As always it is a treat to peruse the beautiful wood that holds a piece on Montana history.  For this project we left with huge beams from the Old Bonner Mill site to enhance the now cathedral ceiling and tongue and groove for the flooring of the storage loft.   Below is a picture of Jesse working on one of the beams before it is placed inside.

And here is one of the beams in place!

Since creating extremely efficient housing is one of the main driving goals at Adapt Design+Build we are always looking for new products and building materials.  This house has a North/ South orientation including the ridge line.  We wanted to incorporate skylights into the house to give it a sense of space and increase the natural lighting.  With hot MT afternoons decided to keep the skylights on the East aspect of the roof.  Finding a skylight with a low enough U factor turned out to be a challenge.  The average U factor (U factor refers to insulating properties of a window  the lower the U factor the more insulating.)  for skylights in the U.S. is .44.  We were able to source skylights from a manufacturer in Germany that have a U rating of .14 many times lower and therefore more effective than the ones we could buy locally or even from the U.S.

Along the lines of energy efficiency.  When we took a cross section of the wall this is what we found….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Or maybe I should say lack of what we found.  There is no insulation in the walls!  Yikes!  We will be insulating the house using cellulose!  Stay tuned for more updates!

Adapt Design+Build just started a project on a charming house in Missoula, MT.   The house sits on a double lot surrounded by fruit trees and gardens.  We are not positive what year the house was built but during some deconstruction we found newspapers dating back to 1938 shoved in the walls.  Plans for this home include energy upgrades, new flooring, and open floor plan and new kitchen.  Lucas has been busy designing the interior of the house keeping with the original charm and fitting all the necessities into the home’s 450 sq. feet!

  Last week we had the DeCon crew from Home Resource out to demo the inside of the house.  Great job guys!  They were timely, neat and just plain awesome!  Stay tuned for updates as we transform this house into a dream.

(See the roof of the porch? Chances are high that there is little or more likely no insulation there.  That makes for a drafty attic or second floor which allows air to easily flow into the rest of the home.)

How do we answer these questions? And make sure we have homes that are properly sealed?  Keep these questions in mind as you are building a home:

Is your air barrier going to be easily penetrated? By nails, staples, well intentioned picture hangers?

If you look at the building plans, can you trace your finger around the air barrier without lifting it off the page?

What holes are you creating in your barrier and how do you fix them?  Ex. Electrical boxes, cam lights etc.

Are interior details such as soffits inside your air barrier?

And now….A great article from our friends at Green Building Advisor www.greenbuildingadvisor.com  that will help answer more of those nagging questions: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/questions-and-answers-about-air-barriers?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

Lucas sands the base for our chair!

The last 18 months has proved to be a conservative time for many people.  What we once looked at as disposable we are now seeing as precious.  Many feel fortunate to have a home and don’t foresee selling it in the immediate future.  There is still the question of equity and a home’s projected value.  In an equity market we believe that a new paradigm is taking shape.   A home’s worth now depends on its ability to perform without being a huge drain on resources.   When you make an energy investment along with quality aesthetic upgrades you are investing in a timeless feature that will not go out of style.  A home that consumes less energy and therefore is less expensive to maintain is a wise choice for the homeowner or a potential homeowner down the road.

A homes comfort is another positive outcome from an investment in energy efficiency. By upgrading the insulation and stopping unwanted air leakage it is possible for a home to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Energy upgrades also address air quality issues.   Every time we use appliances, let the dog in, use different cleaning or beauty products, cough or sneeze we are introducing pollutants into our home.  These pollutants, along with pollutants that come from your house such as off gassing of paints, carpets, furniture or mold and asbestos issues create an unhealthy atmosphere.   Introducing mechanical balanced ventilation into your home greatly improves air quality and general comfort in a home.  A house that is comfortable and healthy greatly increases equity through and pays back by using less energy (less money) and less health risks for the homes inhabitants.        

When making your next investment and adding to or using the equity in your home, consider the longevity of your upgrade.   Will it go out of style in 10 years?  Will it break?  Will you get tired of it?  Turning your remodel into a ‘energy remodel’ or one that includes energy upgrades will stand the test of time and only increase your equity.

MFCU Sustainability Fair

Adapt Design + Build was at the Missoula Federal Credit Union Sustainability Fair on March 23, 2010.  We shared ideas, philosophies and good conversation with many folks.  If you did not catch us at the Sustainability Fair, we are planning on attending The Sustainable Business Council’s Local Fest May 15, 2010 from 12:30-8pm at Caras Park.  You can visit their website at http://www.sustainablebusinesscouncil.org/buy-local/gardencitylocalfest.html.  It’s one of the first ‘Fests’ of the year after one of the first Farmer’s Markets.  Come out and have some fun….true to Missoula fests there will be music, beer, wine, vendors and kid activities…..What could be better?  And, you can pick up your very own Adapt coaster!

I walked out to my mailbox the other day in order to mail invitations that I had lovingly created for my daughters birthday party.   I had bought recycled paper at a local store and no animals were knowingly harmed in the process of this creation.  As I opened the box, I was struck with the thought….”It is going to take too  much oil to deliver all of these invitations.  But if I don’t support the USPS, will I be putting people out of work?”   Sometimes trying to act responsibly is a pain in the neck. 

Everyday we are faced with choices.  Sometimes we choose  just for convenience while other times we choose more responsibly.  The trick I have found is trying to create a balance and prioritize.  If I drive my daughter to school today, I’ll also be able to go grocery shopping during the same outing and probably save a little gas.   If I hang the towels up to air dry and throw them in for a fluff at the end  my dryer won’t be working overtime.  I’ll spend a little more on Organic food and sleep better knowing my family isn’t eating chemicals and hormones  and that we aren’t helping to pollute rivers and streams.  I ended up sending the invitations.  The Grandparents loved them.   

I recently came across an article in Dwell Magazine entitled, “At Home in the Zone.”  http://www.dwell.com/articles/at-home-in-the-zone.html  This article has some great tips for helping to make choices that are more sustainable.   As time goes by and industry starts creating more Earth friendly products the choices are less about convenience vs. responsibly but “I use bleach in my laundry because my mother used bleach in her laundry” vs. ” This new washing machine is so efficient that I don’t need bleach or a dryer.”   Our choices are becoming more convenient and responsible.  So think about your choices and then ask yourself, “What shade of green I’m I going to be today?”