.31+Skin+2.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 482px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 561px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-14612875306488525672011-02-27T11:25:00.000-08:002011-02-27T12:17:24.986-08:00Advanced Framing in Folsom<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hello and welcome to <strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Local Fruit</span></em></strong>. The entry this week explains why we chose to invest in the envelope of our home, and specifically highlight the advanced framing techniques that are at the heart of our green construction. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When we started planning for our future home, we spoke with several contractors, architects and designers who all were very competent and professional. However, the top priority on the house is energy efficiency and we wanted to build a home that was designed to minimize electricity and gas usage, and thus cost less to operate in the years ahead. Two phrases were used commonly by the builders with green building experience: <em>“invest in the envelope”</em> and <em>“advanced framing”</em>. The logic is sound – design a solid and well insulated envelope around the living areas; the cost to heat and cool the occupied spaces will be greatly reduced, resulting in a lighter impact on the environment. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8Mjk9V3MzMGejSYbmLi3OQIvwSBQFfSAVpN7Z6pTFzvN5EJyMAp1yqUs1CeC95PnAkiMUWHjEKEEOWQhPMHeAp_8bc_1vN09HZsN2YXjxpQpSh4JE78UwKZKleknqmyvKQ5YyiulZgW9/s1600/houseinsulation2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8Mjk9V3MzMGejSYbmLi3OQIvwSBQFfSAVpN7Z6pTFzvN5EJyMAp1yqUs1CeC95PnAkiMUWHjEKEEOWQhPMHeAp_8bc_1vN09HZsN2YXjxpQpSh4JE78UwKZKleknqmyvKQ5YyiulZgW9/s200/houseinsulation2.gif" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The <a href="http://www.pewclimate.org/technology/factsheet/BuildingEnvelope">envelope</a> consists of the exterior walls, windows, under the first floor and the attic, in short the entire area that separates inside conditioned air from outside air. Most buildings have leaks caused by spaces that were too small to insulate when built, like electrical outlets and wall corners. By using advanced framing techniques the objective is to allow each and every inch of the envelope to be designed to minimize energy waste. Even the windows were chosen to be as efficient as the budget would allow.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfkd6l7_bS2ec4ldP4eCHbCrjjjLESE38Uaauhunpl8LxdhZw4QwEu8bZZRQ-zPT4FVh4rzdTHWPCW91HNLGKvFaL25zxzRG61UFf1hHvIRu00GqVWBRa4dDRm8Z0QwzKqVionBbXNaz7/s1600/Advanced+framing+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfkd6l7_bS2ec4ldP4eCHbCrjjjLESE38Uaauhunpl8LxdhZw4QwEu8bZZRQ-zPT4FVh4rzdTHWPCW91HNLGKvFaL25zxzRG61UFf1hHvIRu00GqVWBRa4dDRm8Z0QwzKqVionBbXNaz7/s200/Advanced+framing+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAUShyjY8UkcFpty-29K_mHQrm7Ia9BTb7pYkdgiHxlisSjYxMQr1i27fG4HOqTQtUwb65993GxCE5qWhx-I_1OKGRVV3cR3fUhrSFchLsDBN1U8B6WIswWw4dBfQyAJTZHLfoJOhUC3F/s1600/Adv+Framing+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAUShyjY8UkcFpty-29K_mHQrm7Ia9BTb7pYkdgiHxlisSjYxMQr1i27fG4HOqTQtUwb65993GxCE5qWhx-I_1OKGRVV3cR3fUhrSFchLsDBN1U8B6WIswWw4dBfQyAJTZHLfoJOhUC3F/s200/Adv+Framing+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Advanced Framing Walls and Floor</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/designing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10090">Advanced framing</a> is very cool to watch. The joists and trusses are ordered to the specs of the home and are delivered on site. The lumber is built to the specs of the actual framing requirements per the structural engineer, so very little waste is created at the job site. The floor joists pictured here and wall framing are 2x6 installed 24” on center to both maximize strength and allow for insulation. That means the walls are 6” deep and the studs are 24” apart to maximize capacity for insulation. The location and size of windows is factored into the overall rating for the envelope as well. The result is an integrated system with a higher R-value for walls and attic, which help to significantly lower future utility expenses. <span style="color: black;"><u>Simply using advanced framing techniques can result in a 5% reduction in heating/cooling costs, lower materials costs and a labor savings of 3-5%.</u></span></div></div><span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So far, our home is still in the framing stage and the walls are being built at this time. Our builder, <a href="http://gaikirkegaardconstruction.com/">Gai Kirkegaard</a>, and Anthony Juarez-Lessing's framing team are doing a great job. They are wonderful guys and we enjoy watching them work. The roof trusses were delivered last week and should be put up this coming week. </div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="cssfloat: right; float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICm40m3sO4dtrcLfx43pb2Nf2GWrr4OZ_FwQ2Q8a9mh7JiJZPzTgamDJVVmMccsH8REffOsBomN9JQPKCqVidclst3Ma7a6PKGVrupQJuzXxuLa8tC45KcoRC0zKLdsQ7LMXaGGRypjvH/s1600/Kitchen+Window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICm40m3sO4dtrcLfx43pb2Nf2GWrr4OZ_FwQ2Q8a9mh7JiJZPzTgamDJVVmMccsH8REffOsBomN9JQPKCqVidclst3Ma7a6PKGVrupQJuzXxuLa8tC45KcoRC0zKLdsQ7LMXaGGRypjvH/s200/Kitchen+Window.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall and Window Framing</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Two of the next tasks are all about energy: insulation and rebates, both are at the heart of the project and are worthy of future blog posts. After all, this is a cool project in a cool area, but our focus is energy and expense reduction. It is exciting to see the house come together!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfaIUb7RU3OexM7drmabOzpydue_ZVX3sZkgf-o8zYOT3jKdIMesSVGOkqojk0K7yfcwEoY1xXUxluNjnA9ByXkHf2vi1oJQwyzT9kgkOpeImfx8VlTojyHyh1FDa0LiP2s0bYoN0qBdy/s1600/Truss+Delivery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfaIUb7RU3OexM7drmabOzpydue_ZVX3sZkgf-o8zYOT3jKdIMesSVGOkqojk0K7yfcwEoY1xXUxluNjnA9ByXkHf2vi1oJQwyzT9kgkOpeImfx8VlTojyHyh1FDa0LiP2s0bYoN0qBdy/s320/Truss+Delivery.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roof Truss Delivery</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-18834630105314998662011-02-13T20:40:00.000-08:002011-02-14T07:03:19.973-08:00New House Rising in Old Folsom<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIURAoDpTKfzdyzPiq2G-gkxbzLLsQStZ61YRp1ycrbO8ftfzzoQjG4jjBnWgiQBOs7mb8FEKb2jnJMY9AVLmL11aDEDgCw-Jy-hMiV2X62RqY8Ojuciz-b4RyIhfWowHDRZF12BCZnh1s/s1600/01+Advanced+Framing+%2526+tarp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIURAoDpTKfzdyzPiq2G-gkxbzLLsQStZ61YRp1ycrbO8ftfzzoQjG4jjBnWgiQBOs7mb8FEKb2jnJMY9AVLmL11aDEDgCw-Jy-hMiV2X62RqY8Ojuciz-b4RyIhfWowHDRZF12BCZnh1s/s200/01+Advanced+Framing+%2526+tarp.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Advance framing floor joists</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Hello and welcome to <b><i><span style="color: #333399;">Local Fruit Folsom!</span></i></b> </div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762"><br />
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Our construction project has benefited from three weeks of dry weather after the foundation was poured. We continue to enjoy watching the house rise from the foundation, and to see the walls take shape. This photo shows the advanced framing floor joists. The advanced framing method allows for lumber orders to be delivered very close to the correct size needed in order to minimize wasted wood and maximize strength. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY0qnZvwX_pXFALxt9cTq_tfNzL3u3EFXIdgsTjGEZxao8fPm0_sROiDycmDzH-F-NW6BMu6WhQYdA-xgr0CtypTVQOumUwmNq7A4Ol0ZMHBhLGCDYn10eSckWu5TU8A54tntlIjkEoe7/s200/CIMG0081.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762">Old Zoe watching the neighborhood</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The garage apartment is being framed, but without stairs it is difficult to get to the top. But the main house is easy to enter and we are pleased to walk the spaces. Even Zoe the dog seems quite content to go to the job site and just hang around, watching squirrels and birds. What is it about dogs and construction? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZ80mTgWVb8wlISqzBYab7KzpiCtDS6yH-jmD0kDll_8YxXXs44CsclR0rZMRfE-0-k8iymvhyHCD_khbn1CTQa9slPF71daedrrtdPhlHr3gPqCvFE7FHVkTi6bkjJFRcLI005tn_k_v/s200/IMGP1839.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762">Main house, fig tree, garage</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We are measuring the rough walls in each room to verify that the dimensions are right, and found that a bathroom is a few inches too narrow according to the plan. I may be reading the plans incorrectly because being short by five inches could eliminate the possibility of installing a future shower in the downstairs bath. One more question to ask our builder, <a href="http://gaikirkegaardconstruction.com/%20">Gai Kirkegaard Construction</a> and framer… we are grateful that these guys are patient with us as we are constantly thinking of questions. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We bought the claw foot bathtub on Friday. Although I feel guilty about buying an iron tub made in China, the fact that it has been sitting in inventory in Sacramento since before the recession eases my conscience. The builder has asked for the tub delivery to occur the same day and time the lumber crane is lifting roofing trusses. Of course the scheduling gets complicated as the crane date for delivering roof trusses is a moving target, and the tub delivery can only occur on certain days. If we can get both events to coincide it will be much easier for the crew. It is not every day that a heavy tub is lifted over trees to be placed in a closet!</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetavyavlsPKsr1fkDsaVgjuLPmhG2HyUdW8JGR9dV4bIUsNRTn3OiQndNo2SqNYde0s7Zs6HSAK8TDAEJbQqYrUZ-JS12GW909mKwzbqGmcZzBcqXdYeFSDlPY29cwaCxgwt8QfMwtwiA/s200/DSC00704.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garage - SE Corner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bZvNVUXXk1aOZvTUvf7XCOXHJeXBcJO90BZ_zXp8kT3L3khYL0aeEqpNByStycHKDWXNtSa4W3xYFzQ6CAhYwlXYA5w2DKPCzkGCj0ucemFxerCx6itymh3alSWpGEzaZL9hbn40RV6t/s200/DSC00705.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762">Garage - SW corner</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We also ordered the art glass inserts for the small fixed glass windows in the parlor and family room. <a href="http://www.othonart.com/%20">Othon Art</a> has a stained glass showroom in nearby Orangevale with a very impressive workshop. When the glass is ready, we will pick it up and take it to the window company to be incorporated into the frames. This was actually more fun than any product we’ve had to choose so far. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO0v0mgf2bQD3cfMO9DlbKj-iGnAcpnTWap-QnJTz-NU3FHmsXumP92FrBhenngkaOjJn6al4X4qLjwJdABYUDfrX7znZLeuOiF4ip1Q4gF1CcZk9t3W5YC6a-gq_8kTyXshHUb2aX27a/s320/DSC00702.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762">Worker coming through the crawl space access</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">In the past two weeks the first floor subfloor was built, the first floor exterior walls were framed and some of the first floor interior walls were framed. This week the stairs will be built, the second floor framing will begin and possibly the roofing trusses (and tub!) will arrive. However, the ten-day forecast calls for rain showers on six of the next ten days; we should expect a weather delay. After all, we are framing in January and that simply can not be accomplished in most of the country. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_862120762"><br />
</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Check in soon as the photos will show significant progress over the next 2-3 weeks. In addition, the energy calculations should be finalized in the next week or so. We are building this home to be as efficient as possible and it is exciting to see the energy engineers’ reports that quantify the results of our efforts in kilowatt hours and therms. This means we can estimate the energy spent heating and cooling our home, and also estimate the energy savings (which translates directly to $ savings) and the rebate incentives from the local utility companies. The energy nerd in me is excited to finalize the utility reports and the frugalista in me is eager to equate the projected energy usage to lower operating expenses. We are very eager to apply to <a href="http://www.pge.com/">PG&E</a> and <a href="http://www.smud.org/en/Pages/index.aspx">SMUD</a> for rebates. </div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-11294375335655116202011-01-21T20:21:00.000-08:002011-01-21T20:21:26.153-08:00A New Foundation in Old Folsom<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hello and welcome back to <em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Local Fruit</strong></span></em>!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxF4tWXpiKUitxqMG9GLdZWqIGcRduj0jbT54jb3Mu8qGgsbXta6Mj4_ECw2x5qaCUtUMsAbGGERqdqFuKo7vSpETJAP-Ao4GlY6lWJ-zbxDxnmPSQ6FY_bnsVS3BEs779nkwIR8CHcta/s1600/01+Concrete+Pour+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxF4tWXpiKUitxqMG9GLdZWqIGcRduj0jbT54jb3Mu8qGgsbXta6Mj4_ECw2x5qaCUtUMsAbGGERqdqFuKo7vSpETJAP-Ao4GlY6lWJ-zbxDxnmPSQ6FY_bnsVS3BEs779nkwIR8CHcta/s200/01+Concrete+Pour+1.jpg" width="200" /></a>The foundation was poured this week which is a huge milestone for our construction project. The foundation was framed over the course of a few days, the inspection was on Wednesday and on Thursday the pumper truck arrived to pour endless amounts of concrete into the extra deep framing trenches. The first cement mixer truck-the whole load-went into one garage foundation wall that was about six feet tall! Today, Friday, the garage floor was poured and trowled until smooth. It has been fascinating to watch the progress.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN67XnqSyaBq4U20UZXepyF_PegHy4qWmygRBwv_o4DIpzsGVrH9GX_LKkI6oR_s_E3W1WfwBsALkHvaVKEvoOHqs5Fur6-gzqv9LSz3n_r-paLYmJJ0LaF6MiWqA_7jluaxZ11wOGVkI/s1600/02+Foundation+poured.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN67XnqSyaBq4U20UZXepyF_PegHy4qWmygRBwv_o4DIpzsGVrH9GX_LKkI6oR_s_E3W1WfwBsALkHvaVKEvoOHqs5Fur6-gzqv9LSz3n_r-paLYmJJ0LaF6MiWqA_7jluaxZ11wOGVkI/s200/02+Foundation+poured.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yesterday started with the big burly concrete contractors greeting us with smiles. Dan, the man controlling the pumper truck, thanked us for building a house that put his crew to work. Umberto, the supervisor, also thanked us for creating work for his men. It was clear that the ten men working on our site during the pour were professional, friendly, and serious about their work. The youngest-looking guy told me he had fourteen years of experience. I was glad to be able to watch them work, and to see the pride they take in their work. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctodX3YH-UercH9oVbpU7zNGxyg57hUDzEBiCIDNNHK1JtaYC7b48zO82pkX5uL7STSuRsuQAqUOm-5Q_cBFhxe98JY-SK5Qkd3ykaEKHc6LGfGsul6X_BlX-tGgEF8lIJGfa3U0ha7h5/s1600/03+Foundation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctodX3YH-UercH9oVbpU7zNGxyg57hUDzEBiCIDNNHK1JtaYC7b48zO82pkX5uL7STSuRsuQAqUOm-5Q_cBFhxe98JY-SK5Qkd3ykaEKHc6LGfGsul6X_BlX-tGgEF8lIJGfa3U0ha7h5/s200/03+Foundation.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Although we planned to build this energy efficient home in the Historic District of Folsom before the recession, we felt committed enough to the project to continue even in times of economic uncertainty. The sincerity of the gratitude expressed by the work crew was both deeply touching and rewarding. With our wonderful contractor, Gai Kirkegaard, this home is off to a solid start!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV5xBRgEvHlit5wPvw98xWJEBhnv5HYoZUTQbfHFpcBmLHI0QRR3CJ_BFesaGSxVD4EgKNOgIwI42X4nH6wfCcDkOjFlExSTB2sm7MqMzQftVMEra1lUkFJjJq-3D60IeAcVywSpKX9rY/s1600/04+Trowling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV5xBRgEvHlit5wPvw98xWJEBhnv5HYoZUTQbfHFpcBmLHI0QRR3CJ_BFesaGSxVD4EgKNOgIwI42X4nH6wfCcDkOjFlExSTB2sm7MqMzQftVMEra1lUkFJjJq-3D60IeAcVywSpKX9rY/s200/04+Trowling.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi-wd5oWuWxUGJ3fQtV_JF5RCNIHJB2HxwgPzksS-1BZWazQIJldlHd_7vTfFEHOWjxnWGWFn3h-ZWXOc4Y1vW0WIIIAANkbZ1F3z0K4xIzfT_yTWNmyygzekVDSncmVoINnyua4A95S2/s1600/05+Garage+floor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi-wd5oWuWxUGJ3fQtV_JF5RCNIHJB2HxwgPzksS-1BZWazQIJldlHd_7vTfFEHOWjxnWGWFn3h-ZWXOc4Y1vW0WIIIAANkbZ1F3z0K4xIzfT_yTWNmyygzekVDSncmVoINnyua4A95S2/s200/05+Garage+floor.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-34170673714752543852011-01-12T21:21:00.000-08:002011-01-13T07:34:08.226-08:00Deep FoundationsHello and welcome back to <em><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Local Fruit!</span></strong></em><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUlEH99kFSe2zb6CV5PGXdU8NoSM8DJppuYT8Q_8xZ0F3ieSecDJFL9vRq6gQ85JvJBJeUrqpmewWSRifrIE6RArnETAgBJJq78BAZYwKsZH5mtuyTfxTSxpI_5LQmlZ8EgJ3AjD5OEbk/s1600/Frontage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 265px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 293px;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUlEH99kFSe2zb6CV5PGXdU8NoSM8DJppuYT8Q_8xZ0F3ieSecDJFL9vRq6gQ85JvJBJeUrqpmewWSRifrIE6RArnETAgBJJq78BAZYwKsZH5mtuyTfxTSxpI_5LQmlZ8EgJ3AjD5OEbk/s320/Frontage+2.jpg" width="320" /></a>After waiting for what seemed like eons for building permits and weeks for the rain to break, construction has finally begun on the house. If you are following our project you will want to check back often as the house will take shape quickly. Our super-builder, Gai Kirkegaard, has lined up the subcontractors and is chomping at the bit to get this house built and to get us out of his hair. I am the first to admit that I am very detail oriented which is good for a builder; clients like me are time consuming. It is kind of like the saying to be careful what you ask for… you might get a strong minded client who is still a challenge to please.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are thrilled with the initial feedback from the energy consultant who is performing the Title 24 calculations on the house. All buildings in California must meet or exceed the building code’s energy efficiency standards, known as Title 24. One of the main reasons we are building this home is to build as efficient a home as the budget allows. Our energy engineer uses a program called “Savings by Design” which generates reports on the efficiency of the building compared to Title 24. The initial rating for our home was 53.7% more efficient than Title 24 and the preliminary number <em>doesn’t even consider the solar photovoltaic</em> <em>system or tankless hot water heater. Wow!</em> 53.7% is far above where we thought we would come in and should allow us to achieve our goals to significantly reduce energy use over the next 20 years. It felt good to get good news after such a long wait to start construction.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeX-MbTfeFRpfOtY3h3OhnwsE2Sss0-z-msAYVwvzlnNW7RVWIy8Yjl5CWNqE_fHXhvh00o0W5v1Un4L5CVzOaFYDrMigacY4ZWgS7wwXeDxqxnDeyqOstpWsSvq1u_sohkRKYHiHyASh/s1600/IMGP1793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeX-MbTfeFRpfOtY3h3OhnwsE2Sss0-z-msAYVwvzlnNW7RVWIy8Yjl5CWNqE_fHXhvh00o0W5v1Un4L5CVzOaFYDrMigacY4ZWgS7wwXeDxqxnDeyqOstpWsSvq1u_sohkRKYHiHyASh/s320/IMGP1793.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today we received the not-so-good news that the soil is too soft for the foundation as designed. The soils engineer recommended the foundation trench be twice as deep as was originally designed (think twice as much concrete, twice as much cost). By following his recommendations we will end up with a foundation that is taller than planned, by about 18”. This is significant because of the slope of the lot. From the front of the house it will sit a little higher than we wanted, and the front porch may end up about 4 ½-5’ high. This is not what we planned from a design perspective, and is a hard increase to add to the budget. Yikes. </div><br />
So as pleased as we are about the energy profile of the home, we did not expect to have such a tall home in the quaint historic district. Landscaping will be critical to create a warm and inviting home, but that is still months away. In the mean time, we are happy to be under construction at last. I hope you come back soon for updates.<br />
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<a href="http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/">http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/</a><br />
<a href="http://gaikirkegaardconstruction.com/">http://gaikirkegaardconstruction.com/</a>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-28804286946938107142010-12-18T22:39:00.000-08:002010-12-19T10:38:20.656-08:00December brings permits and rainHello and welcome back to <em><strong><span style="color: blue;">Local Fruit</span></strong></em>. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our new house project has finally cleared the most frustrating hurdle which was obtaining permits from the City of Folsom. After three rounds of comments from City staff, plans being resubmitted with comments, and four long months waiting, we finally have permits! <em>Whoohoo!</em> Of course it is now mid-December and we are in the middle of the wettest rainy season in years. </div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Had the permits been available two months ago, we would have a foundation by now and maybe enough of a roof to allow work to proceed through the winter. Now the soil will be too saturated to safely allow the heavy equipment access to trench for the foundation and pour cement. I am not complaining, though, because waiting for weather is much more tolerable than waiting for the City to release permits. The City staff is trying to manage their workload in the face of budget cuts, reduced staffing levels and furlough days, all of which impact their ability to turn around projects in a timely manner. Even though I have been frustrated by the City, I am thankful to live in California where construction occurs year-round.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On the bright side, our builder (Gai Kirkegaard Construction) has done as much work as possible prior to obtaining permits: the utility trenches are complete, the temporary electricity is set up and the grading is mostly complete. He even installed an empty conduit for our internet cable utility before filling the last trench and the rains started. The subcontractors are lined up and the administrative tasks of completing contracts and getting their insurance are well underway. Although we can not physically proceed due to weather, work has been scheduled and materials are being ordered for our home.</div><br />
The forecast for the next ten days calls for rain, but that is okay. After all, Christmas is next week and I don’t expect much to happen during the holidays. I had hoped to hang a wreath on a house under construction and to take Wassail (a hot cider drink) to the workers this week; I will just make Wassail next month instead to take to the workers when they start digging and hammering in cold weather. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are pleased to have permits and to be ready to really get building in January. Meanwhile, it is Christmas in Folsom and we are a little cheerier than a week ago! We are healthy, our local high scho<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFePceKNYPGT3Ly4FusRMqhYgJB5qXsfksmOJUCj4z_SmmIF87LYU0XQ3cTcyVbAb7ToLbwNxP4cVDEaIAoTAe3SmMj9ckfbl4rh-8d-3ZZOUqZfWhWN2YpmMvBFCWEwXZh7_ochpNHQPc/s1600/baby+giraffe+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFePceKNYPGT3Ly4FusRMqhYgJB5qXsfksmOJUCj4z_SmmIF87LYU0XQ3cTcyVbAb7ToLbwNxP4cVDEaIAoTAe3SmMj9ckfbl4rh-8d-3ZZOUqZfWhWN2YpmMvBFCWEwXZh7_ochpNHQPc/s200/baby+giraffe+2.jpg" width="143" /></a>ol just won the state football championship, and we will see family in San Jose and at the Oakland Zoo next week. (My sister works with giraffes at the zoo, and we will go visit her at work. I do not have a family member living in the zoo that I am aware of at this time...)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thank you for following Local Fruit and I hope to show you more about our project in 2011.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Merry Christmas!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://gaikirkegaardconstruction.com/">http://gaikirkegaardconstruction.com/</a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.folsom.ca.us/about/default.asp">http://www.folsom.ca.us/about/default.asp</a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.oaklandzoo.org/">http://www.oaklandzoo.org/</a></div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-74328712809035324032010-12-02T07:30:00.000-08:002010-12-02T07:30:42.172-08:00Waiting for the PermitWe are still waiting for the permit...<br />
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Our project is in that anxious phase between submitting to the City and receiving a permit to build. This is a very frustrating phase because there is so little feedback to us as owners of the project. We submitted to the City in October, and hoped to have a permit in hand in November and be able to start construction. Our wonderful builder, Gai Kirkegaard, is as eager to proceed as we are; he is equally frustrated with the City of Folsom and the on-going challenges that are put before us. We really do want to build a house, and we really do want to pay a boatload of fees to the City. It is reasonable to think that the City staff would be supportive and receptive to our small project as we are putting people to work and generating much needed fee revenue for the City.<br />
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Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. This phase of a construction project is not supposed to take long, unless your project is in wholesome Folsom! Today is December 2, 2010; With any luck we will have a permit by Christmas and we will wait for the rains to subside so that the subcontractors can start our foundation. The pressure will be on to finish by 7/1 so we can move out of the rental an into our home.<br />
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<a href="http://gaikirkegaardconstruction.com/">http://gaikirkegaardconstruction.com/</a> Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-65947072614209677432010-10-30T22:10:00.000-07:002010-10-30T23:02:27.919-07:00Bath Tubs and Chinese GraniteHello and welcome back to <em><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Local Fruit</span></strong></em>.<br /><br />One of the fun things about designing and building or remodeling a home is choosing stuff. Every single item and surface requires decisions: what style, what materials to use and of course, what colors do we want in each room? These basic decisions are based on individual preference, budget, or sometimes future plans. In our project, the priorities are budget, energy efficiency, sustainability, and high indoor air quality – low VOC’s.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQihxPEStMP3X6IuiDhxR-qQmISEXVvTFKTa4fC6qBE3eZ9BaK2AV7ZIDZdtV28N0VyOn35VObROlD-hHSiETM7hg0amBBTf69hfJriKskpjE7o6whli0aGpPezVxhaNDLGggtBUOTb3b/s1600/tub.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 252px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534080928351363746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQihxPEStMP3X6IuiDhxR-qQmISEXVvTFKTa4fC6qBE3eZ9BaK2AV7ZIDZdtV28N0VyOn35VObROlD-hHSiETM7hg0amBBTf69hfJriKskpjE7o6whli0aGpPezVxhaNDLGggtBUOTb3b/s320/tub.jpg" /></a><br />One thing I really enjoy in the winter is a good hot bath. In the new house I planned a claw foot tub, and budgeted accordingly. We adjusted our fixture selections in other areas in order to afford a claw foot tub. After moving to Folsom many years ago, I fell in love with a store called <strong>Mac the Antique Plumber</strong> and have returned over the years to look at tubs, climb in a few, and plan the next tub. (I said I really like baths!) Recently when talking with a friend about tubs, she mentioned that she no longer wanted her old claw foot tub and that it was available in exchange for the cost of moving it downstairs.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mactheantiqueplumber.com/">Mac the Antique Plumber</a> both sells and refinishes tubs, so I compared the cost of moving and refinishing an older tub with the cost of a new tub of the same size. The new cast iron tubs are now made in China and shipped worldwide. I was amazed to learn that it would cost almost as much to follow my conscience and do the right thing for the environment-reuse an existing tub- as to buy a new tub. The total cost difference between the new tub and a refinished tub is only about $150, before sales tax.<br /><br />It is incredible that the refinishing cost (mostly labor) is about equal to the cost of a new Chinese tub including freight charges. On Craigslist I found a few tubs for sale that when purchased, moved and refinished would match the cost of a new tub. My friend decided to keep her tub, and now the hunt is on to find a local tub in good condition. Although I would prefer to buy American, or at least support local labor, I don’t know if we can justify paying more to do so. Globalization and offshore labor has a significant affect the economics of building our little home. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaw6sCp6G8SRLd_ehTmW-bs28EK8Y12Ai_vd1qXDpTRuRRxOQjieuoy5HwWEJ7D-3uV9fbVLxqj8-7_3ATe0npWQZRfPgu1jvGXxqe2a1p3KjidKVWRDieYY4-1jmJIjRERsftM4Qtt0FT/s1600/Seafoam+Green+1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 217px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534083069846617458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaw6sCp6G8SRLd_ehTmW-bs28EK8Y12Ai_vd1qXDpTRuRRxOQjieuoy5HwWEJ7D-3uV9fbVLxqj8-7_3ATe0npWQZRfPgu1jvGXxqe2a1p3KjidKVWRDieYY4-1jmJIjRERsftM4Qtt0FT/s320/Seafoam+Green+1.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My husband an<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_XKxELja5_G3cqbensOn60KaLGSPYGHPLeG1DvIuWOM6DiURZsZZlzureOW6wsVD39STf4yTDfjNLU9xcaHKUW_iWz_hW8H7wNRlDv22AiWhqkcOZUe1MotYcrZUi4vKWD4u6OUqVk95/s1600/kitchen+with+seafoam.jpg"></a>d I have also enjoyed looking at <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3dHV22AlXJXtfymLAezmNS27_Nq4nX4y9CSncw9vT52yohMf3xD8dq8YIkwwkLWTNGYli8UA20rnxHrgY5zQtZfJHVDPoyodptoCI-VOxYiyJWGlFbSnG2_viGrF72auga71cF7u3DZ5/s1600/kitchen+with+cosmos+granite.jpg"></a>solid surfaces for the kitchen. We both really like soapstone, but the cost is probably beyond our budget. We frequently visit stores and warehouses that have granite slabs and have fun looking at beautiful stone slabs in the warehouses. In researching granite and air quality, I learned that some of the granite sold in the US emits radon. I also learned that China is one of the world’s <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXlXEq_GdgE7PxWxGid_8fZy5naNa8sbFVHdVnno_yjk8w3WsHrqc7c07_uGHhvPq3ICm__xklkE0UfFrF036ReMZyGq_LzQTkKzE17pRBLdn3SZWDUpNi93wV6lIf0TpYtpc2r2gb79O/s1600/River+Bordeaux+5.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534083066383134210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXlXEq_GdgE7PxWxGid_8fZy5naNa8sbFVHdVnno_yjk8w3WsHrqc7c07_uGHhvPq3ICm__xklkE0UfFrF036ReMZyGq_LzQTkKzE17pRBLdn3SZWDUpNi93wV6lIf0TpYtpc2r2gb79O/s320/River+Bordeaux+5.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQI3bj5yioUF8OwpMAxzRMwQFoxcRmbVEG25l5V0Q9TdIOm0IjzAceWdzfFRcQP030ap05Crk9LLLphQ0Y6CELeg53DLONrLUDBUgQYTfk52ZcyhRWHe-3oUb_fNgN0osjYoY3-JCxyfy/s1600/Costa+Smerelda+2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534083064199023090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQI3bj5yioUF8OwpMAxzRMwQFoxcRmbVEG25l5V0Q9TdIOm0IjzAceWdzfFRcQP030ap05Crk9LLLphQ0Y6CELeg53DLONrLUDBUgQYTfk52ZcyhRWHe-3oUb_fNgN0osjYoY3-JCxyfy/s320/Costa+Smerelda+2.JPG" /></a>largest producers of granite slabs and has a rating system to classify the emissions from Granite. Many other nations rate granite emissions and control the uses of different granite as interior building materials.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.solidsurfacealliance.org/G-radioactivity-radon-issues.html">Solid Surface Alliance </a>website states: <blockquote>“Radiation will vary in different granite materials, so much so that the Chinese enacted radiation standards years ago and actually prohibit the export of the safer, lower radiation level granite. Think about that, <span style="color:#000099;">any Chinese granite imported into the United States or elsewhere is considered too dangerous to be put in a Chinese dwelling</span>. The health risks from granite radiation are small yet not as small as other health risks. For instance, the granite in the Thomas Jefferson building in Washington D.C., will give you an incremental cancer risk <span style="color:#000099;">50 times greater</span> than the Super Fund clean up trigger levels.”</blockquote>Food for thought? Absolutely. If a home has granite counter that emit radon, synthetic vinyl flooring and a gas range, the indoor air quality may be unhealthy; even more so if the home has an attached garage. On January 12, 2010 the <a href="http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/14186">California Building Standards Commission </a>unanimously adopted the Green Building Standards (CALGREEN) which will further reduce construction materials emissions and improve ventilation and filtration in all residential and commercial construction.<br /><br />We are trying to stick to our priorities of budget, durability, and air quality to guide us in this decision. I honestly have no idea where we will get a tub or what counter surfaces we will finally choose. The adventure of learning about this stuff is half the fun, and I am about to resume hunting for a tub. Do you know anyone with an extra iron tub?Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-30344778403988508722010-10-18T22:39:00.000-07:002010-10-18T23:48:23.850-07:00Fresh Dirt!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU7ocuHpDwAK8bMBtc_WuiCo-oTIfDLao8B30VCR_uWe0_ABHdiaSJmi2kinTV0gh-HllI0DVe03QQF01JAlNKoD4Gzrm4DHalZlpE0V5Pb8gRL_ZsEhy_doc9s8pgfwnSFp8pZjrnzBN/s1600/Man+in+trench.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 204px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529638854715597106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU7ocuHpDwAK8bMBtc_WuiCo-oTIfDLao8B30VCR_uWe0_ABHdiaSJmi2kinTV0gh-HllI0DVe03QQF01JAlNKoD4Gzrm4DHalZlpE0V5Pb8gRL_ZsEhy_doc9s8pgfwnSFp8pZjrnzBN/s400/Man+in+trench.JPG" /></a> Hello and welcome back to <em><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Local Fruit</span></strong></em>. I am happy to say that we finally have something to show that the project is moving forward at last. It has been almost three years since we bought the lot and began designing an energy efficient house in the Historic District. We submitted the design to the City and the Historic District Commission fourteen months ago and then submitted drawings for the plan check phase again in August. Once we moved into temporary quarters this summer we have been eagerly waiting to see tangible changes at the lot.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4E0kJVh9U9OmxYoyBvvYnmXaccYwrHvDsgkgMkLvWqKjPXYOQqiZppRJnjbHUOoYvn6MKmHl81RmIUdC-zHyt5XnboflUttbqJoKyTEzO9u5I923C6GozIIajFkzehi1xda2rg0FNDRY/s1600/sewer+patch.JPG"></a><br />So back to the week’s progress... the site work of grading and sewer is complete. Future site work include constructing utilities and retaining walls.<br /><br />A week ago several issues lay before us: locating the City sewer line and getting the grade correct on a narrow sloping lot. Well, last week the excavation company graded the lot and dug the sewer trench. After locating the City sewer main, they constructed our sewer connection, had it inspected, filled in the trench and patched the street. This seemed to happen quickly and with minimal disruption to the neighborhood traffic. The lesson here is that with something as important as a sewer line you want to have the ground work done right the first time. There is no second chance with a sewer line.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFVeIZhnSJY_N03wVLipS6EcYZgFvGYFh6O22AE8YyYe3GomiuQmuuAYblGZedW0Y-cVKsJmu5fZFnnyI3zXshrY6En2GvBMgUeRvfFk113o2dga27MVNGlNo-pkQ4hswVlrFmsQ4LHWd/s1600/10.10.06+fig+2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 179px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529637774248949506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFVeIZhnSJY_N03wVLipS6EcYZgFvGYFh6O22AE8YyYe3GomiuQmuuAYblGZedW0Y-cVKsJmu5fZFnnyI3zXshrY6En2GvBMgUeRvfFk113o2dga27MVNGlNo-pkQ4hswVlrFmsQ4LHWd/s400/10.10.06+fig+2.JPG" /></a><br />The grading has been a challenge because the lot slopes about 10’ from the southeast corner to the northwest corner. The garage pad is the high point, and right now the pad really dominates the parcel. We plan to reduce the excess pad and return the slope to almost the natural grade. I can’t imagine trying to navigate around the high pad as pictured with garden equipment or a green yard waste can.<br /><br />Another challenge has been getting two City-owned trees removed. Two years ago the City arborist spent time identifying the trees and informing me which City-owned trees were diseased and unsafe. In fact he said that that the City would remove two of the trees because they were a hazard to people and property; however, due to the budget crisis the City now has no staff to trim or remove trees. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcSIR514HPxy5v9xqosYncE8_qrVwtU3d5Zp3xl35BsK_umGoVIDpx7IebTekUCPBnMsaJRzP6jyeRsWuhd5QgSR0N2chU5-yV6UALnTd1K_LwKHBfQCJSrv8imWszEPrAin4HUXooV2h/s1600/Maple+Stump+2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529641371203936386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcSIR514HPxy5v9xqosYncE8_qrVwtU3d5Zp3xl35BsK_umGoVIDpx7IebTekUCPBnMsaJRzP6jyeRsWuhd5QgSR0N2chU5-yV6UALnTd1K_LwKHBfQCJSrv8imWszEPrAin4HUXooV2h/s320/Maple+Stump+2.JPG" /></a> <div></div><div></div><div>Instead the arborist expected us to remove the two City trees. This work was NOT in the budget! We agreed to remove the City’s trees because we did not want the risk of a diseased tree with a weak crotch dropping a limb and hurting someone. <em>(That phrase always makes me want to giggle- pants have weak crotches; trees should be strong!)</em> The photo shows the stump of the maple tree cut down today. I don’t even know how it survived this long with so much of the trunk missing.</div><br /><div><div><div><div><div>The past few months we have been doing fun stuff on Fridays, like picking o<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqCR8s2zNS1darPQApgClKkPNeIoBMKga5Edkpe1ljoI7X-XKxd-kE4sCrUqcCrX0VvOpoHVovMfttMZ1G4Hinmu5EgFQm4p1fR0VxfZNjRocH57FruNuOBS8CObh-oqskIpfr8XzYTeU/s1600/fun+boots.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 223px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529637768917019266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqCR8s2zNS1darPQApgClKkPNeIoBMKga5Edkpe1ljoI7X-XKxd-kE4sCrUqcCrX0VvOpoHVovMfttMZ1G4Hinmu5EgFQm4p1fR0VxfZNjRocH57FruNuOBS8CObh-oqskIpfr8XzYTeU/s400/fun+boots.png" /></a>ut flooring, cabinetry, and solid surfaces. We evaluated window bids (Anderson vs Milgard) and began to evaluate HVAC systems. We often take time to pull out the plastic yard chairs and sit on the future porch or in the future dining room…just looking at the future view. </div><div><br />We expect to break ground about the same time and the rainy season arrives. But I have cute new mud boots, and I am ready! </div></div></div></div></div></div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-61885390584740847882010-09-19T10:02:00.000-07:002010-09-19T10:24:29.760-07:00Fresh Dirt: Pre-Construction in Old Town<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbEGjXnWOZiSloghovwWNqQycdymE2957QHfhG-uBRQHALR-40SpDJrHFoG_gQAI2DzxDP-26BL6YOTYOSUsuRbhEej12N6Yt5bMJttGLYzBEG0TzHQTCsvO9tF3z4WicY54k2zHfAcbA/s1600/Lake-Natoma-Crossing000-01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbEGjXnWOZiSloghovwWNqQycdymE2957QHfhG-uBRQHALR-40SpDJrHFoG_gQAI2DzxDP-26BL6YOTYOSUsuRbhEej12N6Yt5bMJttGLYzBEG0TzHQTCsvO9tF3z4WicY54k2zHfAcbA/s320/Lake-Natoma-Crossing000-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518671914029690658" border="0" /></a>Welcome back to Local Fruit.<span style=""> </span>Those of you who know us understand that our family has been on the move this summer.<span style=""> </span>We sold our home in July and look forward to a change in lifestyle.<span style=""> </span>Having lived in Folsom for twenty-two years, we like the nearby <a href="http://www.historicfolsom.org/gallery.cfm">Historic District</a> and often just walk the neighborhood to enjoy the eclectic architecture and local color.<span style=""> </span>One of the great things about a historic district is the character of the area; another is the diversity of the people living in the area.<span style=""> </span>The Folsom Historic district is no exception. <p class="MsoNormal">In November 2007 we found one of the few vacant parcels in the Historic District.<span style=""> </span>The lot is narrow, only 50’ wide, which was the standard back in the 1850’s when land in the area was first being mapped and divided.<span style=""> </span>Because of the close proximity to the river, gold miners in the area created a settlement that eventually became the town of Folsom. <span style=""> </span>Our particular parcel was once agricultural and owned by Portuguese farmers who provided fruit to the young town. <span style=""> </span>It still has fig trees, persimmons, citrus, pecans, and walnuts.<span style=""> </span>Nearby are many olive trees and grapes that grow along the road.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Not only is the location of this parcel attractive due to the proximity to the river, restaurants, parks, city library, and light rail, but the soil itself is attractive to the gardener in me.<span style=""> </span>There is an orange tree on the lot that had been damaged and neglected by the previous owner.<span style=""> </span>I trimmed and cared for the tree for several years to bring it back.<span style=""> </span>The generous neighbors have helped me water the tree (there is no water to the lot), and now it has its first crop of fruit in the past three years.<span style=""> </span>Once on an early spring day, I was watering the tree and I noticed a sparkle in the soil.<span style=""> </span>After looking closer, I could see small flecks of minerals in the rich soil that sparkled in the late afternoon sunlight.<span style=""> </span>From that space standing by the tree, I could see the arches of the Bridge crossing <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.visitfolsom.com/river/">Lake Natoma</a> through the trees.<span style=""> </span>I thought I even saw the sparkle of water reflecting from under the bridge. How cool would it be to build a two-story home near the river parkway and actually be able to see the bridge and water?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So for the past two and a half years we have owned this narrow lot with the idea of building a home.<span style=""> </span>Using home design software, the home took shape on my computer and we located a builder who built an energy efficient (<a href="http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147">LEED</a> Platinum) home in the Folsom Historic District.<span style=""> </span>The builder is a really good guy, and he walks and talks efficient ratings; he also learned the idiosyncrasies of building in the Folsom Historic District.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPEYGUThpwmZlC9bT7C-tPmtqO2q6ecRMmSBw1NTRam-CcZAe8qlsvY_xZ8ovYYe9lZdIAKY2rgJqFbNEVsEQuYlrlr8tJiKWnxoX5a9Ki-W0F2gJX7Osim6a9hidTQxCWPjcAwSIije7/s1600/10.01.08+House+front.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPEYGUThpwmZlC9bT7C-tPmtqO2q6ecRMmSBw1NTRam-CcZAe8qlsvY_xZ8ovYYe9lZdIAKY2rgJqFbNEVsEQuYlrlr8tJiKWnxoX5a9Ki-W0F2gJX7Osim6a9hidTQxCWPjcAwSIije7/s320/10.01.08+House+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518676414587592530" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The main goal of this project was to create an energy efficient home that significantly reduces ongoing expenses while also doing our part to enhance environmental sustainability. <span style=""> </span>Other benefits include the lifestyle perks of being closer to the river and within walking distance of all that the community has to offer. <span style=""> </span>Both my husband and I are energy geeks; we want a home that is energy neutral.<span style=""> </span>The home design includes serious insulation, photovoltaic solar panels, and very efficient appliances.<span style=""> </span>The detached garage includes a granny flat that could generate enough income to pay for property taxes if we ever decided to rent it out. We have eliminated pool maintenance, landscaper service, and even the window cleaning service. Yes window cleaning; the old home had great views from three stories up and neither of us are too keen to do ladder work.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgG1XWWnXFe4jgCwJW3V7TxB-FP-6Dl50dd6ymdyi-UOQVrnEdbFseYEim7HTN1iy2uAm2oXOO86y6fD_Akvcjs3uNbwMwZWtDZoSG_swgTozkgjN8wkjotNyQ2c-fT5laOcBM40iR0F5W/s1600/Fig+tree+-+before+trim.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgG1XWWnXFe4jgCwJW3V7TxB-FP-6Dl50dd6ymdyi-UOQVrnEdbFseYEim7HTN1iy2uAm2oXOO86y6fD_Akvcjs3uNbwMwZWtDZoSG_swgTozkgjN8wkjotNyQ2c-fT5laOcBM40iR0F5W/s320/Fig+tree+-+before+trim.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518672194984283458" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">The project is finally on the verge of become a reality.<span style=""> </span>The orange tree will be fenced off this week to protect it during grading, as will a fig tree.<span style=""> </span>Yesterday I trimmed the fig in order to reduce its drip line in an attempt to save it during construction.<span style=""> </span>Several orchard trees (fig, persimmon and cypress) will come down to make way for our new home.<span style=""> </span>Although I feel guilty about taking down a few trees, I am eager to see dirt and plan the garden beds for next summer.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We may be about the only crazy people to actually start a new construction project in this economy. It may be self serving, but if we can stimulate our local economy and help put people to work, why not do so? Assuming we break ground in September, the house should be ready in April, in time to prepare for a summer garden.<span style=""> </span>Both building a home and the prospect of finally working the rich soil are exciting to me! <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I will be sharing our experiences and photos of the progress over the next year.<span style=""> </span>You may learn about green construction, energy, or the local color of our diverse and eclectic old town.</p>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-10506702121715214822010-08-16T23:15:00.000-07:002010-08-17T22:17:08.658-07:00Dont Spill the Juice! ElectricityWelcome back to <em><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Local Fruit</span></strong></em>. The past few weeks have been very busy as we moved from a large house to a rental in Folsom and finalized our plans to start a new project. This week’s blog is gives a foundation as to why we are the only cra<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tiKaGoFK190rPM6tsdunP5JKqC9mI_W05sIr8oLUfL54jkVFYgG3an7P6h7vGSay23-rZJdSTeuxQIvHJn4v5UWeCynjTP3d_c7G9hyphenhyphenvCIKDvcP6bt48tg4P600W_QLLp_fuc-YGoROD/s1600/Idea+house.png"></a>zy people we know starting a new construction project during a rotten economy. More about that exciting project later; this week I am writing about the main reason we made the move from a beautiful suburban home to a small rented home during construction.<br /><br />My wonderful husband, Rich, and I are committed to maintaining the balance between living well and living light: our main objective is to lower utility expenses while improving the quality of our home and hopefully reducing our toll on the environment in the process.<br /><br />Let me explain that I'm a bit of an energy geek and for years I charted our energy usage by the dollar, the kilowatt (electricity) and the therm (gas). Even with seasonal changes in electricity and natural gas, the chart made it easy to understand the effect on gas and electricity usage when common events occur such as a teenage daughter going away to college or replacing the washer/dryer with very efficient models. Charting the usage even makes paying the bill somehow easier because we were activly managing our usage. <em>A warning to nerds: charting utilities is often usually done by commercial property managers and can be addictive for homeowners :) .</em><br /><br /><div><div><div><p>Our electric utility is Sacramento Metropolitan Utility District (SMUD) and the bulk of their electricity comes from hydroelectric sources, meaning mountain snow pack runoff. In years of drought, we can expect up to 13% electricity inflation which makes it difficult to obtain any dollar savings. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_Dt-vfYCQIImgwK3nghS7mKS192YjsUG_OtLdyrcl8ET-QizcldUhxXT8E1Odanm45qZ0vmng-wA4jZ70XvN07_Rn8wZGBOZ0ytDyoD-mZp5eo1AaQOpRWUvNKOXl7BCPbwWq5In2Bc8/s1600/SCDam581.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 277px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506275611693586322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_Dt-vfYCQIImgwK3nghS7mKS192YjsUG_OtLdyrcl8ET-QizcldUhxXT8E1Odanm45qZ0vmng-wA4jZ70XvN07_Rn8wZGBOZ0ytDyoD-mZp5eo1AaQOpRWUvNKOXl7BCPbwWq5In2Bc8/s320/SCDam581.jpg" /></a>Our electric utility is better than most for three reasons:<br />1. SMUD is ranked 4th in renewable energy sales on US utilities<br />2. SMUD is a municipal utility, so they are not profit driven for the benefit of stockholders.<br />3. SMUD’s rates are significantly lower than PG&E's rates in nearby communities<br /><br />Our goal is to reduce electrical usage (kilowatt hours / day) and we were able to do so every year from 2006-2009. The point is that although you can reduce your energy usage and have a fairly good electric company, other events can and will affect your utility bills. Our region endured a record breaking heat wave in 2006 and drought from 2006-2010; both of which affected the electric company’s ability to produce and purchase electricity. In turn, the utility passed higher rates on to the ratepayers. Even though we were doing the right things to lower usage and we reduced our usage by 25%, our year-round efforts only saved us about $600/year.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVs0j3br9lIbYGELj2FS_-sCLgvRDMWQDFchTh-Agl1FlBOTMDBJruROs_cHmCKIoplVdVVzhFJo4nAw8bVMhc4XqorkhFn_sSBHwImvc_ZpnC3n693bRf8fi1gXL65DculdZqk8UtE40/s1600/Idea+house.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506610679635273298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVs0j3br9lIbYGELj2FS_-sCLgvRDMWQDFchTh-Agl1FlBOTMDBJruROs_cHmCKIoplVdVVzhFJo4nAw8bVMhc4XqorkhFn_sSBHwImvc_ZpnC3n693bRf8fi1gXL65DculdZqk8UtE40/s320/Idea+house.png" /></a> <p>So where do we go next? We sold our beautiful home and packed up the dog, moving to temproary quarters while we build a really cool home that is energy efficient, charming, and located in a desirable area. We submitted our plans to the City yesterday and paid the first in a series of killer fees. The good neighbors on the old historic street will endure our construction noise, dust and mess for 6-8 months; with good fortune we will be able to break ground in 4-5 weeks and finish construction in April. The image on the left is the idea house..cute yes?</p><p><strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">Local Fruit</span></em></strong> welcomes you to share our journey-the people, the triumphs, and frustrations, and of course the really cool things we are planning to include in the home if the budget allows. I am a geek about energy and can't wait to share the progress of this project.</p><p>There is a lot of information on the web about what you can do to lower your utility consumption, and plenty of info available about utility companies. For information on the top utilities offering renewable energy, go to <a href="http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2010/838.html">http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2010/838.html</a> . </p></div></div></div>Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7076002056806637602.post-51065213119676542772010-07-27T00:51:00.001-07:002010-07-28T20:29:35.908-07:00Local Fruit<blockquote></blockquote><br />Hello and welcome to<strong><em> <span style="color:#000099;">Local Fruit</span></em></strong>. I am new to the blogosphere, but plan to put up new info at least weekly. Although my blog is not about fruit, there will be fruit featured from time to time as I am a gardener and I promote local farms. Rather <strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">Local Fruit</span></em></strong> is about the benefits of planning, hard work and a healthy community.<br /><br />Our family is food centered. Almost everything in the family revolves around food. We appreciate eating out of the garden, and support a local farm to get a box of organic produce each week. The kids grew up with fresh lemons, tomatoes and plenty of herbs; now that they are in college they proudly send cell phone pictures of tomatoes, peppers and rosemary that they grow for their own kitchen. We care about what we eat, and try to be aware of where our food is grown. We eat what is in season, and try to avoid out of season imported produce. We live in Northern California, so we are blessed with an abundance of local fresh food year-round.<br /><br />After a few years of trying to eat healthy food, it was a natural and logical evolution of our consciousness to become aware of the impacts of our food choices. Partly because I had to defend spending a little more for organic or local produce, I became interested in how we can make small changes that add up to a measurable difference. I admit spending more on quality fruits and vegetables, but our family also spends less on meat and poultry than we did a few years ago. After all, it’s all about the food; with food and wine higher quality ingredients make for a better meal, and better meals make for a happier and healthier family.<br /><br />Another reason to name my blog <strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">Local Fruit</span></em></strong> is that the local community is a source of social connection which is vital to healthy living. When we moved to Folsom, CA many years ago, we fell in love with the historic district and the eclectic, charming homes in the oldest part of town. After about twenty years of liking the area, we realized that we would be happy retiring in Folsom and we started looking at homes. In fall of 2007, we found a small lot for sale in the historic district (originally created in 1855) and started planning how to design and build a very efficient home that would be appropriate for a 50’ wide parcel in a historic district. As the housing market crumbled, we are embarked on a journey to sell our beautiful home in suburbia and build a charming and environmentally friendly home in the colorful historic district of Folsom, near bike trails, water sports, and urban renewal and light rail.<br /><br />Given the history of the parcel-it was once part of a farm-the soil and trees were valuable to us. This small lot has fruit trees: an orange tree, three persimmon trees and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFzBYpYyV2yKCwvZ9uz9EJnC54z0wU6SHUuh-EnQT0biUSC2xm7nZmBnZ_MrPvcbPJ5k3bKp317CbfHQGjSI5fJEZELXi5TJwYSRkvVVTlCHIfLGfvjGW-Zmi8JHHoNls54MebJhjRNgi/s1600/IMGP1311+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498493803371812290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFzBYpYyV2yKCwvZ9uz9EJnC54z0wU6SHUuh-EnQT0biUSC2xm7nZmBnZ_MrPvcbPJ5k3bKp317CbfHQGjSI5fJEZELXi5TJwYSRkvVVTlCHIfLGfvjGW-Zmi8JHHoNls54MebJhjRNgi/s320/IMGP1311+(2).JPG" /></a>two fig trees. It also contains two young pecan trees and a mature walnut tree. In addition, there is a massive Italian Stone Pine tree along the street of the house next door. Italian Stone Pine trees are the source of pine nuts, the expensive ingredient in pesto and a staple in Italian cooking. The squirrels knock the cones to the ground, wait for cars to drive over the cones, then the squirrels raid the cones and feast on creamy pine nuts. I once sat outside with a hammer and worked hard for pine nuts (they were so sweet!) only to see squirrels use gravity and autos to accomplish the same thing.<br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#000099;">Local Fruit</span></em></strong> may from time to time refer to people, trees, gardening, rewards, and just plain good living. I hope to document our progress as we move forward on this journey to build our home, build a garden, and enjoy the community I have come to love. Forgive me if you happen to be a neighbor and I err on the facts; this blog is meant to share our journey with friends and family who are not able to be a part of the experience first hand.Stephanie and Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457443807350847302noreply@blogger.com2