Focus on the Positive

It turned out to be a very Spring-like day. Sunny and in the low 50's. This weekend, it is supposed to be in the 60's.

No one showed up to work today. Not surprised, just disappointed. We did get an email from Drew who works with Bob (landscaping). Drew wanted to get an update, saying that their Spring schedule is filling fast. I did not know what to tell him so I suggested he contact "Our" Mike. I told Drew I did not have any idea what to expect. I also asked him to let me know what Mike told him.

The big news of the day was that I went over to the art glass shop to see our finished stained glass window. It looks good to me. Kim, at the store, said the colors were stunning! I took her word for it. I did not expect her to say it looked terrible, especially before I paid the balance of the bill. It all depends on what T thinks and I have no doubt she will be very satisfied, especially after we have paid the bill. They tacked the new stops in so that we could remove them easily and stain the bare wood between the stained glass and the thermal glass. I need to remember to discuss with them and/or Mike about the need to seal around this glass pane so that moisture does not collect between it and the thermal glass.

I could not fit the window into Kermit (Mazda) and will have to wait for Otto (Audi) to come home. T (and Otto) will be back on Saturday. We have a mixology class on Sunday. We will bring the window home Monday.

John (solar) sent an image of the signed change order increasing the number of solar panels from 30 to 32, resulting in a new total capacity of 9.6 kW.

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. 

There Goes the View

"Our" Mike and "Little" Mike showed up this morning. Mike said that Nate was under the weather. It turned out to be a cool clear day. They predicted a high today of almost 50F. Tomorrow they show a 70% probability of less than an inch of snow but much cooler with a high of 38F. The remainder of the week is supposed to be dry but cold.

Mike and Mike continued working on the sunroom roof. They installed the foam and thermal barrier on the boards they installed last week and then continued installing more 1x6 boards. The thermal barrier resembles 1/2" thick particle board with aluminum on one side. By the end of the day, they had installed almost all the 1x6 boards and had about two-thirds of the foam and thermal barrier on the south side of the roof. While happy with the progress on the roof, we are losing our view from the MIL room on the second floor.

Foam Layers

Thermal Barrier

Thermal Barrier

I sent an email to the Salt Lake City cupola manufacturer which, last week, I had sent a request for quote. As I expected, they did not get it. I therefore sent them the specifications and drawings of the sunroom and the garage. Later in the afternoon, I got a call from Bret to discuss the project. I had asked for quotes on a 36" wide cupola for the sunroom and a 60" for the garage. The model I had requested was a hexagonal design they call Estate. Bret noted that the width for the hexagonal model is measured across the flat surfaces. Assuming the hexagonal cupola will be fitted to the roof line in the manner shown below, the visible width of the cupola would be 6" wider than the stated size. Bret therefore suggested we consider a 30" cupola for the sunroom and a 48" for the garage. We received quotes for both a hexagonal (Estate) as well as a square design (Jamestown). T will evaluate them upon her return.

Estate (hexagonal)

Jamestown (square)

Mike told me that he passed on to the roofing company my displeasure with the guys who were here on Saturday to put felt on the garage. They had left nails and lumber scattered in the alley, which Spenser and I cleaned up. He said he was informed that the entire crew had been fired. When I expressed some surprise, Mike assured me that the Saturday incident was not the only incident leading to their dismissal.