The landscape site work is definitely an orchestrated process that has many phases to follow.  The images below give you a sense of where the site stands and we’ll continue to show the evolution.  The site work to date is outlined below:

1. Demolish the existing porch and awning
2. Excavate and form a retaining wall between the front and back house
3. Install a new electrical panel and meter box on the existing house and bury the overhead utilities
4. Layout and build formwork for concrete path and stairs that will connect from the City sidewalk to the new house
5. Plant Trees (14, Skyrocket Junipers).  The evergreen trees will grow to form a 20′ privacy wall between the front and back house

Existing Awning

Demo Existing Awning

Demo Existing Awning

Demo Existing Awning

Demo Existing Awning

Porch Without Awning

Demo Existing Porch

Demo Existing Porch

Demo Existing Porch

Excavate to Prep for Retaining Wall

Formwork for Retaining Wall

Pouring Concrete Foot for Retaining Wall

Concrete Footing

Prepping for Retaining Wall to be Poured on top of Footing

New Electrical Panel and Meter Box

Digging Trench to House Utilities

Utility Trench

Utility Trench

Formwork for Concrete Path

Formwork for Stairs

Formwork for Stairs

Formwork for Stairs

Formwork for Concrete Path

Formwork for Concrete Path

14 Skyrocket Junipers

Prepping to Plant Trees

Dug Holes

Planting Trees

Planted Trees

Planted Trees

The reward after months of interior framing and particularly the not so fun part of framing out ductwork, is drywall!  Now that drywall is up; there is a real sense of space that we have been longing to experience.

But before drywall went on the walls we did one final pass at sealing the building envelope which included foaming around windows, doors and ductwork.   The garage walls and ceiling were spray foamed to limit air exchange into the house.  Last, we used batt insulation between the first and second floors and again along the master bedroom wall to limit sound transfer between the spaces.

Once insulation was in, drywalling began.  Although it is not yet finished, we feel that this has been the biggest impact.  We opted for a level 5 finish which is the smoothest result. You’ll see the process in the photos below that begins with hanging drywall, taping and mudding the seams and finally using a big roller to mud the entire wall.  After each mudding, the walls are allowed to dry overnight and sanded the next day.  We are happy with the result so far and excited for paint.

Spray Foam Insulation – Garage Ceiling

Spray Foam Insulation – Garage/Mudroom Threshold

Spray Foam Insulation – Living Room

Sound Batt Insulation between 1st and 2nd Floors

Sound Batt Insulation between 1st and 2nd Floors

Sound Batt Insulation between 1st and 2nd Floors

Sound Batt Insulation – Master Bedroom/Laundry Room

Sound Batt Insulation 2nd Floor Hallway

Sound Batt Insulation – Master Bedroom

Sound Batt Insulation – Master Bathroom

First Floor – Step 1: Hang Drywall

First Floor – Step 2: Mud Seams and Tape Corners

First Floor – Step 3: Level 5 Finish

First Floor – Step 1: Hang Drywall

First Floor – Step 2: Mud Seams and Tape Corners

First Floor – Step 3: Level 5 Finish

First Floor – Step 1: Hang Drywall

First Floor – Step 3: Level 5 Finish

First Floor – Step 1: Hang Drywall

First Floor – Step 2: Mud Seams and Tape Corners

First Floor – Step 3: Level 5 Finish

Master Bedroom – Step 1: Hang Drywall

Master Bedroom – Step 2: Mud Seams and Tape Corners

Master Bedroom – Step 3: Level 5 Finish

Master Bedroom – Step 1: Hang Drywall

Master Bedroom – Step 2: Mud Seams and Tape Corners

Master Bedroom – Step 3: Level 5 Finish

Office – Step 1: Hang Drywall

Office – Step 2: Mud Seams and Tape Corners

Office – Step 3: Level 5 Finish

While Scott completed odds and ends of interior framing, to prep for insulation and drywall; the awning, metal roof and siding were getting installed. Scott and his step dad Jeff spent the weekend building the awning that will provide protection from the outdoor elements.  The awning will eventually be cladded in metal and wired for lighting and outdoor speakers.

Roof installation was delayed for months because the subcontractor was so busy (a sign of Denver’s booming construction).  This has made it difficult to stay on schedule and keep momentum going when contractors are so hard to track down.  Additionally, it leads to a ripple of delays because things like interior insulation and drywall are dependent on a completely dried in house.  Luckily we finally got the roofing contractor to site and now things are moving along faster than ever.

In just a week, the metal roof and siding went up.  We chose metal standing seam material because it is a superior product that will stand the test of time, and will allow easy installation of our thin film solar panels.  Our original design intent was to use flat panels on both the roof and facade (for a clean look) but upon recommendation from the contractor; we ended up incorporating striated siding.  Since the structured wall panels are not completely flat and uneven in places, the metal siding, if not rigid enough, will bow out or dimple over time.  We obviously did not want that to happen so we chose to incorporate striations to make the siding more rigid.  We kept the roof panels flat for two reasons: 1. The roof is flat so we don’t have to worry about imperfections in the metal over time, and, 2. We will be installing solar panels that will adhere to the flat faces of the roof panels.

Standing seam siding is installed on all north and south facades.  The metal material will hold up well over time as the hot southern sun beats down on it.  We will complete the exterior look with a cedar wood rain screen, installed on all west and east facades (stay tuned).

Measuring for post footings

Awning in progress

Awning

Family help

Awning structure

Awning structure almost done. Need one more steel post and will get cladded with metal standing seam.

Standing Seam Siding w/ridges.

Smooth Standing Seam Roof Panels

Standing Seam installation

North Facade. Awaiting HVAC systems.

South Facade

South Facade

South Facade

South Facade

South Facade

South Facade. Flat Panel Roof with Striated Siding