Framing has taken decidedly longer than expected. When work began at the end of October, we anticipated that it would take 3-4 weeks at most. Unfortunately, work has progressed slowly, there were missed days, and winter weather struck a few times. On the bright side, I’ve enjoyed seeing the house evolve when I stop by to clean up every few days. It’s very satisfying to see the rooms you envisioned take form and to gaze out newly framed views, picturing future you taking in the same scenes with a cup of tea in your finished home. I’ve also perfected my shovelling techniques and gotten lots of exercise digging out snow drifts inside our nascent home. Fingers crossed that this is the only time I have to do that in my life.

Our house will have double stud walls, making things a bit more complicated. After all the exterior walls are framed, a second wall will be built a few inches out along the interior perimeter. This wall, our mechanical wall, holds the plumbing and electrical wiring, allowing our house to be wrapped in a thick layer of continuous insulation. The walls should have an R value of 48 when all is said and done.

Our windows and doors have been waiting for us in Montreal for a few months now and I can’t wait to see them in place in the next few weeks, not least because they’ll keep the snow out! They were supposed to be delivered on site Friday, but there were some crossed wires, and the driver didn’t arrive until 4:30 pm, after the crew had packed up and left, so that will need to get sorted this week. 

After windows are installed, I’m told interior insulation comes next. Our roofers have also been raring to go for some time. It’s hard with a complicated project like this when one component holds up others. It also impacts our construction loan, which I’ll write about another time. For now, I’m basking in the winter view out my future kitchen window.