Building a stick frame house in the woods in 90 days

[mjncad]

I'm going to pick up a wifi thermostat to control the system. Looking at the 2nd generation Nest and others. I need to make sure it will work correctly with the variable speed blower in the air handler.

I have no idea how technophobic your Mom is; but I hope the Nest and other similar T-stats have simple manual overrides that make older people happy. You might look for a T-stat that is smart enough to know when to switch between heat and AC, so that your Mom doesn't have to fiddle with these "conveniences" any more than she has too. I doubt you'll need a humidifier in Virginia; but what about a dehumidifier for the heating season when the AC is not in use?

And here is a Halo unit specifically for LEDs that is airtight and relatively inexpensive:

Shop Halo 6-in New Construction Airtight IC LED Recessed Light Housing at Lowes.com

Isn't it amazing how the can itself can be relatively inexpensive; but the manufacturers get you with the various trim styles that can get beau-coup expensive.

 

[pwt]

Excellent information on this post. Really learning alot. Keep up teh good work.

 

[pclausen]

Venting fans into the soffits is very bad, assuming you have a normal vented roof construction (which I seem to recall you do). You are basically venting all that moisture right back into the soffit vents and back into the attic. They should vent through a wall on a rake end, through the roof, or far enough away from the soffit vents on the wall as to not be an issue (if it is a floor below, for example, that is not a problem). Through a soffit or right below vented soffits is the only "wrong" place to put them.

Thanks Dave. It will be easy enough to re-route the bath fans to the rake end wall. I'll be sure to mention this to the builder.

 

[pclausen]

Stanley,
It's hard to be sure about anything these days, but they probably will use hangers.
The nails we see so far are just air gun spikes that will rust away. There are heavy coated nails for deck framing that really hold up well.

I'll be sure to discuss this with a builder. I'm about 99% sure they will come back and use hangers everywhere.

I'm wondering what kind of foundation pedastals he is going to use under the permanent posts and who is going to dig the holes for the concrete up where the ground is close to the bottom of the framework with a hand digger. I've got an old one in the barn that has "his and hers" painted on the handles, and she does her share when we plant small ornamentals.

Probably the same guy that manually dug out the pit for the basement stairwell. I know in the areas where there is room, they will use a mini ex to dig down past the backfill. That is all scheduled for tomorrow (Monday), weather permitting. They will also be putting in the drain pipes for the downspouts around the house and do the final backfill tomorrow.

They will be using these concrete pedestals to set the posts on. They are maybe 10" diameter and 4" thick. They will dig down past the backfill everywhere (and below the front line in places where there is no backfill already). My guess is they will then put in 4" of gravel at the bottom, then set the pedestals on that, and then the posts. Not sure if they plan to then come back and pour concrete in back up to ground level.

 

[pclausen]

One other thing - make sure they seal the wiring where it penetrates the can light envelope. I have seen can installs where the electrician cut a 2" or so hole in the foam around the can exterior and just left it. Either a shot of spray foam or caulk will work.

Thanks. I'll be sure to check that on the cans already installed.

As to underside cabinet lighting, don't get too hung up on LEDs. Yes, they are fine but here is a comparison of efficiency for you:

Appreciate the comparison table! We'll explore all options.

 

[radioman]

One more from the things you don't want to hear Dept....

Venting fans into the soffits is very bad, assuming you have a normal vented roof construction (which I seem to recall you do). You are basically venting all that moisture right back into the soffit vents and back into the attic. They should vent through a wall on a rake end, through the roof, or far enough away from the soffit vents on the wall as to not be an issue (if it is a floor below, for example, that is not a problem). Through a soffit or right below vented soffits is the only "wrong" place to put them.

Looks like it's coming along good so far, and I have tried to keep my comments to a minimum on things like this, but I hate to see you set up for a long term problem with moisture in the attic.

dstig beat me here - you can not vent in soffit. warm, moist air likes to "rise over cold" it just going to comeback up in the roof and cause you issues like mold, etc. I know you stated you going to talk to builder, but it HAS to be done. Also I am surprised there are no single hangers on the deck, esp. on the outside. I know you said the ledger board is notched/resting on basement wall but it still needs to be bolted to house. I can't think of a single town that doesn't have this in their code. If the outside post sinks or uplifts , this prevents deck from falling away from house.

 

[pclausen]

I have no idea how technophobic your Mom is; but I hope the Nest and other similar T-stats have simple manual overrides that make older people happy. You might look for a T-stat that is smart enough to know when to switch between heat and AC, so that your Mom doesn't have to fiddle with these "conveniences" any more than she has too. I doubt you'll need a humidifier in Virginia; but what about a dehumidifier for the heating season when the AC is not in use?

I had a gen 1 Nest before I switched to the Trane communicating tstat with my new system, but it is very easy and intuitive to use, but I'll be able to control it from my house if there is ever an issue, that that I would need to being that her house is within walking distance of mine, lol. It does have the option of being set to automatically switch from hear to cool.

Mom does have a humidifier at the current house. I have never felt the need for one at my house, and she has never felt uncomfortable when visiting in the winter (that I'm aware of), but I'll be sure to discuss the option with her before the HVAC installation is finalized.

 

[pacerron]

I'm still not seeing the lip that the deck frame boards coming out from the wall are supposed to be sitting on, on the back of the house? For there to be a significant lip there the entire floor frame and back wall would have had to of been set back from the outer edge of the concrete or the plate on top of it. I don't see it in any of the pictures.
There is a small lip from the plate edge to the edge of the concrete before the flakeboard sheathing is put on but should be flush afterwards so the siding
won't bulge out at the bottom.

 

[sixdogs]

Excellent information on this post. Really learning alot. Keep up the good work.

I'll agree with that. What a great builder as well.

One note--back a few photos ago there is a shot of the bathroom ceiling fans installed. They look different than the one in my 12 year old house. Mine leak air in the winter or summer and are very annoying. Is the one in the photo more airtight than older styles or does it just look that way?

 

[pacerron]

I had a gen 1 Nest before I switched to the Trane communicating tstat with my new system, but it is very easy and intuitive to use, but I'll be able to control it from my house if there is ever an issue, that that I would need to being that her house is within walking distance of mine, lol. It does have the option of being set to automatically switch from hear to cool.

Mom does have a humidifier at the current house. I have never felt the need for one at my house, and she has never felt uncomfortable when visiting in the winter (that I'm aware of), but I'll be sure to discuss the option with her before the HVAC installation is finalized.

With all the R value and foam sealing you are going to have ( in theory ) are you putting a fresh air exchange unit on the HVAC?
Might get a little low on O2 and high on petro-chem fumes if you don't. Is the foam in the basement required to be covered with PB before occupancy?
Any foam sprayed above the sill plate between the floor joist is supposed to be covered with PB.
We have a thermostat on our Trane that goes from heat to cool automatically, I think 2-4 deg. differential and we do use it a couple times a year.
Since we have double hung windows with screens, and are old, we still prefer having open windows and getting fresh air through the house during the spring and autumn seasons and are outdoors except for sleeping most of the summer. We really enjoy our covered front porch, facing North, and open deck, facing south. We can always sit in the shade at some time of the day, that way.
Can't say the same for the tractor, even with a big canopy. Big scar on my cheek to prove it. I hate sunscreen but have learned the hard way to wear a wide brim straw hat. There's a bit of tractor talk, for ya.