photos: the radiant heat tubing pre-concrete; laser leveling; ankle-deep in concrete.
I know I haven't posted lately - but the house building process has been a little dull. First our builder went on vacation for almost two weeks. Then he did a lot of necessary but non-photogenic stuff. Stuff like more gravel to level the floors, styrofoam insulation, plumbing pipes and electrical conduit, and the tubes for the radiant floor heating system. Finally - they poured the floor.
Like the walls, the floors are one of the "big" green elements of the house. On the passive solar side, they provide additional thermal mass. On the active solar side, a couple of solar panels will heat the water that will flow through the tubes. This, plus our efficient fireplace, will heat the house.
As a bonus, I think polished concrete is beautiful. And practically indestructible! Roller skates, dog claws, puppy pee (a side note, we all fell in love with 4-week old boxer puppies. No, I didn't give in. Our rental house has fussy wood floors and white carpet) -- whatever the kids and pets bring it can handle.
When we stopped by last night, there were lots of stacks of wood and other material around. Soon our white styrofoam house on the hill will evolve. We have a lot of decisions to make now. Metal roof vs. shingle, stain color for the meranti plywood panels that will cover much of the house, appliances for the kitchen - these are all on the list for decision by Monday or Tuesday.
The kids and I have continued exploring the area. If there is a wildlife center, forestry exhibit, or nature center within 50 miles that we've missed -- it's pretty well hidden. Both kids went to camp at the Arboretum - a fantastic 400+ acre facility with miles of trails, a bevy of young outdoor experts and enthusiasts, and beautiful gardens full of bugs, birds, snakes and lizards. Dexter can now identify most local snakes and lizards by name, and a handful of birds by sight and song. And we've all become fond of the jewelweed, or "touch-me-not" plant, a lovely wildflower with exploding seed pods and the magic ability to ease the itch of poison ivy. We've also explored many swimming options -- to answer all my California friends questions about why we aren't building a pool. Why build a pool when you can swim under a waterfall, slide on a water-powered rock formation, or tube down a river?
25 days till school. Can you believe it?
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