Getting Closer to Being Under Roof

We did not get the snow expected last night, but it looks like we may get some tonight. It started misting this afternoon and the temperatures are falling. Lows tonight in the mid-teens. High tomorrow in the 20's.

"Our" Mike, "Little" Mike and Nate, returned this morning to work on the sunroom roof. They completed the boards, foam and thermal barrier on the south side and got about 2/3 of the boards installed on the north side before quitting around 3pm. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and they can get the north side finished this week. They still have the roof over the connecting porch to frame. I asked Mike if he had an estimate of when they might be installing the shingles. I got a vague response indicating maybe, perhaps, possibly next week, weather permitting. 

With the south roof on, it is much easier to envision the impact the glass roof will have. The vaulted girder truss follows where the glass roof will attach to the gable. 

Two Layers of Foam on the South Face at the Roof Peak

South Roof On, Girder Truss Shows Contour of Glass Roof

"Little" Mike on North Roof

I sent a note to Brent (cupola) today thanking him for the two quotes he sent yesterday. After checking with T, I said we were leaning toward the Estate (hexagonal) model with a 30" on the sunroom and a 48" on the garage. I also asked a number of questions. I got a phone call from Brent this afternoon with the answers to the questions.

QUESTION: Can you provide some input on the virtues of your aluminum cladding approach versus the vinyl approach I see so predominantly offered by your competitors?

RESPONSE: The main difference between the vinyl and aluminum construction is the greater thermal expansion/contraction characteristics of the vinyl.

QUESTION: How do you recommend we make our color decision so we can coordinate with the rest of the building?

RESPONSE: They can send us samples of any colors in which we are interested. Alternately, their colors are the same as aluminum siding used in the cupola manufacture. One of their main siding manufacturers is Alcoa/Mastic which is commonly carried by ABC Supply. If we have an ABC store in our area (we have several), we can go to one and see the color options.

QUESTION: What is the expected delivery time once an order has been placed?

RESPONSE: If an order was placed now, the delivery would be in two or three weeks.

QUESTION: What payment options and schedule do you offer?

RESPONSE: They accept checks or credit cards, no Bitcoins. Typically they get full payment up front but would work with us if we wish to pay half up front and the second half upon delivery.

We also discussed the installation. He suggested we consider installing a curb on which the cupola will be mounted. He said this is not mandatory, but the benefit is a installation with a much lower potential for leakage. He recommended reviewing their installation literature. He said they could either fabricate the curbs and send them to us or provide the carpenter with the necessary measurements. I told Brent I would bring this with Mike's attention, and encourage Mike to contact Brent to discuss and coordinate. I subsequently did talk to Mike and sent him a followup email with Brent's contact information. I copied Brent on the email.

I also asked Brent about lightning protection on their cupolas. He said that their company does not provide this as a standard option and suggested we talk to our electrician.

Got an email from John (solar) stating that they have concluded that a 60" garage cupola will still allow room for the 30 solar panels. In fact he said, if we wanted to do so, we can add two more panels upping the rating on the system to 9.6 kW. I responded that while the final size of the garage cupola is still being considered, it will not be larger than 60". I also gave him the green light to send us a change order to add two more panels. That change order was sent this evening.