Archive for the ‘Energy Efficiency’ Category

Tim Van Wormer applying silicone to the plywood backer board.

We are using Eagle HarborMaster Windows – special thanks to Chris Burgess of Eagle Windows for helping us with our order!  The construction and glazing of these windows is designed to stand up to a hurricane.   Testing  includes firing a 2×4 into the glass (the wood is shot out of a canon at 50 feet per second) and repeated pressure changes (up to 9,000 cycles) to simulate hurricane conditions. Needless to say – we want to put them in right.

First we use a laser level to establish a line that runs all around the building.   Next, we build out around the windows with 1/2 plywood to allow the siding to properly align with the trim.   Then two beads of silicone caulk are applied to the plywood and the window is set and fastened through the nailing flanges.

Window fastened through nailing flanges

After the window is nailed to the wall the entire nailing flange and backer board is covered with Vycor – a thick piece of rubber backed with adhesive.  While the window is being installed from the outside Breck Tully makes sure that everything is square and true on the inside.

Finally the window is fastened to the  framing with metal straps that are visible in the inside photograph.  The straps are to prevent the windows from blowing out of the building due to the severe low pressure that accompanies a hurricane.

Breck Tully centering the window

Vycor over the window flange

Applying the Fascia

Time to button up the outside of the building.   Fascia, roofing, windows, siding and trim – in that order.  We are using Nu-Cedar siding, a product made out of 20% recycled PVC  that is painted to our specifications and installed with screws and plugs.   We are very excited about being one of the first projects in RI to use this system.  We have twice visited the factory and met numerous times in the field with Nu-Cedar’s technical reps to learn how best to use this product on our site.

The roof is being shingled with Energy Star asphalt shingles that are designed to reflect the sun and keep the building cooler in the summer heat.   The flat roofs over the beer cooler and wine storage room are being roofed with white TPO, also a highly reflective and durable roofing.

We are committed to making our building sensibly green and examine both the imediate and long term  cost of each product and system we use.

You shouldn’t have to go into the red to build green.

Tommy (LT) and Ryan finishing the tower

The project is about to turn the corner as we finish setting the last of the Climate-Block panels.  But first we have to construct the tower and stairwell that will serve the mezzanine areas. Tricky angles, tough cuts, and a fair amount of head scratching, but we got it right.

We constantlly make adjustments in the field and architect Megan Moynihan is often on site (in this case on the roof) working with the team and figuring out the best way to take what is on paper and bring it to life.

Tim Van Wormer and Megan Moynihan

The Charlestown Package Store will be heated and cooled by a geothermal system drawing water from three 450 foot deep wells.   Today we began drilling the first of the wells.

The first phase, until we hit bedrock at about 125 feet, involves digging the hole and keeping the hole open with drilling mud.   Once we hit bedrock we will set an 8 inch pipe into the hole and pump the mud out. (Yes, this is similar mud to what is being used to try to stop the runaway oil well in the Gulf of Mexico).   After we pump the mud out, we will attach a 6 inch bit and drill down through the bedrock to 450 feet.

The constant temperature of the water we pull from the wells will allow us to heat and cool the building efficiently and without using any gas or oil.   We will have more on the design and workings of the geothermal system in a future post.