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— Installing the Roofing
When it comes to roofing, an additional step is needed for those that live in colder regions. There, the first thing to go down on the roof deck is an adhesive impermeable membrane, which is placed along all the eaves. This membrane prevents any ice-dam-trapped water from backing up under the shingles during the winter. It costs more than asphalt paper or roofers felt, but it’s definitely worth it in the long run. Once it is put into place, asphalt paper is applied to the rest of the deck.
Roof covering is the next step. Asphalt shingles are most common. They are designed to last 25 or 30 years, although longer-lasting (thicker) shingles are available. Additional roof-covering choices include clay tiles, slate, cedar shakes and sheet metal. Prices will vary among them.
— Putting Exterior Trim in Place
Now that the skeleton of the home is in place, it’s time to give the home some skin: exterior trim. This step often is performed while the roofers still are working on the roof. The same sheathing material used on the roof is used to cover the bare exterior-framing studs. At this time, a vapor barrier is stapled to the sheathing to help prevent moisture and air from seeping in and rotting the studs. This is also when the windows and doors are installed as well as fascia and soffit boards.
Exterior cladding is the next step in the exterior trim process. This could be cedar siding, stucco, brick, stone, vinyl or cement fiber siding. Once the cladding is up, gutters can be installed. Keep in mind; it’s a good idea to wait until the roof is complete before you begin installing the gutters. You wouldn’t want a workers ladder to ruin your new gutter system.
— Installing Mechanical Systems
The mechanical systems include your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, better known as HVAC systems. This procedure is completed in two steps. The first step requires the workers to install the internal components that will be hidden once your house is complete. These components include your house’s water pipes, ducts and wiring. The second step is when the subcontractors return at a later date and time to install the light and water fixtures and heat registers.
— Insulating the Home
Insulation is a huge step in the building process, and it plays an important role in the comfort of your home, not to mention energy savings. This step requires the exterior wall cavities between the studs to be filled with whatever type of insulation you specify. Popular choices include fiberglass batts and blown cellulose, but a growing number of homebuilders are using foam insulation as well.
For those of you interested in “Green Building,” there are environmentally friendly insulation choices. A popular choice is UltraTouch, a batt-type insulation made from reclaimed cotton. Other choices include insulation made from newspaper and low-density concrete.
— Putting up Drywall
It is now time for the drywall. Drywall is hung or nailed to your interior walls and ceilings, providing more structure to your home. After the drywall is hung, you will notice the builders spreading a thin, fibrous tape over the seams between the sheets. Joint compound then is spread over the tape. Typically, about three coats of the compound are applied, allowed to dry and sanded smooth before the walls are ready for the final step. It is now your turn to decide what kind of walls you want. Do you want to paint, wallpaper or apply a textured effect to your walls? If you aren’t going to paint or wallpaper, now is the time when you can have a texture applied to your walls as a nice finishing touch.
— Putting Interior Trim in Place
Interior trim begins with your doors. Lengths of trim wood are applied to the outside edges of the door openings and base molding pieces are applied to the walls where they meet the floor. Crown moldings cover the walls where they meet the ceiling. Once the door trims are finished, other trim pieces, such as stair rails and fireplace mantels are installed.
— Painting and Staining
It is now time for the painting and staining processes. Any trim pieces that were installed unfinished can be painted or stained, and any untextured walls can be painted or wallpapered. Make sure you prepare all of the areas that you plan to paint or stain. Sometimes the drywallers leave compound joint on the walls, and it should be filed down before you paint or stain.
— Adding Finish Work
The end is almost in sight! It is now time to bring in your beautiful kitchen and bath cabinets and maybe that granite countertop you’ve always wanted. The tiles, the carpet, the blinds and curtains, the appliances, the furniture and all the other aesthetic touches are now finding a place within your new walls. This is also the time when the subcontractors come back to install the heat registers and light and water fixtures.
— Doing Cleanup and Landscaping
The final steps include installing your driveway and/or sidewalk, creating the landscaping and beginning the cleanup process. Try saving a few bucks and tackling the cleanup on your own. This process can be made easy if you call your garbage company and have them drop off one of those oversized trash receptacles to throw away any remaining debris that you find.
Green Building Tips
The San Francisco Bay Area is at the forefront of “green” innovations in all aspects of life, and luckily people everywhere are beginning to understand the importance of recycling. Some are consistent about separating brown and green glassware, saving the cans, bagging the newspapers and rinsing out empty milk cartons before carelessly disposing of their collection. Many even choose appliances and products for their homes that are environmentally friendly.
When it comes to roofing, an additional step is needed for those that live in colder regions. There, the first thing to go down on the roof deck is an adhesive impermeable membrane, which is placed along all the eaves. This membrane prevents any ice-dam-trapped water from backing up under the shingles during the winter. It costs more than asphalt paper or roofers felt, but it’s definitely worth it in the long run. Once it is put into place, asphalt paper is applied to the rest of the deck.
Roof covering is the next step. Asphalt shingles are most common. They are designed to last 25 or 30 years, although longer-lasting (thicker) shingles are available. Additional roof-covering choices include clay tiles, slate, cedar shakes and sheet metal. Prices will vary among them.
— Putting Exterior Trim in Place
Now that the skeleton of the home is in place, it’s time to give the home some skin: exterior trim. This step often is performed while the roofers still are working on the roof. The same sheathing material used on the roof is used to cover the bare exterior-framing studs. At this time, a vapor barrier is stapled to the sheathing to help prevent moisture and air from seeping in and rotting the studs. This is also when the windows and doors are installed as well as fascia and soffit boards.
Exterior cladding is the next step in the exterior trim process. This could be cedar siding, stucco, brick, stone, vinyl or cement fiber siding. Once the cladding is up, gutters can be installed. Keep in mind; it’s a good idea to wait until the roof is complete before you begin installing the gutters. You wouldn’t want a workers ladder to ruin your new gutter system.
— Installing Mechanical Systems
The mechanical systems include your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, better known as HVAC systems. This procedure is completed in two steps. The first step requires the workers to install the internal components that will be hidden once your house is complete. These components include your house’s water pipes, ducts and wiring. The second step is when the subcontractors return at a later date and time to install the light and water fixtures and heat registers.
— Insulating the Home
Insulation is a huge step in the building process, and it plays an important role in the comfort of your home, not to mention energy savings. This step requires the exterior wall cavities between the studs to be filled with whatever type of insulation you specify. Popular choices include fiberglass batts and blown cellulose, but a growing number of homebuilders are using foam insulation as well.
For those of you interested in “Green Building,” there are environmentally friendly insulation choices. A popular choice is UltraTouch, a batt-type insulation made from reclaimed cotton. Other choices include insulation made from newspaper and low-density concrete.
— Putting up Drywall
It is now time for the drywall. Drywall is hung or nailed to your interior walls and ceilings, providing more structure to your home. After the drywall is hung, you will notice the builders spreading a thin, fibrous tape over the seams between the sheets. Joint compound then is spread over the tape. Typically, about three coats of the compound are applied, allowed to dry and sanded smooth before the walls are ready for the final step. It is now your turn to decide what kind of walls you want. Do you want to paint, wallpaper or apply a textured effect to your walls? If you aren’t going to paint or wallpaper, now is the time when you can have a texture applied to your walls as a nice finishing touch.
— Putting Interior Trim in Place
Interior trim begins with your doors. Lengths of trim wood are applied to the outside edges of the door openings and base molding pieces are applied to the walls where they meet the floor. Crown moldings cover the walls where they meet the ceiling. Once the door trims are finished, other trim pieces, such as stair rails and fireplace mantels are installed.
— Painting and Staining
It is now time for the painting and staining processes. Any trim pieces that were installed unfinished can be painted or stained, and any untextured walls can be painted or wallpapered. Make sure you prepare all of the areas that you plan to paint or stain. Sometimes the drywallers leave compound joint on the walls, and it should be filed down before you paint or stain.
— Adding Finish Work
The end is almost in sight! It is now time to bring in your beautiful kitchen and bath cabinets and maybe that granite countertop you’ve always wanted. The tiles, the carpet, the blinds and curtains, the appliances, the furniture and all the other aesthetic touches are now finding a place within your new walls. This is also the time when the subcontractors come back to install the heat registers and light and water fixtures.
— Doing Cleanup and Landscaping
The final steps include installing your driveway and/or sidewalk, creating the landscaping and beginning the cleanup process. Try saving a few bucks and tackling the cleanup on your own. This process can be made easy if you call your garbage company and have them drop off one of those oversized trash receptacles to throw away any remaining debris that you find.
Green Building Tips
The San Francisco Bay Area is at the forefront of “green” innovations in all aspects of life, and luckily people everywhere are beginning to understand the importance of recycling. Some are consistent about separating brown and green glassware, saving the cans, bagging the newspapers and rinsing out empty milk cartons before carelessly disposing of their collection. Many even choose appliances and products for their homes that are environmentally friendly.
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