tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26302930455604188962024-02-18T22:32:18.605-08:00Life Under a Blue RoofLiving in grace-filled moments...simply and sustainably.Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-79756111268994350232014-02-18T17:40:00.002-08:002014-02-18T17:40:23.669-08:00Bare Bones Under a Blue Roof<div>
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For a billion reasons, I've pared the blog down to the posts that document our strawbale construction, cistern tanks, and strawbale chicken coop.</div>
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We're always happy to talk with others about our experience building. Please feel free to email at any time, and to stop by if you're in the area.</div>
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-Shayne</div>
Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-65778523632410876902011-12-06T17:18:00.000-08:002011-12-06T17:20:05.386-08:00Through the Ceiling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Exciting stuff happening around here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As of Saturday morning, we approached going through the second story with the chimney pipe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Which meant a hole needed to be cut from the attic above.</div><br />
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Eventually this stainless pipe needs to be finished off on the outside with brick or stone for aesthetic reasons. (We chose stone.) However, you can't mortar stone to a stainless pipe and have it turn out well. (At least we can't.) Todd's brainstorm was to put terracotta chimney liners around the pipe, an easier surface to cover with stone.<br />
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The only thing was, the pipe was already in place inside one liner, which meant three liners had to be dropped into place from above. We don't have any pictures of that adventure. It required three people, two ladders, and a length of climbing webbing. Todd was in the attic; my father and I were down under the hole. <br />
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The webbing was my idea. <br />
It made me nervous to have my husband hand these down through the hole in the second-story ceiling, because each liner weighs about eight million pounds. (Todd's estimate is 60-70 pounds apiece.) <br />
So I asked him to thread a length of webbing down around the bottom of each liner so he could lower each one down. That would slow its progress as it descended towards my head. <br />
He acquiesced, and I felt a bit safer while we worked. <br />
My dad was the one to bear most of the weight as each liner came down. <br />
I was there to handle a tiny bit of weight and say very helpful things.<br />
Half an hour and three tiles later, we were done.<br />
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Stone, stone, and more stone.<br />
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I had to include this last picture, even though it's not great. It's just so rare for anyone to take a picture of me. So when Todd said, "Hold that there. Do you want me to take a picture of you so it looks like you were helping?"<br />
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I said, "Absolutely! Thanks!!!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUa2phohA3V5QI73JQNTJ4_2Dd4yRwOxuQinpR6V38v9t5Egk3Rr7_9xj3wjiTGJ9w1lIZpDvtI8BPi8HXP5bjoQsHuPshId3ytNwk8tAgcelwS_MLyyheqwQXsYjUYO59e2wxE4caRU9/s1600/DSCN3157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUa2phohA3V5QI73JQNTJ4_2Dd4yRwOxuQinpR6V38v9t5Egk3Rr7_9xj3wjiTGJ9w1lIZpDvtI8BPi8HXP5bjoQsHuPshId3ytNwk8tAgcelwS_MLyyheqwQXsYjUYO59e2wxE4caRU9/s640/DSCN3157.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-58522319499818939362011-11-21T18:42:00.000-08:002011-11-21T18:42:41.469-08:00The Next Right Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He comes home from work. In the few minutes we have before dinner is on the table, he's out there with the stone and the saw, making <i>just. one. more. cut.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His determination is what has seen us through on so many projects. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He simply never gives up.</div><br />
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Tonight, that means the top stone on the left side and the piece at the top left of the oven door.<br />
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In a much bigger sense, it's what holds us together.<br />
Steady, unchanging, dependable.<br />
Doing the next right thing. Every time.<br />
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#5...two part-time jobs that I love, neither of which require me to work on Monday<br />
#6...the pleasure of getting to know a new friend<br />
#7...wild turkey grazing through the woods<br />
#8...a child eager to study and work on projects<br />
#9...Micah's still-small boy frame leaning on mine to watch Veggie TalesShaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-41767295715616926622011-11-19T19:11:00.000-08:002011-11-19T19:11:31.443-08:00And yet more stone!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two more pictures, to show what Todd accomplished in the afternoon:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlnUQyQNh6iS-Op_URmcsxLzs3irkpOUtPJla8dSI-TRJMwJYrHjvQy1IPjsfAn-LeOS-g5yXK-4v2zeG-6JzMDt5vMjgKsXRUs_VOcA3k3P_ggGkoQyzORvtyd9r0g0NjQnCi39XO7CR/s1600/DSCN3034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlnUQyQNh6iS-Op_URmcsxLzs3irkpOUtPJla8dSI-TRJMwJYrHjvQy1IPjsfAn-LeOS-g5yXK-4v2zeG-6JzMDt5vMjgKsXRUs_VOcA3k3P_ggGkoQyzORvtyd9r0g0NjQnCi39XO7CR/s640/DSCN3034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXdcMTP2nStp_kwDSqhV7Y0dnP79YR_RJI1qtVa5OyGQEGIpA5C9jSDGQ8Kmv-VXEewG_f3DLVW9_BA83dkYTRmRR7TS1FIA3QubWBf7MzsdbszqsVFaAik2-7fpWX_bQkGE47KEYGwFQ/s1600/DSCN3033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXdcMTP2nStp_kwDSqhV7Y0dnP79YR_RJI1qtVa5OyGQEGIpA5C9jSDGQ8Kmv-VXEewG_f3DLVW9_BA83dkYTRmRR7TS1FIA3QubWBf7MzsdbszqsVFaAik2-7fpWX_bQkGE47KEYGwFQ/s640/DSCN3033.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-6231647813440118062011-11-19T09:21:00.000-08:002011-11-19T11:35:44.610-08:00Set in Stone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have Todd's brother, Tim, to thank for the outer stone for our fireplace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few years back, Tim replaced a stone walkway with poured concrete. He and Todd loaded up the giant pathway stones with the intent of using them as the outer stone layer on our masonry heater. (It was another one of those times when I was glad I was the girl, and no one would expect me to try and lift any of those monstrous pieces.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The yellow rope is just a temporary safeguard, should the mortar decide to let go while drying. (I'm not actually sure it would have any chance of holding the stone in place should it decide to let go, but it makes us feel better.)</div><br />
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We've been surprised how relatively easy these stones are to cut. <br />
I've said it before, but it bears repeating: it amazes me that Todd is able to visually plan all of this and have it turn out just the way it needs to. It's a good thing that it's not my job.<br />
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We're getting closer and closer to that first fire. It's time to start learning how to use the stone oven. I can smell the pizza baking already!Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-78377568873877261452011-11-05T18:17:00.000-07:002016-02-19T11:39:07.955-08:00Wirlwhind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My wonderful husband let me sleep in this morning while he got up with earlybird Micah. </div>
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After breakfast, the real fun started.</div>
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We went through the ceiling today with the fireplace!</div>
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(And by "we", of course, I mean Todd. He did the hard work. I vacuumed up a little dust, uploaded pictures to the computer, and struggled through a maze of information online to choose a new cell phone plan.)</div>
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Micah was right there (in his Batman jammies) to hold the shop-vac hose and suck up little bits of drywall dust.<br />
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An oddly-placed bench in the upstairs hall, to keep small children from falling into the chimney flue tile.</div>
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I can feel the heat from the fireplace already. Not too much longer!Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-73770136405381279882011-10-17T05:15:00.000-07:002011-10-17T05:15:26.676-07:00The Heat is On!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, not really. Our house is staying a comfortable 67 degrees, even with recent cooler days. No need to turn the heat on yet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With winter weather approaching Todd has been spending every spare moment on the fireplace. But true to form, he's not so busy that he can't take a few moments to let Micah help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBe47De3iuI-_vrdhW2F4__vbi0JklChLbPN-yA5h3ekU6az-qTmxcruovjFMGtAEaIkkZnBJM_ZvWCPnBuxlGtPT9sQk-20EPyvlE2wFjDcStidCUscViK9NYxeTvD0a4wNiFiYZs6I_K/s1600/DSCN2716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBe47De3iuI-_vrdhW2F4__vbi0JklChLbPN-yA5h3ekU6az-qTmxcruovjFMGtAEaIkkZnBJM_ZvWCPnBuxlGtPT9sQk-20EPyvlE2wFjDcStidCUscViK9NYxeTvD0a4wNiFiYZs6I_K/s640/DSCN2716.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We're so close! The interior masonry is done. Todd has put a felt-like layer between the yellow fire brick and the outer red brick to allow for thermal expansion and contraction. Once he brings the common red brick all the way up, it will be time to haul the stone in for the outermost layer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ibsqsOf3esZXbT8ujP0RsHtxeKSR07NQC_kWMmhWOBK2KJcaYHYD-ERTm4MeE-iTgtNzVy2QwWOrstSC3umE8Sj7gxOOcLeOjpZHUvuPqedSn-Qgjw6lnOsi1LRGEqe46pCZ7wkne3mT/s1600/DSCN2736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ibsqsOf3esZXbT8ujP0RsHtxeKSR07NQC_kWMmhWOBK2KJcaYHYD-ERTm4MeE-iTgtNzVy2QwWOrstSC3umE8Sj7gxOOcLeOjpZHUvuPqedSn-Qgjw6lnOsi1LRGEqe46pCZ7wkne3mT/s640/DSCN2736.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>One of the things I admire so much is Todd's ability to read written instructions and turn them into something tangible. It is a true gift---one that that will pay off in dividends of heat this winter!Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-30036775576492442011-07-03T18:58:00.000-07:002011-07-03T18:58:36.360-07:00Our Finnish Fireplace...that will soon be finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For a few months, Todd has been quite busy with the beginnings of our masonry heater. (If you remember, we have heated our home for two winters with radiant floor heat fueled by propane.) That is actually our backup system; it has always been our intent to construct a wood-fueled heater in the center of our home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you visited <a href="http://www.lutherlyn.com/what_we_do/environmental_education/terra_dei.html">Terra Dei</a> at <a href="http://www.lutherlyn.com/welcome.html">Lutherlyn</a>, you'll remember the masonry heater constructed between the living and bedroom spaces. Haven's new heater will be based on the same Finnish Fireplace design, described by Albie Barden of <a href="http://mainewoodheat.com/">Maine Wood Heat</a> in his construction manual from 1984.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Masonry Heater" src="http://cdn.firespring.com/images/cc26d613-0cb2-4c37-b58f-6d10935f8189.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Terra Dei living space circa 1998, featuring our beautiful masonry heater.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So...why a masonry heater? Why not a plain old "woodburner"?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you picture a typical woodburning stove or traditional fireplace/chimney, you build your fire in the firebox. It burns---giving off some heat to the room---but quite a bit of the energy goes straight up the chimney and is lost. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the design history section of his book, Albie describes the Finnish contraflow design that was invented in 1850 by a Swedish engineer by the name of Wimanin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the risk of oversimplifying, here's the gist of the design: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. You build the fire in the firebox and close the doors. The fire burns in the main chamber. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Instead of going straight up and out the chimney, the superheated gas travels through a maze-like tunnel built out of firebrick inside the heater. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. The firebrick absorbs the heat and radiates it outward over the next 12-24 hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Todd and I lived at Terra Dei, that translated into two fires a day---one before leaving for work, one upon return---to heat our entire home. You're talking about an incredibly efficient system, which saves precious resources and translates into huge cost savings for the homeowner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll share our final cost once we've completed construction. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(If you have technical questions, leave them in a comment. I'll have Todd address any details.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime, here we go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcS5oz7aLQMpuV1oF9cO4GpbW8O1enL7ZuXXkdOKy5f9RlT3AsSabn2-zZJxAg6oS3MXEdaSz_qcj5u7WwOhwFjZGM8Vsr4MC92AqJod8WHRbVaAegcidh_IT7OiNo1vqNp83VjLPjp_c/s1600/DSCN1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcS5oz7aLQMpuV1oF9cO4GpbW8O1enL7ZuXXkdOKy5f9RlT3AsSabn2-zZJxAg6oS3MXEdaSz_qcj5u7WwOhwFjZGM8Vsr4MC92AqJod8WHRbVaAegcidh_IT7OiNo1vqNp83VjLPjp_c/s640/DSCN1743.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(Lutherlyn friends---this heater base is comprised of block salvaged at camp. I have remnants of Cabin 19 and the old Dining Hall in my basement!) So far, our cost has been minimal---about $18 for a chimney cleanout door and another $20 for mortar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Remember where we had the craft table? (Right above the purple tempera splotch on the floor!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Once you lift up the concrete board, we had many pieces of plywood and subfloor.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPWs102QL3nVIW-fazzJ4EtmX-nQN9PZyzhvBCN9vC7gNpW2ik-9GfapM0wPEUi3m7df4fjvPS5PH6pfpQ_ILz7I1Eq1fUcSZRU8lGqpytZpe4UUW8gxLOe6DnPp365OYEKAJxQlnK4H8/s1600/DSCN1662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPWs102QL3nVIW-fazzJ4EtmX-nQN9PZyzhvBCN9vC7gNpW2ik-9GfapM0wPEUi3m7df4fjvPS5PH6pfpQ_ILz7I1Eq1fUcSZRU8lGqpytZpe4UUW8gxLOe6DnPp365OYEKAJxQlnK4H8/s640/DSCN1662.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Juli and Micah were both excited about revealing the hole in the floor, so they were anxious to help Daddy with his tools.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaabNcrRT7VjI1eha7dlqpTRqozv6DukEMxiPEnRDd9I_zSGbS-zpHVqWBeYvLSCsywZiQ106CDFB2sz6N8TmdyEL-2fGd0Pq4GTvp-NykxsOCu5_g59SdmPIDsS9gRZ89_rRtSuPsSa63/s1600/DSCN1721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaabNcrRT7VjI1eha7dlqpTRqozv6DukEMxiPEnRDd9I_zSGbS-zpHVqWBeYvLSCsywZiQ106CDFB2sz6N8TmdyEL-2fGd0Pq4GTvp-NykxsOCu5_g59SdmPIDsS9gRZ89_rRtSuPsSa63/s640/DSCN1721.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
And at my request, Todd kid-proofed the hole in the floor to keep kids safe during this point in construction.<br />
(Note, the cat did disappear beneath the floor for a few minutes the other night. Lucky for all of us, she decided to resurface quickly.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6871MM_KSCKeqkVWxPUlWyl9M0JRQBw0lPi1_Z4hVpmRsXjJ3pciCLkBdMBFazF2dHJidSITLB5U7WJtYA9C06ZQnVEUsDCymLLHRFlsaFeUlWo15zhKrapCUD7BfKyVW4MvxSJOSfZEk/s1600/DSCN1722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6871MM_KSCKeqkVWxPUlWyl9M0JRQBw0lPi1_Z4hVpmRsXjJ3pciCLkBdMBFazF2dHJidSITLB5U7WJtYA9C06ZQnVEUsDCymLLHRFlsaFeUlWo15zhKrapCUD7BfKyVW4MvxSJOSfZEk/s640/DSCN1722.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
To be continued!Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-33884508789249134442010-12-07T04:32:00.000-08:002010-12-07T04:32:33.695-08:00Where does all our water go?I found a nifty site today, called All About Toilets. Charming, huh? I wish I could cut and paste their chart. They have a great graph of <a href="http://www.toiletabcs.com/toilet-water-conservation.html">Daily Residential Indoor Water Use</a> (which I would retitle, "Where does all our water go?") According to their statistics, in homes that do not conserve water, <strong>26.7% of the water used goes to flushing the toilet</strong>. That's <strong>91 gallons a day</strong> for the average American household.<br />
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So let's just start there. Because some of you will be surprised by the feature of our home that I'm choosing to share about today, and maybe that statistic will help you understand our choice a little bit better.<br />
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A visitor to the bathroom in our home is quick to notice unfamiliar territory: that of the composting toilet. Look carefully. See, no handle to flush?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc2yY-3ew_nM6va628LB5dfEYwu1Imek4O5A6L4nRQMyiiuKYULo5ljtE6sRojDFd91cTd-nzMK2a9AxNCu-lyKXTCNOS5d_JPmYYX-L5w_szLP7qqeNX1IlWH0Izua9C3Yxp73Vk-j82/s1600/toilet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc2yY-3ew_nM6va628LB5dfEYwu1Imek4O5A6L4nRQMyiiuKYULo5ljtE6sRojDFd91cTd-nzMK2a9AxNCu-lyKXTCNOS5d_JPmYYX-L5w_szLP7qqeNX1IlWH0Izua9C3Yxp73Vk-j82/s640/toilet.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
Our unit is manufactured by Clivus Multrum, a leader in the composting toilet industry for over fifty years. Their toilets have been used in parks, commercial buildings and homes. </div><br />
But <em>what is</em> a composting toilet?<br />
It's exactly what it sounds like. It's a compost pile for people waste that is given the right conditions (temperature, moisture, time, etc.) to allow the material to break down fairly rapidly. <br />
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The composter tank itself is the holding tank in the basement. Two chutes (one from the first floor bathroom, one from the second) channel bathroom waste into the tank. We add wood shavings; an automatic sprayer adds the right amount of water; air is constantly pulled through with a fan. Bacteria and beneficial organisms convert the "organic material" into a much smaller volume of compost. Aerobic decomposition at its finest. It's a simple process.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37MEEOTEt6qwcOMGZQxnH-4QY29XNNyIJX5Pl0Tt5cnstn59XuxhKJIWIod3hnhRbBzWiiIdYKyYl9Y1taLB6dWBO2hrTLWnrYJAVRdEE87XGdODp_5ouTEjzkOHN680KXLNyBik-9Y_g/s1600/DSCN9108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37MEEOTEt6qwcOMGZQxnH-4QY29XNNyIJX5Pl0Tt5cnstn59XuxhKJIWIod3hnhRbBzWiiIdYKyYl9Y1taLB6dWBO2hrTLWnrYJAVRdEE87XGdODp_5ouTEjzkOHN680KXLNyBik-9Y_g/s640/DSCN9108.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Please excuse the plywood. We're in the middle of a project.)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJzvkZ-HibHIJg0988x6KbJF6h7G6PhHQcA8IKX5T16wrPsrMRzIef1CkkbUqbtiySZkXPRbGqBuNKTP4B0DMTaXKj-SrFLqlFxIpWrBK5itQltay5f1a4M2s-0lWU_iXgU_81jVVZxLV/s1600/DSCN9109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJzvkZ-HibHIJg0988x6KbJF6h7G6PhHQcA8IKX5T16wrPsrMRzIef1CkkbUqbtiySZkXPRbGqBuNKTP4B0DMTaXKj-SrFLqlFxIpWrBK5itQltay5f1a4M2s-0lWU_iXgU_81jVVZxLV/s640/DSCN9109.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo from the front of the tank. The black square door is the access port to the compost pile.)</span></div><br />
There are three common questions we get about our system:<br />
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<strong>Does it smell?</strong> <br />
Hard to imagine that it doesn't, isn't it? But it doesn't! Remember---you only get a smell of decay from anaerobic decomposition, when something is stagnant and not exposed to air. On this unit, there is a fan pulling air through the chamber 24-hours a day. That constant motion of air keeps things breaking down aerobically and there is no buildup of odor. Phew!<br />
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<strong>How often do you end up emptying the tank?</strong><br />
I can't truly answer that for this specific tank, because it's been a year and a half, and we're nowhere ready to empty it. When Fred and I had a smaller model composting toilet at Terra Dei, we emptied it out after a few years. Know how much compost came out? Less than two buckets.<br />
<br />
<strong>What do you do with the compost?</strong><br />
Fair question. I know some people are cringing in front of their screens, thinking, "I'm never eating anything from her organic garden again!" Relax... <br />
---First, I would never put compost of this nature on any food-related plant. It's just a mental turnoff. (However, just for sharing's sake, the Center for Biology of Natural Systems at Washington University in St. Louis carried out extensive tests on Clivus systems and end products. The bacteria found in the end product are the same that you find if you go dig a shovelful of dirt outside your house.)<br />
---Second, we have a contract in place for a waste management company to come remove the compost from the chamber every few years. This was required by our sewage enforcement agency when they agreed to approve our application.<br />
<br />
We realize that not everyone will be able to embrace the idea of the composting toilet. What if you happen to fall into that category, but still care about the environment and want to reduce the amount of water you flush down the toilet?<br />
<br />
Thanks to the writers at the National Wildlife Federation, here are some tips for saving water in your home:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"You can save water wherever you live. If the owners of a typical 10-year-old home installed water-efficient toilets, dishwashers and clothes washers, they could save 18,700 gallons yearly, the U.S. Department of Energy says. Also, every month a family of four can save the following amounts by: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fixing leaky faucets and <strong>toilets that flush themselves</strong>: 500 gallons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Running your washing machine only when it is full: up to 2,400 gallons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Keeping your shower under 5 minutes: up to 1,000 gallons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Installing low-volume toilets</strong>: about 480 gallons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Installing a low-flow showerhead: more than 2,000 gallons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Turning off water while brushing teeth: 800 gallons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Ensuring that your toilet flapper isn’t sticking when flushing</strong>: 900 gallons or more</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Turning off the water while you shave: more than 400 gallons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Total saved monthly: more than 8,500 gallons"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Source: www.nwf.org)</span><br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting!<br />
Grace<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Resources:<br />
Clivus Multrum Incorporated<br />
15 Union Street<br />
Lawrence, MA 01840<br />
800-425-4887<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(As always, you may assume that I was not compensated in any way, shape or form for writing this post. I am thrilled with our installed system, and just wanted to pass information along. Thanks!)</span>Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-83306718070506910882010-12-06T11:33:00.000-08:002010-12-06T11:33:51.038-08:00Cisterns: Pros & Cons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0coRMeLXPzi1JFVA3yDuFH_Tyej_ABADA4iXAwnSrgIBR8vfPqeaH-q1VEAi3yxDInzDE6bxrOQAGFMO8wQeU4KO_TpUugMqrBNvcoJZrkE1sTEsrT62FUNEl472fvzO1RGSSA-aBq0YL/s1600/DSCN9083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0coRMeLXPzi1JFVA3yDuFH_Tyej_ABADA4iXAwnSrgIBR8vfPqeaH-q1VEAi3yxDInzDE6bxrOQAGFMO8wQeU4KO_TpUugMqrBNvcoJZrkE1sTEsrT62FUNEl472fvzO1RGSSA-aBq0YL/s400/DSCN9083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Illustration of the hydrologic cycle by Tre` Arenz, taken from <em>Rainwater Collection For the Mechanically Challenged</em>.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Very few things in life are 100% positive, cisterns included. Way back when I first started writing about our homestead, I vowed to be upfront with the good, the bad & the ugly. Here's what Fred and I have compiled: the pros and cons of catching your rainwater in a cistern.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * * </div><br />
<strong>Pros:</strong><br />
<strong>1. Independence from public water supply.</strong> <br />
We are 100% on our own, which means that we control what's added---or not added---to our water. When you turn on a faucet in our home, you are not greeted with the smell of chlorinated water.<br />
<br />
<strong>2. Cost</strong><br />
After installation (which is comparable to drilling a well), monthly cost to filter the water is minimal.<br />
<br />
<strong>3. Ability to avoid polluted groundwater.</strong><br />
This one is big for me. Pennsylvania is currently going through the growing pains with drilling and fracking our Marcellus Shale layer. There isn't much legislation in place to govern the drilling companies and mandate responsibility to the citizens of our state regarding the cleanliness of our drinking water. And while contamination from fracking fluids isn't terribly common, groundwater is a tricky thing to keep track of, impossible to control. I'm able to avoid having to wonder if my water is contaminated, simply because my water doesn't come from the ground.<br />
<br />
<strong>4. Soft water</strong><br />
In terms of hardness/softness, rainwater is on the softer side. In addition, we're able to avoid common well problems such as iron or sulfur.<br />
<br />
<strong>5. Access</strong><br />
I have access to water, even if the power were to be out for quite a bit of time. Even if I needed to collect it by hand from the tank and boil it on the stove in an emergency situation, I would still have access to water. (As an aside, since we have a waterless toilet, we can still use our bathroom even if the power is out.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Cons:</strong><br />
<strong>1. Cost</strong><br />
Initial cost, depending where you live and what pieces of the system you need to purchase, can be the same as the cost for drilling a well. In our case, we spent $7,675.00.<br />
<br />
<strong>2. Responsibility</strong><br />
No two ways about it, you need to be responsible individual if you want to harvest rain as your only supply of water. Each job is small, but needs to be done if the system is to run properly. Filters need to be changed monthly. Gutters must be cleaned out, so excess gunk doesn't try to wash into the tanks. pH needs to be monitored. The roof washer must be emptied out in preparation for the next rainstorm. You need to keep the weather forecast in mind---if it looks like the weekend holds the largest storm for the fall, you had better be at home to open and close the roof washer, to catch every precious drop of water. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * * </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>There you have it---the ups and downs as we see it. As with everything, there was a bit of a learning curve, but we are very pleased with our rainwater collection system. Our cisterns have been a fantastic investment in a system that will work well for many years to come. Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-10327643771269095132010-12-03T19:42:00.000-08:002010-12-04T03:42:52.934-08:00What's it going to cost me?Boy, that could be the title for so many posts! I wanted to do a short post on the cost of our cistern setup. Because let's face it---either you find catching your water appealing or not. And if you do, one of your first questions needs to be, "What would it cost for me to set up a water catchment system?"<br />
<br />
Keep in mind, these numbers are from two years ago. The number one rule in construction is that prices are constantly on the rise.<br />
<br />
Four fiberglass tanks, 1,500 gallons each---$5,700.00 ($838.00 of this was freight charges.)<br />
Roof Washer---$875.00<br />
Pump---$600.00<br />
Filters/UV light---$500.00<br />
<br />
So starting from scratch, our system cost $7,675.00. Yes, that's a lot of money. You have to factor in that at the time of construction, we were comparing the cost of a cistern to the <em>cost of drilling a new well</em>. A few of you have mentioned having stone cisterns on your property. Your investment cost would be a lot less, considering that you don't have to buy storage tanks.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
Coming on Sunday: Costs vs. Benefits of Catching Your Water in a Cistern<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting!<br />
GraceShaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-27182814273998292102010-12-02T11:43:00.000-08:002010-12-02T11:49:27.926-08:00SplurgeOkay---yesterday I left with the promise that I would share our "water splurge". Ready?<br />
<br />
During construction, Fred and I put a Jacuzzi in our bedroom.<br />
<br />
I know! Totally inconsistent with the "good-for-the-environment" side of me. Doesn't really fit with the "saving water by using a composting toilet", except maybe that it helps me justify having it. ;)<br />
<br />
Here's the thing: I believe in splurging from time to time. Before Fred and I had children, we had an overnight getaway each winter. Sometimes it coincided with cross country skiing. More often than not, it involved a nice hotel room, complete with a whirlpool bath.<br />
<br />
When we were looking to build our home there were many areas where we cut costs, but we decided to allow ourselves one splurge item. Different people choose to splurge on different things in life---travel, cars, appliances, computers, etc. Our splurge was to purchase a Jacuzzi.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjOKkNN4NsHFEYzReVPuzR9WM1nyGHsI8zl8z05EDo3KDUAbqwGp5yl7v_XKevl0Y5O9zHztsLcBEbSdv02jffVvvG_dXT3YKZLvPsWgFSVaremi505thJBoZZ4cEUErcaFLQm3TZsePz/s1600/DSCN9098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjOKkNN4NsHFEYzReVPuzR9WM1nyGHsI8zl8z05EDo3KDUAbqwGp5yl7v_XKevl0Y5O9zHztsLcBEbSdv02jffVvvG_dXT3YKZLvPsWgFSVaremi505thJBoZZ4cEUErcaFLQm3TZsePz/s400/DSCN9098.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This nook of our room is still under construction. At some point, the concrete board in the picture will be tiled. We have the tile. Now we just need the time! Another note: just because you want to splurge on an item doesn't mean you need to pay full price. We only paid 1/2 the retail cost by purchasing the Jacuzzi at our local Builder's Surplus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because we depend on a cistern system for water, we are judicious about our water use. Jacuzzi use is somewhat seasonal, more readily available in the spring and falling-into-winter months. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's why you won't ever catch me complaining about rain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Water is a blessing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Grace</div>Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-1515877114828925672010-12-01T19:27:00.000-08:002010-12-01T19:27:19.887-08:00Water, water everywhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mZxayLgxbs_EFsVJyqqoUelHij2-S9xn2cFzvMi2HrmV1k91ZUuznrPiukV1zZrvScW5UDbSX5F2-WEplrmt_Ti1Nz2xvdzOkC2vwdmF1T7KUPugmFJJ_SXihyphenhyphenCAcsg-txjDW7GcxXOH/s1600/DSCN9097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mZxayLgxbs_EFsVJyqqoUelHij2-S9xn2cFzvMi2HrmV1k91ZUuznrPiukV1zZrvScW5UDbSX5F2-WEplrmt_Ti1Nz2xvdzOkC2vwdmF1T7KUPugmFJJ_SXihyphenhyphenCAcsg-txjDW7GcxXOH/s400/DSCN9097.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It's absolutely ironic that I opened my mailbox to see the title story of On Earth, <em>"Running Dry: From Lima to Los Angeles, the survival of great cities around the world depends on sources of water that are dwindling at an alarming rate."</em><br />
<br />
Ironic, because for two days, we have had nothing but rain. Until it began snowing. You get the idea---lots of precipitation!<br />
<br />
Water is among our most basic needs as humans. From the earliest cultures who toted water from a nearby river or stream---to today, where many in our country rely on the convenience of a faucet and a public water supply, water is the one resource we simply cannot do without.<br />
<br />
When Fred and I were in the planning stages for Haven, we played around with many ideas for reducing our daily impact on the environment. One idea that stuck was the idea of using a cistern, a way to <strong>catch the water from our roof and store it for future use.</strong> We had seen cisterns during our trip to Bermuda, where catching your rainwater is the norm, but we knew nothing about the logistics---or legal issues---surrounding cisterns. (Here in Pennsylvania, no one cares if you harvest your rainwater. In some western states, where water is a very precious commodity, laws have been on the books for the past hundred years addressing water rights and prohibiting rainwater harvesting.)<br />
<br />
Our biggest hurdle was learning about the ins and outs of rainwater collection. What type of roof would we need? How much water would we need to store? Where would we store the water? And in what? How would we treat the water for safety?<br />
<br />
Most of our answers came in the form of wisdom from Suzy Banks and Richard Heinichen, from their book titled <em>Rainwater Collection For the Mechanically Challenged</em>. That was us!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMDUt6Lg6lhcodE0DYB-7hyphenhyphenbGTohjRQcWw6nP7XgL5EU6quvbu_NmHEoOaGhWq0JAm0hcWXz6hyphenhyphenM4M7Q5nbkdgkYhhayUj8ak2iNwPVdyKRw4S7rc_ympFcXbF9v3ZWJlKDOxtBE6sKvM/s1600/DSCN9081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMDUt6Lg6lhcodE0DYB-7hyphenhyphenbGTohjRQcWw6nP7XgL5EU6quvbu_NmHEoOaGhWq0JAm0hcWXz6hyphenhyphenM4M7Q5nbkdgkYhhayUj8ak2iNwPVdyKRw4S7rc_ympFcXbF9v3ZWJlKDOxtBE6sKvM/s400/DSCN9081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Suzy and Richard's book walked us through building our system from start to finish. They explain how to plan for storing an adequate amount of water and help you decide which type of tank to install. Suggestions are offered for the site (location) of your collection tanks, and overviews are given for different pumps and filtering systems. <br />
<br />
<strong>How does our cistern actually work?</strong><br />
When it begins to rain at a conventional home the water is collected into gutters, travels through the downspout, and is funneled <em>away</em> from the foundation of the home. Here at Haven, it is the opposite. Our water collects into gutters, travels through the downspout, and is funneled into holding tanks in our basement.<br />
<br />
At the start of a rain shower, the water is funneled first into a tank called the roof washer. (Any pollen, caterpillar poop, etc, gets washed in there too.) This gets all the crud off the roof before we begin to catch the water we'll be drinking. Once the roof washer is filled, the water begins to collect in the four tanks. Each tank holds a maximum of 1,500 gallons, where it is stored until we need water somewhere in the house. (After the rain is over, the roof washer is drained by turning a valve, making it ready for the next shower.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWCPpS57E0j2L8ycWr3D9XfE6Ks5wxpz4vBXRIO2aT8kdonWmzXFgyou7CJpEbTR9Pq6Z54PS5keMgrWOa8PBLtFhPbM9MLVtq2eZQi1u4YnNMWFhHGRAwg21TF3s65TjUWz-u3p1YDua/s1600/DSCN9086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWCPpS57E0j2L8ycWr3D9XfE6Ks5wxpz4vBXRIO2aT8kdonWmzXFgyou7CJpEbTR9Pq6Z54PS5keMgrWOa8PBLtFhPbM9MLVtq2eZQi1u4YnNMWFhHGRAwg21TF3s65TjUWz-u3p1YDua/s400/DSCN9086.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Roof Washer)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>When we turn on a faucet, the pump kicks on and starts pulling water from the tanks. First, the water is drawn through a cotton filter to eliminate any particulates. Next, it is pulled through a carbon filter for taste. Last, it passes through a UV filter, where bacteria and viruses are killed instantly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbk1i7nYX2g18HXF1Zh3a_k60V-2R0XzX2-1Of6VVKKK1ewlck8pSEW5k3FEq8oNU4tlbtErjIY10OJNhpqtwzylA6_gQfBOPT-iNHwpKNF72Jvu0yI5tzgQ3qRcfRHqyHVhSzwZBJFiC/s1600/watersystem.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbk1i7nYX2g18HXF1Zh3a_k60V-2R0XzX2-1Of6VVKKK1ewlck8pSEW5k3FEq8oNU4tlbtErjIY10OJNhpqtwzylA6_gQfBOPT-iNHwpKNF72Jvu0yI5tzgQ3qRcfRHqyHVhSzwZBJFiC/s400/watersystem.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Filter/UV light battery)</div><br />
<strong><u>Quick Answers to Big Questions:</u></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>What kind of roofing material works best for collecting rainwater?</strong><br />
Hands-down, a metal roof is your best bet if you're collecting drinking water. If you collect off asphalt shingles, you need to filter out small particles that break down as your roof ages. If you have real wood shingles on your roof, the chemicals used to treat those shingles are a huge problem for drinking water.<br />
<br />
<strong>How much water does a person use in a day? How does that translate to knowing how much water you need to store?</strong><br />
Consider all that you use water for each day: drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, showers, washing clothes, etc. In a conserving household (where you turn water off when you brush your teeth), the average person will use between 25-50 gallons a day. We estimated that each person in our family would use an average of 25 gallons per day, taking into account our composting toilet.<br />
25 gallons/person/day x 4 = 100 gallons/household/day.<br />
<br />
Looking at weather patterns over the past hundred years, we realized that we wanted to be able to store enough water to last our family for a two-month stretch at a time. (Two months was the longest western PA had gone without a good-size rain.)<br />
<br />
So...100 gallons/household/day x 60 days = 6,000 gallons<br />
<br />
Each of our four tanks holds 1,500 gallons of water, so we are able to store 6,000 gallons at full capacity.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqYtMGCqeqnVJnKjvGLgzVgvHej-KfPe2w_t6gY00BAVlFDyEH8XMXG8Jjile6F35snMJ61we-rrpwW7UmS9Uqj9u8r0hJx-O8Pss1iyPhTZXlkQFUS7qf_Ui-XkxDl7JdJd3fUeOSjXQ/s1600/DSCN9088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqYtMGCqeqnVJnKjvGLgzVgvHej-KfPe2w_t6gY00BAVlFDyEH8XMXG8Jjile6F35snMJ61we-rrpwW7UmS9Uqj9u8r0hJx-O8Pss1iyPhTZXlkQFUS7qf_Ui-XkxDl7JdJd3fUeOSjXQ/s400/DSCN9088.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(1,500 gallons in this tank as of this morning!)</div><br />
<strong>What are options for water storage?</strong><br />
People have created cisterns out of many materials. Historically, stone cisterns have been very popular. Today, that is a very expensive option. More affordable, cement tanks often have an aftertaste. Ready-made tanks of metal, polypropylene and fiberglass are more affordable and easier to transport. We chose tanks of fiberglass because I happen to be very picky about the taste of my water, and fiberglass was the best option for fresh-tasting water.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * * </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for visiting! Tomorrow: our water-related splurge!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Grace</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>For further reading:</u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.arcsa-usa.org/">http://www.arcsa-usa.org/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Suzy Banks and Richard Heinichen, <em>Rainwater Collection For the Mechanically Challenged </em>(Texas: Tank Town, 2004) ISBN#: 0-9664170-6-2</div>Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-91239738854992543532010-03-09T07:00:00.000-08:002010-03-09T18:42:49.866-08:00Pushing the Envelope<span style="font-size: x-small;">(In order to appreciate the events from this past weekend, the reader will want to remember that our straw bale home is currently heated by our backup system, a radiant floor fueled by propane. It's a great incentive to complete our Finnish masonry heater this summer for use in Winter 2010-2011.)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x3O6js1lcwb0Ph87WomccH_3tfuPsZxuDn6DhT0Wj28WEBeb21Wq74joB0KBOCDv25BpkWbIhZmPgDcChx0VicKq_MHMSGHPciHSP6BLKhvT0n5XjejbMYDf6jljBZRgykBRwXTzcsTj/s1600-h/DSCN6407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x3O6js1lcwb0Ph87WomccH_3tfuPsZxuDn6DhT0Wj28WEBeb21Wq74joB0KBOCDv25BpkWbIhZmPgDcChx0VicKq_MHMSGHPciHSP6BLKhvT0n5XjejbMYDf6jljBZRgykBRwXTzcsTj/s320/DSCN6407.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was inadvertent that we were able to test the passive solar and insulative values of our home last weekend. We really meant to order the propane last week. <em>Really.</em> But it's getting to be good maple weather, which means busy times at home and work. </div><br />
So we called for propane on Saturday. Sure, they'd be willing to deliver, <em>for an extra $150.00.</em> <br />
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Ah. Okay then.<br />
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So Saturday began with a feeling of regret that quickly turned into opportunity. As I've mentioned before, the insulation value of the walls of our home is quite high compared to conventional construction. We've created an efficient "envelope" (highly insulated walls, floors, ceilings, windows & doors.) We have a nice amount of passive solar gain through our south-facing windows and a decent amount of thermal mass in the floor. (In layman's terms, thermal mass refers to the ability of a material to absorb heat, to be radiated out over time.) But here's the thing---even though we theoretically knew the insulative value of our home, we had never tested it directly by turning our heat off---until this weekend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tN7YLMXm5tQO-7aNIXX7uFzfhLdL8P_tp1xnjVNURsHhosHeZeJsl43opGZ89rImqc_B9FferJtq6J2AArZzKBq2eBh8DDZTgAWOay_gh6G_MSnt3SkI11Lcrnrp8LV60hGd7sqccgWH/s1600-h/DSCN6333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tN7YLMXm5tQO-7aNIXX7uFzfhLdL8P_tp1xnjVNURsHhosHeZeJsl43opGZ89rImqc_B9FferJtq6J2AArZzKBq2eBh8DDZTgAWOay_gh6G_MSnt3SkI11Lcrnrp8LV60hGd7sqccgWH/s320/DSCN6333.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
By Saturday morning, we knew we needed to get through two days without using much propane, so we turned the radiant floor system off. (The radiant system works through a thermostat that measures the floor temperature and uses hot water---heated by propane---to keep the floor a constant temperature. The heat from the floor radiates upward and heats everything in its path.) The nice thing is, we can adjust the thermostat to decrease the temperature of the floor, but it also has a switch by which we can simply turn it off.<br />
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Looking back, I wish I had treated this weekend more scientifically and taken air and floor temperatures each hour. But anecdotally, here's what happened: we had typical maple weather all weekend, so outdoor temperatures climbed to around 45 degrees F during the day and dipped below freezing at night for both Saturday and Sunday. Each day, the passive solar energy raised Haven's interior temperature to around 69 degrees. Overnight, the air temperature in our home came down to around 64 degrees.<br />
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Overall, we were extremely pleased with how we fared at Haven this weekend. There were a lot of variables at play, such as the fairly pleasant March weather with sunshine. (Certainly, if we hadn't had sun, the house wouldn't have been as warm each day.)<br />
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So what are the potential implications of our inadvertent experiment? My conclusion is that since I am home during the day, I'll be able to monitor the outside weather and adjust the thermostat on our radiant system accordingly to greatly reduce our demand for propane on sunny days. It makes me think back to a Cape Cod we used to own, to times when we considered ourselves lucky to be able to turn the furnace off toward the end of April. What a great opportunity to be able to reduce our fuel use a month and a half earlier! It also brought me back to our time at Terra Dei, learning to build smaller fires each day as Spring progressed, so as not to waste wood and overheat the house. It reminded me that life it built on a learning curve.<br />
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The owner of the propane company personally made our delivery yesterday. Having helped Fred choose the size and site of the tank for our proposed radiant heating system, he was curious as to how we made out this winter. I described how pleasant the floor was to walk on, then related our "experiment" from turning the system off this past weekend. He smiled ruefully, saying, "Well that's great for you, but not good news for me!" Though I kept quiet, I was dying to say, "Just wait until our masonry heater is in place next year!"<br />
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Instead, I chose to smile and wish him a good day.<br />
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Thanks for joining me along our journey!<br />
Grace<br />
xxooShaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-59695456913931520692010-02-15T07:23:00.000-08:002010-02-15T12:24:40.868-08:00"10 Outrageous Homes" (again!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRQrBnLZYkKONLs-cGuYc9TcIuTHv0ARIjz5XAwfwrrEu91Jr9avXBIM5eRRlAqsKD7Hhyq5IM4JKfNHQcRjhqq_23zJjxKsgumnx-GlXLopS9u35ysz082ls6xEpnY-pyelg_9njwcIa/s1600-h/DSCN5156.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438494165243480018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRQrBnLZYkKONLs-cGuYc9TcIuTHv0ARIjz5XAwfwrrEu91Jr9avXBIM5eRRlAqsKD7Hhyq5IM4JKfNHQcRjhqq_23zJjxKsgumnx-GlXLopS9u35ysz082ls6xEpnY-pyelg_9njwcIa/s400/DSCN5156.JPG" /></a><br /><p>A friend sent me a link this morning that I'd like to pass along. If you are a fan of straw bale construction, you'll want to take a minute and visit this slideshow of ten beautiful homes. I found the spiral house in Denmark to be especially interesting.</p><p><a href="http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=23420141&GT1=35000">http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=23420141&GT1=35000</a></p><p>Enjoy!</p><span style="font-size:85%;">(*My apologies for anyone who visited earlier. The link was not correct, but it has been fixed!)<br /></span><div></div>Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-90503521788320325002010-02-07T06:05:00.000-08:002010-02-07T17:09:10.025-08:00Snow and Solar GainWe woke yesterday to eighteen fresh inches of beauty.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnspPqeVmCNPFSuuflzE0pUCuHDBv3FXFVkt1Hs1r6_68xv_yZuROz7GGM5rKrdvbnV-pJm562ZHxe6NyrQwE5tYkHj8XteDvClNwPcNEAPiIEtpeqRiFcP8h2Z7FnbuYiYhICvrA_9Py/s1600-h/DSCN6297.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435507369808098594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnspPqeVmCNPFSuuflzE0pUCuHDBv3FXFVkt1Hs1r6_68xv_yZuROz7GGM5rKrdvbnV-pJm562ZHxe6NyrQwE5tYkHj8XteDvClNwPcNEAPiIEtpeqRiFcP8h2Z7FnbuYiYhICvrA_9Py/s400/DSCN6297.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Many posts ago I made the promise to tell you what we would choose to do differently if we were to build Haven again.<br /><br />Here's the first thing I would consider changing:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ed2aSiAgZIqmUp-4ZTKx3Hg6xABeXMphmlHoBNsy-_8djfTz14Q76vrD2DHBfyD1RjF-P465n_S2ZNa5vdNBQxu0DFgyFdoNGa8ayqawFpd2KTawmHSS7pYa2BiwJ-DX_N0lZCZH0rts/s1600-h/DSCN6302.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435504591521863762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ed2aSiAgZIqmUp-4ZTKx3Hg6xABeXMphmlHoBNsy-_8djfTz14Q76vrD2DHBfyD1RjF-P465n_S2ZNa5vdNBQxu0DFgyFdoNGa8ayqawFpd2KTawmHSS7pYa2BiwJ-DX_N0lZCZH0rts/s400/DSCN6302.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Now, not the steel roof itself. I <strong>love</strong> the steel roof! I still adore the color I chose. (Which is good, since it will last a long, long time!) What I might modify is the cut we made in the roof along the front of the house.<br /><br />Living in PA, we need every spare ray of sunshine to come inside our house (in the winter) for reasons of warmth and sanity. So we made the cut in the roof to allow the sunlight to travel in through the top row of windows.<br /><br />However, it may have been a mistake to cut in as far as we did. In the winter, the roof warms up slightly, and the snow slides right off in one gigantic avalanche, resulting in a mountain of snow right in front of the French doors. (Note: we don't really use the French doors in winter. It's more just the point that we don't want snow piling up against any part of the house.)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoyeKdGOexhtv_MWjL-a3ulhQtrLMXQg6cdLHP_byXjTT7pbtLnIkwWoDtQmrrBrcWUrfvN6UjhJeU9bCwumcr2LcljaCKeLyEQ-0qQ-RBnn-nCtcGyNKvK9j-OdwAyU6NrL1MPEf-atT/s1600-h/DSCN6307.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435504429163434418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoyeKdGOexhtv_MWjL-a3ulhQtrLMXQg6cdLHP_byXjTT7pbtLnIkwWoDtQmrrBrcWUrfvN6UjhJeU9bCwumcr2LcljaCKeLyEQ-0qQ-RBnn-nCtcGyNKvK9j-OdwAyU6NrL1MPEf-atT/s400/DSCN6307.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>But, coming back to our original reasons for cutting the roofline, if we had extended the front roof to match the overhang that surrounds the rest of the house, I wouldn't be blessed with this:<br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-NITMVRcAfMFf-QjHU4KpguADID3HRPwVUZwKwOstwTr0wZ9jmmGKSPyB-K9HsHfTS1mE_8K2ImlSQGuViTPKNb6Lga7AEihCLL-TZNsdX4MA2lSONsJBvYY8AML19tHNvyuIVjWBhyp/s1600-h/DSCN6336.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435627639066779314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-NITMVRcAfMFf-QjHU4KpguADID3HRPwVUZwKwOstwTr0wZ9jmmGKSPyB-K9HsHfTS1mE_8K2ImlSQGuViTPKNb6Lga7AEihCLL-TZNsdX4MA2lSONsJBvYY8AML19tHNvyuIVjWBhyp/s400/DSCN6336.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>Gorgeous sunshine and deep windowsills! Could there be any better place to curl up and read? (Or sleep, if you are our cat!) I guess sunshine and passive solar win out, especially when I have a wonderful husband who is willing to move mountains for me!</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraaHOXoImb7v7TGeKbOcRKhm3QKiBh4GVuhBzms2YV2kG7joZV8zP_028-c3aYyYhnH2lduaSbzN2G7MUx8KWWXN8Jcr4UK4jF-0pdaopt6x7_PnBVVhlRYC3jkUZ7zZgikN4wxheEd6H/s1600-h/DSCN6323.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435670239013300722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraaHOXoImb7v7TGeKbOcRKhm3QKiBh4GVuhBzms2YV2kG7joZV8zP_028-c3aYyYhnH2lduaSbzN2G7MUx8KWWXN8Jcr4UK4jF-0pdaopt6x7_PnBVVhlRYC3jkUZ7zZgikN4wxheEd6H/s400/DSCN6323.JPG" /></a><br /><br />For those of you who have some, enjoy the snow. Maple season is just around the corner.Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-84457138525541947492010-01-24T18:17:00.000-08:002010-01-24T18:44:33.579-08:00On the Horizon: Straw Bale WorkshopsWhile <a href="http://www.proofreadingwithapurpose.com/">proofreading</a> the newsletter for the environmental education center at <a href="http://www.lutherlyn.com/">Lutherlyn</a>, I was thrilled to note that plans have been set in stone for three straw bale workshops this spring. Lutherlyn is in the process of building its second straw bale structure, a worship and music center. (<a href="http://http//www.lutherlyn.com/index181.htm">Terra Dei </a>was Lutherlyn's first straw bale building, to which we credit our early straw bale experience and where we lived for four years.)<br /><br /><strong>March 21-27, 2010:</strong> Join us for an <strong>Alternative Spring Break</strong> focusing on straw bale construction. This week-long program will introduce students and campus groups to the basics of straw bale construction and earth plastering.<br /><br /><strong>May 14-16, 2010:</strong> We will be offering a combination <strong>Straw Bale Construction and</strong> <strong>Earth Plastering Workshop</strong>. This event will cover the basics of design, construction, and finishing of straw bale walls. It will include plenty of hands-on experience.<br /><br /><strong>May 22-23, 2010:</strong> Come for our <strong>Straw Bale Work Days</strong>!<strong> </strong>These days will be spent stacking and plastering bales. All volunteers are welcome to attend.<br /><br />(On a side note, yours truly will be helping teach these events. I can't wait to get my hands on that earth plaster!)<br /><br />For more information and to register for these events, please contact the LEEP office:<br /><br />Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program<br />724-865-9079<br /><a href="mailto:leep@lutherlyn.com">leep@lutherlyn.com</a>Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-15802959556133098482010-01-21T03:51:00.001-08:002010-11-24T16:32:28.900-08:00Making the Move!Last we talked about the straw bale chicken coop, Fred and Granddad had put the metal roofing in place. It was Thanksgiving. Winter decided to arrive in earnest the following weekend:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH4X9uc_NeyFMHxOpXR3ofhUWRdQsx0nrjkFTqhaqYTGxM9KM5O4nv3a0mjeEd5co09nCgKyRHiEW_pcEicIRsrJH2VHgx5dgaaslrjpWEF5VxUOb1gQZcRogCeiYgKIuCS9EctWmyJJq/s1600-h/PICT8283.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429225475636943266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH4X9uc_NeyFMHxOpXR3ofhUWRdQsx0nrjkFTqhaqYTGxM9KM5O4nv3a0mjeEd5co09nCgKyRHiEW_pcEicIRsrJH2VHgx5dgaaslrjpWEF5VxUOb1gQZcRogCeiYgKIuCS9EctWmyJJq/s400/PICT8283.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 296px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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So after the big push during October and November to get the coop done, we were unable to move the hens down to Haven after all. Everything came to a very cold standstill. (Cold and dark, but oh-so-beautiful!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8ubJAe6dbgxi_uNZkCqLr5QwYY-b6GY_nRx1PcR3WKL_hWQKQnKuEvS8Yr6i0_X_V3jncWfyG55pJDFvlUwf7DP7FEzc4Ewe-cukImODm0Wumx3jo7_ASWbuanFOjKZTjagds45OUS37/s1600-h/PICT8289.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429226173051963746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8ubJAe6dbgxi_uNZkCqLr5QwYY-b6GY_nRx1PcR3WKL_hWQKQnKuEvS8Yr6i0_X_V3jncWfyG55pJDFvlUwf7DP7FEzc4Ewe-cukImODm0Wumx3jo7_ASWbuanFOjKZTjagds45OUS37/s400/PICT8289.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 296px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Our driveway is about 1/4 of a mile in length. Not a big deal; actually, a pleasurable walk to the mailbox. But without a 4-wheel drive vehicle, winter becomes a test of patience. I have a tendency to get vehicles stuck in snowdrifts, so I park up at Great-Grandma's on the main road instead of getting stuck in our driveway.<br />
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But the early grasp of winter always gives way to a January thaw, which hit last weekend. We had a nice stretch of days ranging from 25-35 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that most of the snow melted. It was time to move the girls!<br />
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I wish I could say they were excited for their move. They weren't. We moved them five at a time in a cardboard box, with lots of squawking for effect. But all that seems to be forgiven and forgotten. They are glad to be home!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiC8QWR-ndR54j5cPvBS_fOvNSirab0HpFZ4SD72HsaXomRLZUBRVfNAYLXtEa2SoNxD8Ecfyp92DepPbWddw1Ows8kzRv7nge3mldhMUyPyMpuKWJ611T9hAjbs9SO83ybAZj4ZJZeCz/s1600-h/DSCN6160.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429224052814080882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiC8QWR-ndR54j5cPvBS_fOvNSirab0HpFZ4SD72HsaXomRLZUBRVfNAYLXtEa2SoNxD8Ecfyp92DepPbWddw1Ows8kzRv7nge3mldhMUyPyMpuKWJ611T9hAjbs9SO83ybAZj4ZJZeCz/s400/DSCN6160.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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See how excited they are? (I know, chickens don't often get too excited, unless it involves treats.) A better word to describe them is content. They are content to be scritching around in the earth without a fence.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGrFUH9OfFORFLJfK3B_OT0Jrk55LSjRxKfGL-QmN2pSLp6eVke3Ub1ptcEEy7Whzhg4y1AfbR-zdvdCT0JbYCCOERo3j7KAwwXhAGJY3tl3PlXWBoOVwmyf-E_8zn0SrYn-j1_U76_We/s1600-h/DSCN6146.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429159845364132098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGrFUH9OfFORFLJfK3B_OT0Jrk55LSjRxKfGL-QmN2pSLp6eVke3Ub1ptcEEy7Whzhg4y1AfbR-zdvdCT0JbYCCOERo3j7KAwwXhAGJY3tl3PlXWBoOVwmyf-E_8zn0SrYn-j1_U76_We/s400/DSCN6146.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Here is a picture of the interior. The right side features food, water, and roosts:<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCslhLlbe-tvbdJq8wiIkQN71rBPBIwPKXFzOK-uSzO2nPXFQ4F2hUqcT_3vONYeSolqseF_-enVqTVkDHuELstXDWWqOi1AN7DqQZff9Iol0hpl8b1kU72oPGbnxW4bJ_12l_qLJ8GkB/s1600-h/DSCN6148.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429160006401766770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCslhLlbe-tvbdJq8wiIkQN71rBPBIwPKXFzOK-uSzO2nPXFQ4F2hUqcT_3vONYeSolqseF_-enVqTVkDHuELstXDWWqOi1AN7DqQZff9Iol0hpl8b1kU72oPGbnxW4bJ_12l_qLJ8GkB/s400/DSCN6148.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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The door opens to their nesting boxes on the left:<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSixMu76Es4Kwi0k4IKmYjFi7aV9k_yEq3Kn5MW67HW2uRFS6AubPuh0_Rz7BBATF7dJyJxPvuIpOdCaxErarwhYfuwrHaB93Xqn_tbuP8irnwOsu2-vlv7WWSnSSBJ9KW0nfCmnFkPV4V/s1600-h/DSCN6149.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429160114744016930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSixMu76Es4Kwi0k4IKmYjFi7aV9k_yEq3Kn5MW67HW2uRFS6AubPuh0_Rz7BBATF7dJyJxPvuIpOdCaxErarwhYfuwrHaB93Xqn_tbuP8irnwOsu2-vlv7WWSnSSBJ9KW0nfCmnFkPV4V/s400/DSCN6149.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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Yesterday was their first day to run free for hours. They were as happy as could be. Due to the large overhang of the roof, they found a dry, dusty spot. For a better part of the afternoon, all ten chickens were crammed into four square feet of dust:<br />
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<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu57Z8JXwoTGOZOFD486Q5OrthZv7uGMLgAmA-1G2FR3KnHt1GgiMgeHpDUh3Yli8WKzwdK42e0Wv-fGWcEES6yTq2azs9pCQVmP8I8J8Bt-ArJLqfO1xcGFMJNZcsArv959psEbyFi0gw/s1600-h/DSCN6156.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429160842514810450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu57Z8JXwoTGOZOFD486Q5OrthZv7uGMLgAmA-1G2FR3KnHt1GgiMgeHpDUh3Yli8WKzwdK42e0Wv-fGWcEES6yTq2azs9pCQVmP8I8J8Bt-ArJLqfO1xcGFMJNZcsArv959psEbyFi0gw/s400/DSCN6156.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Some of you may remember that we actually have 12 chickens. Two chickens opted to stay up at Great-Grandma's. My sweetest little chicken has been picked on by the largest hen. (And therefore, by all the others. They don't call it a "pecking order" for nothing!) Unfortunately, the flock has pulled out a good many of her feathers on the back of her neck, around her tail, and on her lower back. We thought that warranted a break, so she and a friend are going to stay at the other coop for some well-deserved rest time.<br />
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You can see from the pictures that we still have work to do on the coop, even though the chickens are living there. Two major improvements still need to take place. The first is to apply the rest of the mud plaster to the outside of the coop. I should be able to finish the two unplastered exterior walls with two good days of work. The second improvement is to run permanent electricity and lighting to the coop. For my friends who don't do chickens, egg laying drops dramatically in the winter if you don't have an indoor light to help them out a little. Electricity would also give us the option to use a heated waterer during the coldest months. We have to run electricity to the garage anyway, so it will be just a small job for Fred to extend that to the coop.<br />
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So for now, until winter comes to a close, that means taking warm water out to the girls a few times a day so it doesn't freeze. Compared to the 1/4 mile I was carrying water to their other coop, this is a dream. It makes me very happy to open my door and hear them calling to one another. It makes our homesteading life seem just that much more complete, to have our girls with us under their own little blue roof. </div></div></div>Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-36720986418392016192009-12-23T04:02:00.000-08:002010-03-15T11:27:24.273-07:007 Reasons to Choose a Blue RoofThe blue steel roof is one of the visually distinctive features of our home. Although beautiful, it was initially chosen for function. Here are seven reasons to invest in a steel roof.<br />
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Steel panels are...<br />
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1. Long Lasting<br />
Galvalume* panels boast a 25-year warranty, with a 30-year warranty against chalk and fade of the color of your choice. Panels are available in 18 different colors.<br />
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2. Fireproof<br />
Steel panels are noncombustible.<br />
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3. Waterproof<br />
Steel is impervious to water. Snow and ice are shed in the winter.<br />
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4. Recyclable<br />
The panels are made of 25% recycled steel and are recyclable.<br />
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5. Quiet<br />
Contrary to popular belief, steel panels provide a quiet roof. The mental image of rain drumming on a metal roof comes from barn roofing, where the noise originates from open framing and no insulation.<br />
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6. Affordable<br />
Although a steel roof may initially cost more, costs are lower over the life cycle of the roof.<br />
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7. Ideal for Rainwater Collection<br />
Haven was designed around a system of cistern tanks that serve as our sole water supply. According to Suzy Banks and Richard Heinichen, the best roofs for rainwater collection are metal (16).<br />
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We chose to purchase the Galvalume* steel panels and construction supplies from American Building Components. (*Galvalume is the trademark name of the coating applied to their bare sheet steel products.)<br />
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Readers who have been with me from day one know why our roof is blue. Fred and I traveled to the Big Island of Hawaii in July, 2005. Many of the homes there have metal roofing in a variety of colors. The color that I identify most with Hawaii is a tranquil blue. While I knew it would be an impossibility to transplant my life to Hawaii, choosing a blue metal roof for my new home was my way of acknowledging my inner wish to live the rest of my life out at South Point on the Big Island.<br />
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Are you curious as to what the runner-up color choices were? I thought so!<br />
Life Under an <strong>Ivy Green </strong>Roof<br />
Life Under a <strong>Burnished Slate </strong>Roof<br />
Life Under a <strong>Burgundy</strong> Roof<br />
Life Under a <strong>Koko Brown </strong>Roof<br />
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Koko Brown? Yeah... I've put up with too much brown in my life. For me, I'm happy to write from under my <span style="color: blue;"><strong>blue</strong></span> roof.<br />
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xxoo<br />
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American Building Components<br />
www.abcmetalroofing.com<br />
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Banks, Susan and Richard Heinichen. <em>Rainwater Collection For the Mechanically Challenged</em>. Texas: Tank Town, 2004.Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-39600031477420512522009-12-15T03:41:00.000-08:002009-12-16T15:44:18.203-08:00Seriously, Why Straw Bale?When I began working on my <a href="http://http//lifeunderablueroof.blogspot.com/2009/12/living-radiant-life.html">radiant floor post</a> the other day, I realized that there are so many other posts I need to write for the sustainable part of this blog---top of the list being reasons why a person would try to build a house out of straw. Living in our particular part of the northeastern United States, straw bale construction isn't something you see often. The only exposure most people in this region have to green building is what they may have caught on HGTV. That makes teaching with homes like <a href="http://www.lutherlyn.com/index182.htm">Terra Dei </a>and Haven Homestead a special joy. To take a visitor from the mindset of "Why on earth would you want to build with straw?" to "Boy, that's pretty cool," is a gift we're blessed to give. Our aim is to share open-mindedness, possibility and vision, not to convince visitors that they could or should build a straw bale house.<br /><br />Here's the thing, the answer to "Why build with bales?" has already been published many times by experts in the field. Not being one to reinvent the wheel, what I'd like to do is give you a rundown of a list compiled by Paul Lacinski and Michel Bergeron, from their book, <em>Serious Straw Bale</em>. In their first chapter they list eight excellent reasons why building with bales is a viable alternative to conventional construction, as listed here.<br /><br /><strong>1. Beauty</strong><br />I <strong>love</strong> that this is the first benefit they give for building with straw, because beauty itself attracts me most to straw bale construction. The combination of straw walls and earth plaster could perhaps be considered the antithesis of conventional home construction---both in types of material and in aesthetics. There is a subtle beauty to a bale wall, seen in the gentle curves and in the way the light falls on the plaster throughout the day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsuB6im0qEOH19rekfmc7uTOwMJ3TTTmtU8dnf3k1Hldq-BYaJtK_83Y_tto3soswurKO-H_hSYce9u3S3Gyb501vFgwbBVXd1UkAKOvkpqm1EIqlaIsfKMOditYLhrcJ8brolALjKxou/s1600-h/DSCN3802.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415876035278796178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsuB6im0qEOH19rekfmc7uTOwMJ3TTTmtU8dnf3k1Hldq-BYaJtK_83Y_tto3soswurKO-H_hSYce9u3S3Gyb501vFgwbBVXd1UkAKOvkpqm1EIqlaIsfKMOditYLhrcJ8brolALjKxou/s320/DSCN3802.JPG" /></a><br />The above photo is from one of my favorite spots in Haven. Note the rounded windowsills, the deep ledge where one can curl up with a blanket and a book. Above the chair, a truth window bears witness to the origin of the wall.<br /><br /><strong>2. Insulation Value</strong><br />According to Lacinski and Bergeron, "Plastered bales provide a highly insulative wall at a price that is competitive with quality conventional construction" (p. 5). In layman's terms, bale walls can provide more insulation than conventional walls for around the same cost.<br /><br /><strong>3. Nontoxic</strong><br />In a world that we have increasingly filled with pollutants, this is a fundamental reason to choose straw bale construction. Straw is a natural material. "Unlike many manufactured building products, they [straw walls] contain no toxic ingredients and are chemically stable. They will release no unhealthy chemicals into your home, and will not emit poisonous fumes in case of a fire" (p. 9). At Haven, we did our best to choose nontoxic building/furnishing materials within our budget at every step. Straw and plastered walls were an early part of this continual process.<br /><br /><strong>4. Use of Resources</strong><br />When you choose to build a home, you are choosing to use resources. Your choice is to reuse material from previous construction or to use new material. We did some of each. Straw is a new material, but it is one that is readily available in our area. It can be grown in one season. In some locations straw is actually burned in the field as a waste product of agriculture. By using straw, "we might also reduce the pressure on forests (the most important carbon sinks and oxygen producers on the planet) and the demand for relatively energy- and pollution-intensive industrial insulation materials" (p. 10).<br /><br /><strong>5. Economical<br /></strong>In these tight economic times, cost is a factor in everything we do. (Had we known what the last four years would bring financially, I don't know that we would have chosen to build when we did, if at all.) Our family was rapidly outgrowing our two bedroom Cape Cod house at the time. We were faced with buying a larger existing home, building a conventional home or building a straw bale home. We chose to build a straw bale home because we have experience in this area. We knew that if we did most of the construction ourselves we would save money in the process. Building our own straw bale home would allow us to obtain "much more home for our money", as the popular saying goes. According to Lacinski and Bergeron, "Bale construction is getting to be cost-competitive with good-quality stick-framed construction, assuming a tight design that doesn't drive labor costs through the roof" (p. 10).<br /><br /><strong>6. Owner-Builder Friendly</strong><br />Aptly written, these authors describe straw bale as "well suited to a 'gang of friends' method of construction" (p. 12). Especially for raising the walls, many hands make light work. We were able to place the bales for the first floor using two work weekends. Along the entire journey we have been fortunate to have good friends and family members who took our venture as their own and have been intricately involved in the construction and finishing details of our home. Working with friends saves time and money. More than that, it allows you to build more satisfying relationships with people you thought you knew well prior to building.<br /><br /><strong>7. Fun</strong><br />Different people have varying ideas as to what constitutes "fun". I wouldn't say that I particularly enjoy many of the jobs in construction, until you get to mudding and plastering the walls. For me, those jobs contain a great deal of creative fun! That is one of the fabulous parts of building your own home: people are free to try out a vast number of different jobs and see what they enjoy the most. There's also something to be said for the "synergy of group effort" (p. 12), stepping back and saying, "Can you believe we accomplished all this together?"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp3RIfDw4VZQYGVHCLDLU35Yz4okXG-54a8wNqk1kiqQgDf4gKt_UQnr4u-HA6bYNzapNDxxmwscP33i9JSz9Zeplks4kOXT_jmjSKBNFH38EJUsRu1r-WV83KclOYJ6Ybqn0M1RerQ1i/s1600-h/DSCN3544.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415879283498179970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp3RIfDw4VZQYGVHCLDLU35Yz4okXG-54a8wNqk1kiqQgDf4gKt_UQnr4u-HA6bYNzapNDxxmwscP33i9JSz9Zeplks4kOXT_jmjSKBNFH38EJUsRu1r-WV83KclOYJ6Ybqn0M1RerQ1i/s320/DSCN3544.JPG" /></a><br />The above photo is an example of my idea of fun. This is the inside of my front door, which leads into a mudroom. Note the rounded walls next to the door, the curve of the interior corner! We were near the end of the interior plastering, and the bare wall was begging for some variation. My inspiration for cutting a niche into the bale wall was taken from Athena and Bill Steen's book, <em>The Beauty of Straw Bale Homes</em>. Todd used a chainsaw to carve into the bale. I used earth plaster to shape a triangular shelf, and the Trinity niche was born. The small mudroom was also the perfect place to apply a darker color of plaster---just for fun.<br /><br /><strong>8. Durable</strong><br />Bale buildings have been created for almost as long as the baling machine has been in existence. Much of the durability of bale walls comes from proper finishing with some type of plaster. When detailed correctly they are actually fire resistant; "plastered bale-wall systems have outperformed wood-framed walls in fire tests" (p. 13). Rodents and insects have a hard time finding a home in a wall that has been plastered and sealed off. Though we don't worry about it in our area, bale walls have even been tested and considered a viable option for earthquake-prone areas (p. 15).<br /><br />Many thanks to Paul Lacinski and Michel Bergeron for sharing their collective experience with us in <em>Serious Straw Bale</em>. It is well known in straw bale circles and a book we trusted throughout the building process.<br /><br />I will say this: the experiences I have had building two different straw bale structures has changed my life for the better. Not only have we created beautiful, safe, warm homes, I have personally learned many different construction skills along the way. An exerpt from the Christmas letter I typed last night: "Words cannot express how we’ve grown closer as a family simply because we endured the building process. The house becomes an excellent metaphor for building our life together, of taking separate agendas and meshing them into one structure that can hold us all."<br /><br />That's not to say that everything along the building journey has been easy. On another day, I'll be sure to compile a post of "Boy, I wish we had known xyz about building," or "Yeah, that wasn't our best idea." But for today, from the office where I sit, I have a pretty optimistic view of our Life Under a Blue Roof. Thanks for sharing our journey!<br /><br />Have you ever visited or built a structure of straw bales? Post a comment and let us know!Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-30517374735345866072009-12-09T19:03:00.000-08:002010-11-24T16:37:22.447-08:00Living the Radiant Life<span style="font-family: georgia;">Living in a straw bale house, we get a lot of questions. These range from the comical "Three Pigs" type allusions, to the more serious, "Isn't it a fire hazard to have straw in your walls?" Once people realize that the straw serves as insulation, they want to know how warm the house is. As in all the homes we've lived we keep the temperature around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. We could certainly keep it warmer, but we try to treat heat as the valuable resource it is. Hence my ever-growing collection of wool cardigans.<br />
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When people ask how warm our house is, I think what they really want to know is how much energy we are saving. Until we've lived here a year we won't have a definitive answer to that. According to Chris Magwood in his book <em>Straw Bale Building</em>, "Insulation values (commonly referred to as R-values) for conventional residential wall systems typically range between R-12 and R-20, depending on climactic conditions. Straw bale walls have R-values between R-35-R-50, depending on their width." In that way, using straw bales for insulation has allowed us to significantly reduce the amount of energy required to heat and cool a house this size.<br />
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Haven Homestead is designed to operate on two heating sources. The first is a <strong>radiant floor system</strong>, fueled by propane. The second is a woodburning <strong>Finnish masonry heater</strong>. These two heat sources will work together in the future; the masonry heater is not yet online. We look forward to firing it up next winter, fueling it with wood split from our homestead. This will allow us to dramatically reduce our reliance on propane.<br />
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There are many <strong>positive aspects</strong> of living with a radiant floor. Extremely quiet systems, we don't hear the rush of the furnace turning on, the drone of air whooshing through a register. Gone are the days of itchy skin and nosebleeds from air that is overdried from a forced air system. Radiant systems are also hidden from sight in the subfloor; not only visually pleasing, this also makes them extremely childproof. They aren't prone to large fluctuations in temperature and distribute heat evenly.<br />
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For those of you who may have never experienced a radiant floor, ours is an open direct system designed with components from the Radiantec company based in Vermont. "The system uses one very efficient water heater to make domestic hot water for the home and warm water for radiant heating. Radiant heating systems warm the building by locating heating tubes within a large surface area of the building and then circulating warm water through the tubes." (Radiantec Open Direct System Installation, pg. 1) When the construction of the masonry heater is complete the two systems will work in concert, with heating coils for the floor running through the fireplace. This will preheat the water before it arrives at the hot water tank, reducing the amount of heat needed (and the amount of propane used) to bring the water in the hot water tank up to the desired temperature.<br />
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Two of the <strong>largest advantages </strong>for us in choosing a radiant floor heating system were <strong>ease of installation </strong>and <strong>system cost</strong>. According to the brochure we obtained from Radiantec, "Installation of radiant heat does not have to be hard, and it does not have to be expensive." They go on to say, "Radiantec Company thinks that the task of installing underfloor radiant heat is the task of a reasonably competent handyman...and that the work can be done with common, readily available tools." I would consider their opinion correct on both counts. Though we did have a licensed plumber help install the hot water manifold, Todd and my father were able to complete the actual installation of the floor elements. Radiantec designed the layout; we placed strapping across the entire subfloor and laid the Pex tubing between the strapping members. We filled the cavities next to the Pex tubing with sand. (Sand was chosen for its excellent heat retention and relatively low cost, as well as the fact that it requires no additional manufacturing, as is the case with cement.) We covered the entire first floor with cement backer board and laid ceramic tile wall-to-wall.<br />
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Regarding system cost, our expense for purchasing the components of the system (Pex tubing, manifold, reflective barrier, couplings, pump, all valves, digital temperature display, pressure gauges, etc.) ran around $2,400. An additional $1,696 was needed to purchase the hot water tank, bringing the <strong>total component cost </strong>to <strong>$4,096</strong>. (Note, in an effort to save in construction costs, we opted for a less expensive water heater than the extremely efficient Polaris recommended by Radiantec, with the intent to replace it with a Polaris in the future.) At the time we purchased the materials for our system a comparable conventional baseboard hot water system would have cost us approximately $6,500 (Radiantec Heating Systems, pg. 3).<br />
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Although it was not my intent to turn this post into an advertisement for Radiantec, we've been very pleased with our team effort to design and install Haven's radiant floor. Radiantec is a member of the International Code Council. They offer assistance designing systems, help with materials specification, and provide detailed installation manuals. They also provide unlimited toll-free technical support for as long as you own your system. Our house is warm and draft-free. As our son is often wont to do, you can walk across the ceramic tile in your bare feet in winter with a level of comfort. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzrD4Et2RZ9iaoOSEifhg1J0wu4YxPtbYueVAQ2kjeLkC-F67coVfXZ1NFbTjMPSXq7upxe5U54Zi1N-q59eCBbv_JGVd4JcsW0TnfhsziJ1LC9Go7Izx6eXhInqh9-GqusPKReNBc6TI/s1600-h/DSCN5565.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415596005959476066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzrD4Et2RZ9iaoOSEifhg1J0wu4YxPtbYueVAQ2kjeLkC-F67coVfXZ1NFbTjMPSXq7upxe5U54Zi1N-q59eCBbv_JGVd4JcsW0TnfhsziJ1LC9Go7Izx6eXhInqh9-GqusPKReNBc6TI/s320/DSCN5565.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;">Taken just this morning, featuring Batman pajamas and bare feet.</span><br />
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<strong>Resources:</strong><br />
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Magwood, Chris and Peter Mack. Straw Bale Building: How to Plan, Design and Build With Straw. Gabriola Island: New Society Publishers, 2002.<br />
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Radiantec Incorporated<br />
Box 1111, Lyndonville, Vt 05851<br />
(800) 451-7593<br />
FAX (802) 626-8045<br />
www.radiantec.comShaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-5036971387775872032009-11-24T10:30:00.000-08:002010-02-17T05:39:37.856-08:00Straw Bale Coop (Part Seven): Raising the Roof!Many thanks to Granddad and Fred, who donated a few hours on Saturday to place the roof on the straw bale coop!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenhXLmRu2ryANV7VZyEtsdiDxjwcE0LXu9SMzB7HX921LrgxFibntvVrBEvtVn8jp698MwneyHOaNszp77LB6lubnppo0vAEKcQb2sBdng0hVYJEKiT6shvhsqPQi5I5hC2-QM-7jplFc/s1600/DSCN5262.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenhXLmRu2ryANV7VZyEtsdiDxjwcE0LXu9SMzB7HX921LrgxFibntvVrBEvtVn8jp698MwneyHOaNszp77LB6lubnppo0vAEKcQb2sBdng0hVYJEKiT6shvhsqPQi5I5hC2-QM-7jplFc/s320/DSCN5262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407740087087063442" /></a><br /><br /><br />Leftover metal roofing from Haven, cut to size & slid into place.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD3qUrQYgzPWm4OUMN4LQ_PI8xn8OmFu0YKTS7V6JtVWMRy2_ishwmaqzJ8poaqW2MFlwcLP0c9TrCO7l_diGQxaTr0PNkfmUHmENJWGJxnTcpiKF0180CgU6Cr0-RljPYNNKj_naSmV1/s1600/DSCN5265.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD3qUrQYgzPWm4OUMN4LQ_PI8xn8OmFu0YKTS7V6JtVWMRy2_ishwmaqzJ8poaqW2MFlwcLP0c9TrCO7l_diGQxaTr0PNkfmUHmENJWGJxnTcpiKF0180CgU6Cr0-RljPYNNKj_naSmV1/s320/DSCN5265.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407742186727166834" /></a><br /><br /><br />A view from under the roof. You can see the large overhang, which will help keep the bales dry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6B7BDtr4mR-ryfZaNH2erpbohco4KVQm14ai6n7_P0zcAbwrpJMjNBqTQZhmdX69yStcmoghQL0OlcgtC0QOZfDKKVAzpf8B_Oc0JAlCJI_2Vo94BDBMYJsu0GK7X7rb1I-sdQZxfna7/s1600/DSCN5283.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6B7BDtr4mR-ryfZaNH2erpbohco4KVQm14ai6n7_P0zcAbwrpJMjNBqTQZhmdX69yStcmoghQL0OlcgtC0QOZfDKKVAzpf8B_Oc0JAlCJI_2Vo94BDBMYJsu0GK7X7rb1I-sdQZxfna7/s320/DSCN5283.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407741306860155474" /></a><br /><br /><br />Chicken wire is stapled into the top plate (the two-by-four that rests on top of the bales) and will be pinned into place before mudding.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgGrHAd5OcZ3M8nvxLZsH_nfilga2yKjX7cvsUgX_RlkvBsObmzF5onBL10Zy78IAAiShRty0ggzqEv8CjIARCXZz9NpcD48SrBT7XRcPVuBbayuSxsk01Vtv0iCUw7x4-bso1HvKr5vK/s1600/DSCN5272.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgGrHAd5OcZ3M8nvxLZsH_nfilga2yKjX7cvsUgX_RlkvBsObmzF5onBL10Zy78IAAiShRty0ggzqEv8CjIARCXZz9NpcD48SrBT7XRcPVuBbayuSxsk01Vtv0iCUw7x4-bso1HvKr5vK/s320/DSCN5272.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407741711004848674" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is the southern wall of the coop, which Jewel and I plastered while listening to the Steeler game on Sunday afternoon.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpFQol3Tx0sGsefP45pJftNwF2tAjGaUM2_ukU54OL_4KvpQ8tRTuMBaDayW9gdwy5KEo4gMfEABmjNtMcV8TU0UGl41ux7qEi10_XV6BR5-hNKSRuYb46Hykd4Z9bJS6Q1sakAJhSIlb/s1600/DSCN5284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpFQol3Tx0sGsefP45pJftNwF2tAjGaUM2_ukU54OL_4KvpQ8tRTuMBaDayW9gdwy5KEo4gMfEABmjNtMcV8TU0UGl41ux7qEi10_XV6BR5-hNKSRuYb46Hykd4Z9bJS6Q1sakAJhSIlb/s320/DSCN5284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407740637151266146" /></a><br /><br /><br />Today I was able to plaster the lower two courses of bales on the north and east sides. We are running low on chopped straw (an element of the plaster), and I wanted to "chicken-proof" the wall in case we aren't able to finish the upper plastering anytime soon. (From the way the girls will tear into flakes of straw in their bedding, I was afraid to leave unplastered bales within beak range.)<br /><br />So today, I'm feeling thankful to my family, who has been so supportive during this project. We are at a good place to stop with the holiday weekend approaching.<br /><br />God's blessings to you and your family, at Thanksgiving and always!Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-40555920022376289402009-11-22T19:13:00.000-08:002010-11-24T16:40:53.877-08:00Plaster Pals...At three and a half, getting to help run the cement mixer is a pretty exciting job...<br />
Tuba Boy with Uncle T. (T practices law during the week, but for two years came every weekend to help us with Haven. He very kindly offered to come mix plaster for my coop.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTqsFma3tvmoduqYNfD411pTSdM0rRv8DdXCLpgp61ipWsOMbQ_CE26bt5HZsymJTeNzJwDyYfD0DVDJp4qaQONQ_Eml2SEQtrXf1GO6N_WW0-w57ePDC_r3-tiZzrTInJg-AnxM_Mnq-/s1600/DSCN5242.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407135736176653890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTqsFma3tvmoduqYNfD411pTSdM0rRv8DdXCLpgp61ipWsOMbQ_CE26bt5HZsymJTeNzJwDyYfD0DVDJp4qaQONQ_Eml2SEQtrXf1GO6N_WW0-w57ePDC_r3-tiZzrTInJg-AnxM_Mnq-/s320/DSCN5242.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
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Jewel applies slip to the wall before plastering.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwykyDEgl1gjifZkN-FsaOV80GrFwVZ3OSPqYl8EheUKernvqOwjrHub2t7OzDgXnhnBTC1rKyVikSaoXnSUM0592WVkzenDKdC7rSf1giFkJwNb_VMX8jE0aJptKQXbA0iOKg91KICkJ/s1600/DSCN5246.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407134842333611138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwykyDEgl1gjifZkN-FsaOV80GrFwVZ3OSPqYl8EheUKernvqOwjrHub2t7OzDgXnhnBTC1rKyVikSaoXnSUM0592WVkzenDKdC7rSf1giFkJwNb_VMX8jE0aJptKQXbA0iOKg91KICkJ/s320/DSCN5246.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
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Rafters for the roof of the coop. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_I4ldMyCd-RMPUAExDkW4wGpPX0dIxW4Z8L3rVdYLK3unCXbTD3lDzFMpraeNRNHq2QzhwpLHpijxC4tDjDFJYSgfhDsSkfxnheOnJw1NPILUazKDQAxcDQnkvho0oGVRDcigeTT000f/s1600/DSCN5256.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407133335638103890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_I4ldMyCd-RMPUAExDkW4wGpPX0dIxW4Z8L3rVdYLK3unCXbTD3lDzFMpraeNRNHq2QzhwpLHpijxC4tDjDFJYSgfhDsSkfxnheOnJw1NPILUazKDQAxcDQnkvho0oGVRDcigeTT000f/s320/DSCN5256.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TChI-meDwEhfELSPIMEFmYtawnxa37z7zZsiDKy3i6LuX3fPKUB3FsRdnMW30RcKnCO3C09jJjawaZ6SuyzEy3wlnxIbfMqrIqKFdwVgkuhLqHI-HdB11jFUjF6zr02ZuQfAPzg2H9Xf/s1600/DSCN5258.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407132955857073394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TChI-meDwEhfELSPIMEFmYtawnxa37z7zZsiDKy3i6LuX3fPKUB3FsRdnMW30RcKnCO3C09jJjawaZ6SuyzEy3wlnxIbfMqrIqKFdwVgkuhLqHI-HdB11jFUjF6zr02ZuQfAPzg2H9Xf/s320/DSCN5258.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
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Jewel was a tremendous help with the plaster on the inside wall of the coop. At six and a half years old, she kept saying, "I'm good at this!" Which is how I often feel working with earth plaster. I never expected that I could be good at plastering, or that I would enjoy it so much!Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-1904494524574592512009-11-22T16:17:00.001-08:002010-02-17T05:36:50.548-08:00Straw Bale Coop (Part Five): Pinning, cont.When last we spoke, I had talked about pinning in terms of pinning the bales together vertically as you stack them in courses.<br /><br />Once you have your bales stacked, it's very tempting to think that it's time to plaster the bales. However, at this point it is very important to "tie" your bales into the top and bottom of whatever structure you have built. This is one more way to add strength to your wall.<br /><br />(For those readers who do not know me well, I have to reiterate at this point that I am not an expert in straw bale building. I lean on the experience of those who have gone before me as well as personal building experience. My husband and I have built two homes and a garage out of bales. If there is something I emphasize, it is usually because we have made a mistake and learned the hard way.)<br /><br />Let's talk for a minute about holes.<br /><br />Holes are not your friend. They result when bales are not exactly rectangular; when you have two slightly curved corners come together. You need to fill them, and you need to fill them well.<br /> <br />This is what a hole looks like. (I know, sounds pretty obvious.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSWUpAq1wRlbqrgAABcwo6DKjBau8v3rDWQwcInVrFwjicDOW51rFHJKojFThdFk7KJlNCHh_lFH5klMYvRFuz5t_qsJrfaY5fx0NQBcJmy0w8SeqZOBqttF98SOfzVz6DH2pDG-sX3p5/s1600/DSCN5209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSWUpAq1wRlbqrgAABcwo6DKjBau8v3rDWQwcInVrFwjicDOW51rFHJKojFThdFk7KJlNCHh_lFH5klMYvRFuz5t_qsJrfaY5fx0NQBcJmy0w8SeqZOBqttF98SOfzVz6DH2pDG-sX3p5/s320/DSCN5209.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407089235009159106" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is that same wall, a minute later, after I stuffed loose straw into the hole. I can't overstate how important it is to fill holes. If you don't fill them with straw, you'll be filling them later with handful after handful of valuable earth plaster. (If you're not planning to plaster your wall, perhaps opting to cover your wall with T-111 or a similar product, holes in your wall will greatly reduce the energy efficiency and warmth of your wall.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxzxiTIh8T_rJmHPBXWthRP5-kJQUE3QAsBCdJMGYKMMWedvWLTVX9-n_8ml0h9R5CUba4h5gk1g7CNS8Ys6MePXdxjEm-D_aXrWEwerZPFcXjKeDGJ6NhZdpXIlfPEedjyI6UyX6NNhY/s1600/DSCN5210.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxzxiTIh8T_rJmHPBXWthRP5-kJQUE3QAsBCdJMGYKMMWedvWLTVX9-n_8ml0h9R5CUba4h5gk1g7CNS8Ys6MePXdxjEm-D_aXrWEwerZPFcXjKeDGJ6NhZdpXIlfPEedjyI6UyX6NNhY/s320/DSCN5210.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407088094673153218" /></a><br /><br /><br />To tie the bottom of our wall into our foundation, we used two-foot tall chicken wire. Pretty straightforward, we cut the wire to the length of your wall. We've used two methods in past construction for attaching the wire to the bale wall. First, you could "sew" the wire on using baling twine and a bale needle. Second, you could create a number of long pins to hold the wire securely in place. For this project, we chose to use pins.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnGXtDVprKfcVJadzS9CeT78UTeLUg8Jy8KZWjwO21_DUNCMK8oHn7uM4IqCKbeqm1XwTUT8CqBVI9G4E6Ce_PDREwWr2Mpzf58UiGRUp8WxdTV_-VPjDbszlLoUThCDDGJI9TYwa4Rfu/s1600/DSCN5207.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnGXtDVprKfcVJadzS9CeT78UTeLUg8Jy8KZWjwO21_DUNCMK8oHn7uM4IqCKbeqm1XwTUT8CqBVI9G4E6Ce_PDREwWr2Mpzf58UiGRUp8WxdTV_-VPjDbszlLoUThCDDGJI9TYwa4Rfu/s320/DSCN5207.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407090078543942530" /></a><br /><br /><br />At this point, it was important to assemble a large number of pins. (The ones in this photo were made out of coat hangers, snipped with pliers. Myhrman and MacDonald refer to these as "Robert or Roberta pins, to emphasize their size and status relative to "bobby pins", pg.92.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxmz5v9AccfDT-1JaXqO2yPyjblT1CO-vaqr85Fwud8V9YrY4IDAXG5gtCsS1ENeJI213xsssafpsaIXXkyJp135SbMEr2ZSksv1kcGedhNYS4_bbEXfk66HxfAgVnGa_GtIt-gvkFan4/s1600/DSCN5206.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxmz5v9AccfDT-1JaXqO2yPyjblT1CO-vaqr85Fwud8V9YrY4IDAXG5gtCsS1ENeJI213xsssafpsaIXXkyJp135SbMEr2ZSksv1kcGedhNYS4_bbEXfk66HxfAgVnGa_GtIt-gvkFan4/s320/DSCN5206.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407091132449108898" /></a><br /><br /><br />Though it's hard to see in the photo, this is the same length of wall, with the chicken wire securely attached. A wall that is ready to plaster will have the chicken wire attached tightly; wire with gaps will be difficult to plaster.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivj3bwA2C6kGjmUYFSaPAtwa24BzOE9SkI6vpF1zaXUr6CB5kjer16CHQHk2gjItS8aI0I77q_MbcKS_O1BVZUrCO8uJ-9JwMR5zWVh1bkzYyNWIhEvCR4nz5eUxZxZfa_nNwACetxgPHR/s1600/DSCN5216.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivj3bwA2C6kGjmUYFSaPAtwa24BzOE9SkI6vpF1zaXUr6CB5kjer16CHQHk2gjItS8aI0I77q_MbcKS_O1BVZUrCO8uJ-9JwMR5zWVh1bkzYyNWIhEvCR4nz5eUxZxZfa_nNwACetxgPHR/s320/DSCN5216.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407086992524081010" /></a><br /><br /><br />When I attached the chicken wire at the bottom and at the framing around the door, I used poultry staples. (A staple gun can also be used. I find that the poulty staples are easy to use and provide a stronger hold. This is a photo of the poultry staple before it is pounded in.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6deywXzYgAiffy2SX-4v4RYfOdbXKRuIwMZeNMF99Vmwr9YZGCeODslvJSJqfLwObgNZybIDY2cQM4x7US9MlEtkMVjG_DNqGfgpE6DIy0IYTWYR-ymMJqpaRuCggW03Ewo6Avio3lB1/s1600/DSCN5214.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6deywXzYgAiffy2SX-4v4RYfOdbXKRuIwMZeNMF99Vmwr9YZGCeODslvJSJqfLwObgNZybIDY2cQM4x7US9MlEtkMVjG_DNqGfgpE6DIy0IYTWYR-ymMJqpaRuCggW03Ewo6Avio3lB1/s320/DSCN5214.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407087598101668514" /></a><br /><br /><br />For my purposes, I was ready at this point to start plastering the inside of the coop. I still needed to "tie in" the top bale to the top plate of the roof, but that wasn't on yet. <br /><br />Next post: earth plaster!Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2630293045560418896.post-60741209673190076722009-11-22T15:41:00.000-08:002010-03-15T11:35:32.204-07:00Straw Bale Coop (Part Six): Earth Plaster!(This will be my somewhat-technical post on earth plaster. If you are a friend or relative looking for muddy pictures of the kids, you want the next post!)<br />
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Earth plaster is <em>by far </em>my favorite part of working with straw bale construction. Although I am a pretty good gopher in terms of stacking, pinning, sewing, etc., earth plaster is where my talent comes through. (Which is pretty funny, since I had no idea I would be any good at it!)<br />
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For those of you familiar with Terra Dei (www.lutherlyn.com), it is plastered with two layers of cement stucco, followed by two layers of Thoro stucco. It worked well, but it was very heavy to trowel onto the bales. For Haven Homestead, we tried our hand at mixing our own earth plaster. I'll run through our basic recipe and technique for mixing earth plaster here at the homestead.<br />
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Without at doubt, this was one of our best investments: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQZKXKp8dtefe42q3-pqDoc8bHR-KpxsFkkj4j0P5SjZHFGXTaJryjrVuz9bJBF8eTW8Rt4NakiU1pOHH1mAJmP5CbnjpICX_DjTsvfhJX_V2teMrsTwAl-zqRo7ZX6ZLl_bCKub73VFr/s1600/DSCN5198.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407085005152338786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQZKXKp8dtefe42q3-pqDoc8bHR-KpxsFkkj4j0P5SjZHFGXTaJryjrVuz9bJBF8eTW8Rt4NakiU1pOHH1mAJmP5CbnjpICX_DjTsvfhJX_V2teMrsTwAl-zqRo7ZX6ZLl_bCKub73VFr/s320/DSCN5198.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
(If you were working on a small project, such as a shed or a coop, you could probably get away with renting a small cement mixer. However, it only made sense for us to purchase our own when we were building Haven.)<br />
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Fred learned our basic recipe for earth plaster from a workshop led by Sasha Rabin at Yestermorrow in Vermont. As with all good recipes, we did a little tweaking to find the perfect mixture.<br />
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<strong>Haven Homestead Earth Plaster</strong><br />
We use a 1:1:1 mixture of brown clay, mason sand, and chopped straw. Using 5 gallon buckets, we usually place two buckets of clay and two buckets of sand into the cement mixer. Once those are combined, we start adding water in small amounts. (I don't measure water when I mix. Today Fred did, and he estimates that he uses 1/2 of a 5-gallon bucket in this recipe.)<br />
Once the water is in and the mixture is really soupy, start adding two buckets of chopped straw, a few handfuls at a time. Once all the straw is added, it will be heavy enough that it will start to peel off the side of the mixer in sheets and thump into the bottom as it turns. That's how I know it's done. We use a small child's wading pool at the base of the mixer to collect the earth plaster as it's made. If you line the pool with a large sheet of plastic, you can make many batches at once and wrap the plaster up at the end of the day. It will keep for weeks stored this way.<br />
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This is a picture of the straw, chopped into 1/2" to 1" pieces. Fred accomplished this by using a chipper shredder attached to a lawn tractor. (At this point, I should note that it can be a good idea to wear a mask when chopping straw or mixing the straw into the sand/clay mixture. The straw is very dry and dusty from being chopped. If you don't wear a mask and breathe in the dust, you can end up feeling like you're coming down with bronchitis.)<br />
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This is a bucket of slip, clay mixed with water. (I make mine my putting two shovels of clay in a five gallon bucket & adding four to six inches of water. Using a mixing attachment on the drill, it's quick & easy to make.) Before you try to apply earth plaster to your bales, it is very helpful to "paint" the bales with clay slip. It helps the plaster adhere.<br />
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In the left of this photo is a pool trowel. (Masons use them when spreading the sand out in the foundation for swimming pools.) The rounded corners make a pool trowel much easier to use than a traditional trowel. Having said that, I don't usually use a trowel at all when I work with earth plaster. I use my hands.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoC5QTz5NOEkCtXTice9Atop_PIK5ZoXC-qxAcC8QOm45dFPEIcVnSKT-DW6MVJnf9B0Exh1RcKPP-xKxaWU1seMcfUpChbEf1Vjh9FaLvCUaotCG8bYGxHCt5rPUDcIpoWbIf1RDqSJQ/s1600/DSCN5203.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407082963632672738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoC5QTz5NOEkCtXTice9Atop_PIK5ZoXC-qxAcC8QOm45dFPEIcVnSKT-DW6MVJnf9B0Exh1RcKPP-xKxaWU1seMcfUpChbEf1Vjh9FaLvCUaotCG8bYGxHCt5rPUDcIpoWbIf1RDqSJQ/s320/DSCN5203.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Because the clay is so drying to your skin (and because the straw and wire can poke your fingers), I find gloves to be essential to a happy day of plastering. My favorite pairs of gloves are from Home Depot. I don't remember the brand. They were sold as ladies' gardening gloves, so they fit my hands really well. More importantly, the palms are coated with neoprene. <strong>This is very important</strong>, because if you use uncoated gloves, the plaster tends to stick to the glove instead of the wall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XgJlyd2qAkobJ6kVZnChc4u9g9TLIeIFjAgl_NcejQH1BjsjHQRdZ3Q59Jno6cdk6WaQA-7XcM6QXDQMXiSWU-LANLI3NGUPyxSYOrdoBEpj38zcS5fi7YN8VYnD7cOG60_NS2KUOMJN/s1600/DSCN5201.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407082337854159026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XgJlyd2qAkobJ6kVZnChc4u9g9TLIeIFjAgl_NcejQH1BjsjHQRdZ3Q59Jno6cdk6WaQA-7XcM6QXDQMXiSWU-LANLI3NGUPyxSYOrdoBEpj38zcS5fi7YN8VYnD7cOG60_NS2KUOMJN/s320/DSCN5201.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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My first day of plastering the chicken coop, one hour in:<br />
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Update on chicken coop cost: We are still holding tight at $252, again, only because the materials shown are left over from building our house.<br />
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Thanks again for joining me on this journey! As always, feel free to comment or ask questions if you would like more technical straw bale details.Shaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02075389514646502762noreply@blogger.com0