KUN Build Week_24
Build Week 24: Sealing the Envelope
Part of making a house more energy efficient is to seal it up nice and tight.
Week of February 18 - Days 44 & 45
We aren't building just any standard home, but one that is energy efficient and performs well. One key factor to make that happen is, while constructing, to make sure that every place that air could leak gets sealed up nice and tight. This week we did that by taping the seams of our sheathing, fire-rated layer, wrapping the window openings, and adhering the foam/tape layer we placed on the concrete slab under each panel. Before installing the windows, the sill and framed jambs will additionally be taped for 100% watertightness. We will also air-seal all gaps and cracks with an elastic mastic, to ensure zero air leakage at the frames.
Once the seams were all taped up, it was time to wrap the walls in Tyvek. This layer will keep the moisture out of the building. We are grateful that the weather has dried up lately and our building was able to dry out before we put this layer on. We were able to get it on just in time before another storm is due to hit this weekend. Instead of using just staples to fasten the Tyvek, we were given special staple guns from our Sierra Pacific Window supporters, which install a small, green plastic disk underneath the actual staple, to better distribute the staple pressure and avoid the membrane to rip open. This is one of the typical measures left out in cheap construction, even though the cost for the disks is minimal, and the expensive Tyvek stays secured in place even during stormy weather.
We now have a roofer in place to come and apply our membrane next week Tuesday. Once the roof membrane and parapets are in place, we can install our windows, which will finish sealing up our building envelope to the elements. After getting the Mini Split system with its small ductwork installed, we can pass the framing inspection and then we'll be ready for interior work to get under way with hopes to have this project wrapped up by Spring!