Staircase Installation

The stairs are built and installed! Yay! 

Before we go there, let's have a little lesson in the anatomy of a staircase...

That long piece of wood that runs from the landing to the second floor? That's called a Stringer.

The horizontal boards you step upon as you ascend the stairs? That's called a Tread. 

The vertical board that connects the treads is called the Riser. 

That little "lip" of Tread that sticks out over the Riser is called the Stair Nosing. 

Lastly, and not yet installed (because I haven't made up my mind as to their look) would be the Baluster and Handrail. 

Keeping with a more modern, fresh approach to a traditional Shingle, I wanted to do a glass baluster and wood handrail combo. When we got the quote and then looked back at what was budgeted for the stairs, the idea was squashed in a nano-second and Plan B was put into place. No glass baluster for this house. See? I'm being sensible. 

Since the stringer is being painted, it was built in Pine. The treads and risers are White Oak. 

From foyer to second floor….

And from basement to first floor.

Basement stairs (another view)

Warm & Sorta Cozy…Finally

 The house is insulated! The heat is ON! Amen to that! 

We opted to use spray foam insulation instead of traditional fiberglass and are so happy we did. 

Yes, spray foam insulation is more expensive than fiberglass, but it is also more effective in keeping the  warmth inside the house (during the colder months) where it belongs. Traditional fiberglass traps heat inside tiny glass fibers, while "closed cell" foam provides a barrier not only again air loss, but also moisture and vapor. As the drywall installers work inside the house these past few weeks, the thermostat has been set in the low 60's - and it is toasty warm in the house. We may have paid a premium for foam insulation, but for a house this size, and with lots of glass and exposure, it was well worth the investment!

So what does spray foam look like, exactly? Here are a few photos of the insulated exterior walls prior to drywall. After application, the foam hardens and is then "shaved" to create a flat service upon which the drywall is attached. 

Mudroom

Breakfast Room into Kitchen (lots of windows/exposure)

Foyer

My son's Bedroom/Loft (two-sided exposure)

My Husband's Office (three-sided exposure)

Guest Suite #1

About a week later, they began the drywall insulation and finished the interior wall insulation:

Master Bedroom