Progress Report: Raise the (Metal) Roof!

Half of our metal roofing is up. And so is one solar hot water panel. One step closer to looking like a ‘real’ home!


Our metal roof comes from Ideal Roofing, a company based out of Ottawa, Ontario. We chose the Americana roofing series in the color tan, which is Energy Star certified. The roof profile--not the color--looks like this: (Photo courtesy Ideal Roofing)


Metal roofs are known to be long lasting--sealing out water, resisting high winds and easily shedding snow. They are also resistant to fire, insects, rot and mildew. Our roof comes with a 40-year limited warranty.

Unlike roofs made of asphalt/fiberglass, wood, tile, and other materials, metal roofs have a high radiant heat reflectivity. In the summer, the roof will reflect radiant heat from the sun to reduce how much heat is transferred inside the house. In the winter, heat from under the roof is reflected back into the house, making it warmer. This reflected heat also helps the roof shed snow and ice buildup evenly and quickly.

The spray foam insulation underneath our roof has an R-49 value. Click here for more information on R-values. Also, this page on the U.S. Department of Energy site helps you find out how much insulation your house should have, based on your location in the U.S.

Progress Report: Pouring Foundation

Last week, Presby made giant leaps with our home construction. Say goodbye to our vacant "camping spot" and hello to our future basement walls!

Since our lot is steeply sloped, the week started with building a ramp for the concrete trucks to sit on while they poured the concrete.

On Friday, concrete was poured into the forms that were set earlier in the week.

Below, the Presby crew supervises the concrete as it travels down the trough into the preset forms. The line you see off to the left side of the photo will be the height of our first floor, deck and a majority of windows that will capture the low-hanging winter sun.

In the pictures below, the crew is moving the concrete down the wall in the forms as far as they can.


Once the foundation is poured, the exterior walls will have spray foam applied--the first step to making our home super-insulated.