On Monday in preparation of the slab being poured, rigid insulation was installed in the interior of the foundation. On top of the rigid a steel mesh grid was laid down to strengthen the concrete and have something to tie the radiant tubing to. After the pressure test inspection on the tubing is signed off, we can pour the slab. We are scheduled to pour the slab early next week.
The sheetrock crew is able to get the entire cabin hung in a day. By next Monday we will be painting and ready for the home stretch of finishes, including tile, cabinetry, trim etc. The sheetrock is comprised of recycled content and it is nice to be able to incorporate it into our homes. The good thing is all you have to do is request it, it is typically the same cost. The ceiling in these pics shows an R-38, formaldehyde free high density bat. This ceiling will have a rough-sawn plywood paneling installed as the finish. Hence the lack of sheetrock.
Sheetrock was literally on the coat tails of the insulation crew so barely had time to snap one picture of the cellulose. Cellulose is a material used as loose-fill insulation, it's made from recycled wood fiber, mostly newsprint. The wood fiber is shredded and pulverized into small, fibrous particles that pack tightly into the stud cavities of the exterior walls, inhibiting airflow for enhanced insulation values. After rough in of electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems, the framed walls have a netting stapled to the studs, and afterwards the cellulose is blown in. It can't escape and fills these cavities very tightly. This combined with the sprayed in Polyurethane is a very efficient system.
Here are some pictures of the first layer of insulation on this home. It is a sprayed-in polyurethane foam insulation, that molds itself to every nook and cranny in the wall cavities, increasing the R Value by R-7 per inch and sealing the home from drafts for a superior building envelope. Basically, you wont be wasting heat because it cant escape like on traditional bat insulation applications. Below are some pictures of this process including a picture of an interior partition wall abutting an exterior wall with Poly foam. On Monday the same insulation company will be applying the second and final layer of insulation in the walls, which will be blown-in cellulose for a combined R Value of around 26. Code is 21. So with enhanced insulation the home owner can rest assured the radiant heat produced will be well utilized in the most efficient manner. The floors and ceilings will be a Green bat insulation also with an enhanced R Value of R-38, also above code for the floor. I will post pictures of the blown-in cellulose on Monday.
As you may know, Method teamed up with Skylab Architecture out of Portland OR to develop the long awaited Urban Series. After months of R & D, we have come to the conclusion that what Skylab has created is far more than just an "urban series" and the project has taken on a life of its own. As of today, we are finalizing a few items prior to launch. This project has been almost a year in the making and we can't wait to share it. Please stay tuned.Please visit Skylab at www.skylabarchitecture.com
Method Homes and Balance Associates are pleased to announce the official launch of the Balance S-M-L Series. The series consists of three simple structures designed to arrive 95% complete within 3 months of purchase, priced from $98,000 to $148,000. The three models vary in size and orientation (from 540 to 856 square feet) and can be utilized on or off the grid as cabins, guest houses, studios, offices, accessory dwelling units or even a small house. Smart, efficient, and well designed, the series highlights Balance’s experience in custom detailing and its natural modern aesthetic. The US Green Building Council LEED for Homes ratings will be pursued for all three models.
The SML Series features: Aluminum clad fir windows, high efficiency insulation options, pre-wiring for solar and solar hot water, standing seam metal roofs, rain screen siding applications, sustainable kitchen cabinets, energy efficient and economical mechanical options, low flow fixtures, energy star lighting packages, and the ability to be located on or off the grid. Base models can be upgraded to medium and high finish options, allowing buyers various finish levels based on budget.According to Balance Principal Tom Lenchek,
“The concept behind the S-M-L Series is to provide a series of small, smartly designed, prefabricated spaces that make it quick and affordable to create a personal retreat without sacrificing style. Intended as a modern refuge, they create a strong connection between interior and exterior spaces through the use of decks and large glazing sections and the use of sustainable and low maintenance materials and products throughout.”
There are currently several M models scheduled for summer 2009 construction and installation. We will be documenting this process via our blog , so stay tuned or let us know when you would like to order yours!Click here to see floor plans and pricing and feel free to contact us with any questions.Let us take this time to remind you of our customer info survey to our website which will aid us in answering questions you may have about obtaining pricing and other information you may need about Method Homes.
ed: this announcement has been updated -hereWe are excited to introduce the Balance SML Series. A line of three small homes ranging from 500 to 800 sq. ft. These highly efficient prefab homes, with small footprints to boot, range in uses from guest cottages, ADU's, cabins, artist studios or small permanent residences. Or we can creatively combine Small Medium or Large for additional space and options.The SML Series has been designed to be 95% complete upon arrival to your site, for a "plug and play" application. These homes will feature many of our standard green features along with some of Balance's special specifications, still to come.Check back with us soon for specs and pricing. For now, let us know what you think and don't hesitate to contact us with questions. Click here to view specifics and download pdfs with floor plans.
Method Homes is pleased to announce our new partnership with Portland, Oregon based Skylab Architecture. Skylab will be designing our new Urban Series for urban infill typologies. We have chosen to work with Skylab because they share our vision in bringing excellent design to the people, while adhering to Method's strict sustainable guidelines. Skylab's aesthetic speaks for itself. Please check them out at www.skylabarchitecture.com.The Urban Series is now in schematic design and should be ready for release in the beginning of 2009. We are very excited to add this series of design prefab homes to our available models. Please check back in with us for updates on the Method/Skylab Urban Series.
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