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Progress Update!

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This post may seem like a repeat, and it should since the bottom story steps are practically the same. So feel free to skip the explanations and just check out the pictures if you have been following along. (Don’t forget to click on the flickr link to the right to see  all of our pictures!)

Progress:

-Metal studs were used to frame out the upstairs, we chose metal studs since they are made from recycled materials, recyclable, and weather, fire and termite proof.

-The outdoor electrical receptacles were roughed in

-Open cell spray foam, with a R-40 insulation value was applied to the top story

-Wafer board and house wrap were also installed

-The flue for the fireplace was ran on the outside of the house inside of a chase wall

-Stained cement board lap siding is currently be installed, we chose this material for its durability and design qualities

Here is a picture of some of the metal studs and the electrical:

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Spray foam application:

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Wafer board and house wrap:

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Cement board siding:

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Other progress updates include:

Our door windows were installed, now its just waiting for paint, which I’m thinking a nice retro green color.

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Matt and Tyler tested the flue’s ability to draw smoke out with success! 

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After a few more full days of siding, the inside progress should finally begin! Now I may get a chance to actually help out…

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Rain Collection

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Recently Tyler and I purchased a used, 12,000 gallon water collection tank from a guy in Claremore. Our original plans were to buy a new 2,000 gallon tank to help supplement some of our outdoor water needs, but when the larger tank showed up on craigslist for the same price, we could not pass it up. The 35ft tank will be buried behind the house, and will collect the rain to be used inside and outside the house.

Here is a picture of our new tank, it will require just a little rehab work before we can use it. There is a hole we need to patch, and the inside had to be cleaned and scrubbed.

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Here is a picture of the inside of the tank before Tyler cleaned it:

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And here it is after:

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Our roof, given 1 inch of rain will yield 1,108 gallons of water. So with our area’s precipitation average at about 46 inches per year, we should be able to collect enough water to make our purchase worth it. Some benefits of rain water harvesting would include:

-Rainwater is a relatively clean and free source of water

-It is environmentally responsible

-It promotes self-sufficiency and helps conserve water

-It is better for landscape plants due to its lack of Chlorine

-It reduces stormwater runoff

-It can provide an excellent back-up source of water for emergencies (like a Zombie Apocalypse perhaps)

Here is a diagram to show how rain water harvesting works:

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When it rains the water from the roof will flow through the downspouts into a filter screen and into the tank underground. An electric pump will then send the rain water from the tank to a valve box. This valve will automatically switch from rainwater to city water when the tank gets to a preset level. The water will go through a final system of filters before use.

La Roof

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Well….. It’s been a while since I posted last… a.k.a. Way Too Long. So here is part 1 of 3 of our recent progress.

Our roof arrived, in many pieces of course, and as you can tell from the trees in the picture, it wasn’t yesterday.  Our roof consists of a few different pieces, including: perlins, sheet metal roof, trim, guttering, sofits, huge beams, and one downspout which will take our water to our rain barrels. We chose to go with metal, not just to go along with our theme of a seemingly all metal house, but because of its benefits. Some of these benefits would include:  heat reflection off our white sheet metal roof, low to no maintenance, will last a lifetime, and it will allow us to maximize our water collection, with little debris, for storing and using in our gardens.

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The installation took a few days due to the windy and rainy weather. The steps for installation were to weld the three beams to the top containers. These beams cantilever over the deck, giving us protection from rain and the elements while we enjoy our outdoor living space.

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Here is a picture showing the perlins installed. After this step the insulation was put in place,  sheet metal roof was screwed on, and the trim was installed along with the guttering on the back side, and the downspout for rain collection.

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The next step was to paint the beams to match the trim. After painting the beams the sofit was then installed, which is a charcoal grey color, which we thought would be a nice contrast from the lighter grey trim and beams.

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Six LED can lights were then added to the sofit to give us light on the deck. Here is a picture of the final product. Our next steps are to stud out the top story, spray foam insulation, and install wafer board and house wrap to prepare for the upstairs windows. (These steps have already happened, I will make another post soon with those pictures)

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With the left over grey paint we had we went ahead and painted our carport “storage” container.


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The next posts will include: Stud installation, spray foam, wafer board, and maybe a sneak peek at some of our siding!

Vintage Finds

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As most of you know, Tyler and I are a little obsessed with all things vintage. So naturally our house will be filled with our vintage finds. Our lastest find was a Broyhill Brasilia dining set, a popular mid-century modern design. We  purchased 10 chairs total, 4 armchairs and 6 side chairs, as well as a large table with 3 leaves, that extends to seat 10, and a china hutch to match. Needless to say, we were in L.O.V.E.

Here is a picture of what the table and chairs look like, (These are not ours, because sadly ours went into hiding.. aka storage)

Credit: http://theculturalpsychologist.blogspot.com/2011/05/broyhill-brasilia-dining-room-suite.html

Here is a picture of our china hutch (sorry not the best picture)

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The Table and the china hutch need some refinishing: for example the white you see on the china cabinet will have to be stripped off and restained, same goes for our dining table.

But… can you imagine my new/old Franciscan Silver Pine China set I found, displayed in this case during winter, I can, and I Cant Wait.

Here is a small place setting of my 40 piece set that I found at an estate sale for an amazing price.

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Now I have been contemplating what light fixture would look best above this spectacular piece of furniture, and I have decided on..

Maybe a George Nelson, or George Nelson inspired Saucer Light:

Credit: http://www.grassrootsmodern.com/2009/01/28/new-ikea-365-items/

So there is a run down of our current dining room design ideas. Check back soon (well I say that) for an house update. The Stone is currently being layed, and our fireplace is taking shape!

No Longer Topless.. Thank Goodness

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Lots of things are happening at the Bright Container House! Take a look at some of the work:

After the last three containers arrived, Tyler and Matt began cutting the openings in between the containers and grinding them smooth. The exterior openings wont be cut until right before the spray foam and wafer board is up, so it stays dry… (Lesson Well Learned)

The opening for the stairway was cut out of the floor of the container and braced with 6 inch angle iron. (Here is Matt conquering that task)

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The insulation was sprayed on the bottom half of the containers, using an open cell foam. The open cell foam has better sound deadening properties then other types of insulation, and has an equivelant R-Value of 40. (pretty dang good in layman’s terms.)

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Wafer board is up:

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Holes were made through the concrete, using this core driller, to allow plumbing vents and air conditioning lines to pass through.

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Plumbing was roughed in for the upstairs bathroom and vents for downstairs were tied into one. (Here is a picture of some of the plumbing, I’ll add more once I figure out where those pictures went)

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Square tubing was bolted to the bottom floor by drilling through the concrete and steel beams. The containers then set on top of the tubing and will be welded into place.

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The Crane truck arrived early last Thursday morning to set our last containers

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The Crane truck getting in position…

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The first container on its way up with direction from Tyler and other helpers on the ground.

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Manuevering it into postion.

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Matt using his manly sledgehammer force to bump it into place..

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Now multiply these steps by 3…

And you get … A SUCCESSFULL TOP STORY INSTALL.
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Thanks to lots of family and friends for making all this possible. (My mom and Sheilah were also there just not pictured)

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P.S.

If you are interested in knowing any more of the nitty gritty details, feel free to email Tyler at Tylerbright@me.com.

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Our bottom story windows are currently being installed, so check back to see those exciting photos! Also, I will try to start updating weekly now since a lot is happening quickly. (but who really knows with me)

Look at Those Studs

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Look at those studs, and no, I am not talking about Tyler and Matt, (sorry Tyler).

Check ’em out (but excuse the mess… it’s a construction site)

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The master bedroom extension:

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The back wall with the fireplace and windows (can you picture the rendering yet?)

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Our electrical panel was installed, and electric was ran to the exterior walls to prepare the house for insulation and wafer board.

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Here is Kent and Tyler’s homemade electrical wire reel… A “Bright” idea.

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(I just had to have outlets on both sides of the front door for Christmas decorations … I know, I’m difficult)

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To protect the house from moisture under the containers before it is completley dried in, Tyler sealed the bottoms with spray foam. (Like 22 cans of it)

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And some other exciting news: We got our final three containers, some of our windows arrived, and the insulation was sprayed yesterday!