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California 2018

The 2018 FHB House is a net-zero energy, high-performance home in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills designed to meet the goals of the California 2020 initiative and comply with the most progressive energy code in the country. The project combines a very tight, well-insulated envelope, cutting-edge mechanical systems, and unique material choices, all wrapped up in a one-of-a-kind modern design.

Staging a Construction Project for Multiple Labor Cycles

Setting up scaffolding for the duration of the job saves time on high-performance wall assemblies

By David Good

We own our scaffolding because we build with exterior insulation—and this adds several labor cycles before we get to the siding. Our air barrier is the exterior plywood with either the seams taped (like on the roof) or an adhesive WRB (like we used on the walls). Adding the exterior insulation adds several more labor cycles: first there’s one for the exterior custom window flashing (“jamb extensions”). Then there are two more for the two layers of staggered insulation. On our house we added a secondary WRB over the insulation so that was another pass around the house. For the areas with cedar siding we had rain screen battens to install, siding to put up, and then a last pass to stain the cedar. For the facades with metal cladding, the standing seam metal when directly over the secondary WRB.

With our elevated pan-deck we were working off of scaffolding before we poured the slab!

 

Another scaffolding level is added for sheathing the walls and applying the air barrier. The master bedroom deck will provide the work platform for the highest section of the house.

 

Before we can install the exterior insulation there are flashing details to look after. This is a custom made “jamb extension” that reaches out to the plane of the siding.

 

After nailing up two layers of insulation, there are more details before the siding is installed, including gutters and downspouts.

 

The two levels of scaffolding the length of the entire house was really helpful when it came time to install the tall standing seam metal cladding pieces across the back.

More from the California FHB House project:

  • Why Do Most Passive House Projects Use European Windows?
  • The California FHB House Framing in Pictures
  • Air-Sealing a High-Performance House

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View Comments

  1. deletesnapchat | Nov 14, 2018 01:54am | #1

    It saves time on high-performance wall assemblies

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