1005 West Fairview Ave

The news lately is the roof!

The roof was put on by putting a petroleum based sheathing over the roof joists/rafters. This was difficult because the sheathing isn't strong enough to hold up a person, but it's opaque, so you can't see where to put your feet so that you're walking on the joists! Then tyvek was put on top, which was difficult because it's slippery and the large rolls are hard to handle. Finally the workers decided to cut the strips on the ground and carry them up to the roof, rather thatn deal with the roll on the roof. On top of the tyvek, 2x4s were placed '4' side-down across the length of the roof. The 2x4s create a space for air to move under the roof, so that it lasts longer. Plywood was put on top of the 2x4s, and finally, feltpaper was put on top of that. A delicious roof sandwich!

The windows and doors were cut out of the sheath, and tyvek wrap, which provides a moisture barrier, was put on using special nails, spaced out to make as few breaks in the barrier as possible. Also, the tyvek must be taped along its seams. Apparently it's rare for tyvek to be put on appropriately, because I've heard more than one person remark that this is the first house they've seen where it was done right! Go team!

Rob and I put in some plants along the back fence (thanks to the Urbana Permaculture Project, www.prairienet.org/upp). It turns out there are a number of peonies there, previously buried under weeds. We cleared it out, and planted Nanking Cherries between the peonies, and a native bamboo in the southeast corner. Unfortunately, I got involved taking pictures of the house and forgot to take pictures of the plants! (Pictures are: Rob and Beth, Rob with the UPP truck and hay/mulch, the house from the west, the interior north wall, the interior south wall)