Snow Slows Work on the GreenHouse

Heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures hit Chicago in December and set the GreenHouse schedule back as far as 2 1/2 weeks. After having built in the area for many years, however, builder Scott Sevon knew to anticipate delays caused by inclement weather and he built some leeway into the schedule. He simply didn't quite expect that much weather. Meteorologists say Chicago experienced its second coldest December on record in 2000. And, accord-ing to the Chicago Tribune, enough snow fell during December's first snowfall to keep the Public Works Department in Glen Ellyn, where the GreenHouse is located, working around the clock for 4 1/2 days.

Sevon said he ended up with several short work days around the holidays because it was too cold for the crew to work on the roof. Right now, the roof is the main focus of construction and there is a lot of action at the front of the home where the hips, ridges and valleys come together. The roof construction, although slightly behind schedule, is being done faster, simpler and with less waste than some roofs with the use of precut joists and rafters cut espe-cially for the GreenHouse by the house's panelizer Walnut Homes. Once the roof is on, probably by the end of January, Sevon says he will be able to make up for lost time rather quickly.

An important innovation at the GreenHouse, and on almost all the homes Sevvonco builds, is the Weather Watch leak barrier from GAF Materials Corporation. It is essentially a snow and ice shield that lays just below the shingles and prevents moisture from getting into the house and causing structural problems or possible risks to indoor air quality by allowing the growth of molds and mildew. It works by melting around the nails and thus sealing any gaps in protection provided by the felt paper. Weather Watch is being applied within six feet of the edge of the gutters, as well as in the valleys.
 

Meanwhile, work continues inside the home, when possible. Space heaters in the basement have kept the ground from freezing as that level is worked on. A layer of 1-in. Pactiv foam insulating board was laid over pea gravel in the basement. The foam board, made from recycled material, retains heat, making it energy efficient. When it is taped properly, it keeps radon gas and moisture out-a requirement of the Health House. On top of the foam, mesh and a Visqueen vapor barrier are applied, with all the seams and posts taped and ready for the radiant floor heating system by Wirsbo. After the radiant floor heating installation, the slab can be poured and the home's boilers installed.