Friday, May 9, 2008

Finally, a start!


After 3 weeks of waiting for rains to stop, groundwater to recede and the sun to come out, we have a block foundation. Of course, it started to rain in the middle of the block work, but the crew persevered and we are now ready to begin phase 3 of the foundation.

We will be backfilling with gravel to the top of the cinderblocks. Then we'll pour a 5 inch slab of concrete on top of that. We'll have pex in it for radiant heat and the slab will be the floor of the addition. It'll be a great thermal mass. In the winter, the sun will heat it up and it will also absorb heat from the woodstove, releasing it overnight, as well as having the option of being heated radiantly when its really cold or if we are away. In the summer, the sun will be blocked by pergolas/ivy and the concrete floor will stay cooler, helping to lower the room temp.

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