Front Yard Stormwater System
Way back in June we installed the first of two large underground stormwater retention systems, underneath the driveway. We had to hold off installing the second system in the front yard until the construction trailer was removed and we were [...]
Kitchen Countertops
Recently I accompanied our designer down to the stone fabricator to sign off on the final layouts for our kitchen countertops. Our fabricator, New View Marble and Granite in Franklin, MA, had been up earlier in the week to prepare [...]
Documenting our work
As part of the goal to “future-proof” this home, we’re working with a local construction documentation firm, Multivista, to prepare a full set of in-wall, exterior, and site photos for future reference. After mechanical rough-in but before the walls [...]
Certifications
As work continues, this seems like an opportune time to discuss some of the certifications we are seeking for this home and describe what they encompass. Certifications are voluntary – our only requirement is to meet the building codes in effect [...]
Interior Finish Starts!
Now that drywall, plaster, and priming are complete, the crew is busy installing cabinets, tile, trim, and doors. There’s something going on in every part of the house! Our cabinet manufacturer, Herrick & White, delivered the upper mudroom and [...]
Landscaping
As the inside of the project moves along, outside it is a race to finish up our landscaping before winter. Our landscape architect, Sudbury Design Group, and the landscape contractor, Moniz Landscaping, have designed and executed a beautiful plan for [...]
Duct sealing
Our HVAC installer, Boucher Energy Systems, was out Friday to commence duct sealing. The Energy Star rating system specifies a maximum permissible amount of duct leakage from our ventilation ducts. Even though the entire duct system is located within the [...]
Getting Plastered…
As soon as the insulation contractor finished with the interior acoustic insulation (actually, even before), our drywall and plaster contractors were on the site to keep things moving. Being ever mindful of our goal of a low-VOC house, our contractor [...]
Our Own Solar System
We hit a big milestone today - we went off the grid and starting producing our own electric power! Our 14.7 kW array will provide a substantial amount of the home’s energy during most of the year. Our solar installer, [...]
