Insulation Begins

Insulation started late last week, with the first application of a polystyrene spray that coats the inside of all the exterior walls (that green stuff you see in the photos below).  The thickness is about 1 inch after the spray dries.  This provides at least three benefits.  First, it's nearly an air-tight seal, so it will help reduce drafts that can sneak through the walls (very important for the chilly Phoenix winters).  Second, the seal is an effective bug barrier to help keeps bugs from finding cracks and crawling through. Finally, it's a smallish R-value, but better than nothing, so that helps assist the next stage of insulation to keep the heat out which will help with electricity bills.

The White House

The workers have nearly completed the underlayment for the stucco, which includes a layer of heavy dark felt followed by an inch or so of styrofoam backer.  The styrofoam is white, which transforms the house from its previous woody framed appearance to this nearly-igloo white color.  It really stands out in the neighborhood now.  Today they were applying the chicken wire to the white styrofoam, which will hold the stucco coat that lays on top.

Let There Be Snow!

Taking a look at this photo (especially full size), one might imagine there was a lovely snowfall the night before, right in the desert of Phoenix!  Fortunately, it's not snow, but the handiwork of the roofers and their spray foam that covers the entire roof in a thick coat of waterproof and heat-reflective insulation.  The foam, now that it's dry, is quite firm and durable to the harsh elements.  It should last for a very long time.

The little pipes, which are covered with some of the foam, are the supports for the solar panels that will be coming later.

Windows Installed

The workers installed all the windows on the house yesterday.  Here are some photos.

Electrical Hookup In Progress

This week, the electrician started the hook-up of the electrical to the Utility box.  The actual electrical hookup, with live wires, is done by SRP (Salt River Project), later.  This shows the conduit connecting to the Electrical panel, going under the street to the electrical box owned by SRP.

The electrician also has pulled most of the wires to the sub-panel in the garage.  It's exciting progress!

Electrical Conduit Connecting Street to House Electrical Panel

Wires coming from Main Electrical Panel and going to House

Wires Pulled into Sub-Panel in Garage

Plumbing Rough

The framing for the house has completed, so now the mechanical, plumbing and electrical are proceeding. The plumber has nearly completed all of the rough-in for the pipes throughout the house.  Here are some photos of the pipes.

Pipes in the Laundry Room

Kitchen Pipes, looking up from Garage Underneath

Master Shower Valves

Pipes Over the Master Shower Connecting to Shower Heads

Hot Water Regulator for Master Bathtub

Master Bathroom Distribution Point 

Main Water Supply and House Distribution

House Distribution, Coming from Basement

Sunset From Melody

Not too much visible progress to report on the house. The framers are still finishing up.  We met with the Electrician and Light Lady today to verify the light placement on the plans.  After finalizing with them, we were treated to this nice sunset.