|
|
|
rafters that
run from the valley itself to an interior timber or another rafter.
The complex joinery up in the peak of this home is quite nice."
To keep the
home cozy and tight during Vermont's harsh winters, the home was
enclosed in structural insulated panels both on the walls and
roof. To help moisture
vent out of the house , Keith had an air-to-air heat exchanger
included in the home's design. This type of system is sometimes
used with homes that are tightly wrapped with insulating materials.
While panels are extremely energy efficient, they can also trap
moisture inside a home. The air-to-air heat exchanger helps eliminate some
of the moisture buildup so that it doesn't accumulate in the
walls or on the windows. This system is something that you
need to plan for in advance of building, says Keith, who explains,
"It requires some thought before the home is built because
it requires conventional ductwork to run it." Another
design feature of the home that deals with internal moisture
is a vented or cold roof. Cold roofs are actually something
that North Woods requires all of its homes to have installed
when they build them.
"We
won't guarantee our panels unless they are installed with
a cold roof," Larry says, explaining that any moisture
from inside the home that can't escape will eventually end
up in the roof, damaging the panels
|
|
 |
| Above:
Overlooking the great room, the loft leads to two of the home's
three bedrooms. With the bedrooms on opposite sides of the house,
the open hallway acts as a bridge between the two. The cathedral
ceiling reaches 22 feet up to the peak. |
| While
North Woods installed the frame and the panels, once the home
was completely closed up, Keith and Linda went to work finishing
the home themselves. Along the way they made some sacrifices,
choosing linoleum for the kitchen floor and tile for the countertops
instead of the tile flooring and granite countertops they really
wanted. But they do have plans to upgrade some of the finishes
in their home as their budget and schedules permit.
None
of that matters today, however. The couple is just happy that
they live in a beautiful timber-frame home that is comfortable
and suited to their particular needs. The best compliments
they get are from family members, who love to come and hang
out in the great room with its stately hammerbeam truss overhead.
"They all tell us," Keith says "that it's a
nice place to be." Linda and Keith are proof that no
matter what your budget is or the size home you build, what
is most important is making your dream your own and sharing
it with those you love the most. THI
For another
look at the Timber framing of North Woods Joinery, please
see their plan, featured on page 72.
|
|
