A Lesson on Insulation

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Earlier we covered the topic of ice dams.  The culprit of many ice dams can be poor insulation in the attic.  Now that the warm weather is on its way it may seem this problem can wait another season but poor insulation can also mean a hotter house on warm days.  The question now arises: how do I best insulate my attic?  There are many different ways this can be done.  Below is a list of popular insulation materials.  Usually a combination of insulation types is used in a home.

Type Material Appearance Pros Cons
Fiberglass   Glass Fibrous wool / cotton candy.  Can be pink, yellow, or white, depending on manufacturer. Easy to install, inexpensive Dangerous to breathe (wear a mask when installing), heat and moisture compromise quality, mice will nest in it.
Rockwool (new version)  Minerals Grey wool blanket Easy to install, more airtight, safe to install by heat sources, can get wet, nontoxic environmentally friendly material More expensive than fiberglass insulation (10% or more)
Foam Board    Polyurethane Foam boards that can be blue, grey, or pink depending on manufacturer. Easy to install where appropriate. Rigid insulation is not appropriate for every part of the home.
Blown Insulation    Made out of various materials including cellulous, fiberglass, and minerals White fluff Spreads evenly, fills in between outlets, wires, pipes and ductwork, and eliminates gaps in insulation.  Good for attic floor. Need professional with equipment to install.
BIB (Blown in Blanket)  Fiberglass, fabric White fluff held in place by fabric sheets. Fills space between studs very well. Need professional with special equipment to install.
Spray Foam (Open Cell)   Chemical combination. Made up of broken, unclosed bubbles.  Soft consistency Shaving cream Inexpensive, fills space well, water can pass through (can be con if you want it to block water) Need professional to install, R-Value is very good, but closed cell is better (see below)
Spray Foam(Closed Cell) Chemical combinationMade up of dense, closed bubbles.  Denser, harder consistency. Shaving cream High R value, water and air cannot pass through Need professional to install, more expensive than open cell
Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass Insulation

When looking at insulation you are going to see a lot of talk about “R-Value”.  According to EnergyStar.gov, R-Value is “a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it.”  The higher the R-Value the more effective the insulation.  A chart on the same website shows homes in Maine to require insulation with an R-Value of 49-60 for the attic walls and 30-60 for the floor, depending on the current amount of insulation in the attic.

 

http://howtohomeinsulation.com/insulation_basics_types_insulation.html

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table

Tour of the Future Home of Jackson Memorial Library

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This past Saturday the Jackson Memorial Library staff and volunteers got a look at JML’s future home when they toured the building that was the home of the former Grace Youth Center.  Inside rooms were still being framed out, but one could imagine the new layout which will include a spacious Community Room with a kitchen, gallery space, Children’s Room and Media/Teen Room on the main floor.  The front of the building has been extended to create a welcoming entranceway and space for the new collection and the circulation desk and staff area.  An elevator will be installed as well to provide easy access to the lower level, which will house the adult stacks and the book store.

Pictured are photos Maine Coast Construction Senior VP Mark De Michele snapped during the tour.

After seeing the new space Library Director Yvonne Gloede commented, “As a community we are incredibly fortunate to benefit from the gracious gift of this building from the Grace Foundation. Now that we see the space taking shape, we realize that this gift will allow the library to serve more members of the community in new ways and become an ever more valuable asset to the Town of St. George.”

Starting in the fall of 2012, Maine Coast Construction has been renovating the former Grace Youth Center in Tenants Harbor to be St. George’s new library. The building is only five-years-old and is over 9,000 square feet situated on 8 acres of land. It is located right next to the St. George School at 71 Main Street.

Today is Bob Davee Day!

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Bob on the JobRobert "Bob" DaveeBobIn 1984, the town of Camden, Maine proclaimed March 13th to be Robert L. Davee Day in recognition of his community service.  Robert (known by friends and coworkers as Bob) is the majority owner of Maine Coast Construction.

When he received the award, Bob said it was “Absolutely a total surprise.”

Bob is a ’59 graduate of University of Maine, Orono with a degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as a ’69 graduate of the Worchester Polytechnical Institute School of Industrial Management.   After working a number of years as an engineer in Ohio and Massachusetts, Bob became a partner with Dave Montgomery and Gilbert Laite of the Allen Development Corporation and together they founded L&M Construction in Camden, Maine in 1968.  In 1969 he became President of L&M and renamed the business Maine Coast Construction, becoming the sole owner in 1995.

Bob served the Town of Camden, Maine as Selectman and Planning Board Chairman. During that time he wrote the first Zoning Ordinance, reorganized the Camden Snow Bowl, wrote and delivered the application to obtain Curtis Island through the Federal Parks and Recreation Commission, worked with Frank Sterns to obtain and install the sludge dewatering system at the sewerage treatment plant, and established the first Town appropriation for the improvement and development of the Opera House Building.

Bob also founded Mid Coast Children’s Services (an organization that provides early intervention and training for very young handicapped) with Davene Faye and served as the charter president for 15 years.

Bob has served as the President of the Camden Community Health Care Center, Vice-president of Northeast Health, President of Health Connections, and the President of Coastal Workshop.

Presently Bob is a board member of Coastal Opportunities and is one of the Sergeant at Arms in the Camden Rotary Club and a “Paul Harris Fellow”.  In 2007, Bob served as the Lead Project Manager in the rebuild of the Camden Arch which was a collaborative effort between the Camden and West Bay Rotaries.

Having been such a huge part of the development of Camden’s present infrastructure, it is not a surprise that he was given this honorable recognition from the town.  From the staff and crew at Maine Coast Construction; it is a pleasure and an honor to work for you Bob!

Bangor Savings Bank Community Matters More

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Bangor Savings Bank is letting the Mid Coast community vote on where they should award $5,000 and $1,000 grants!  Please, take a moment to vote for your favorite non-profit at this link:

https://www.bangor.com/Why-Bangor-Savings/Supporting-Our-Communities/Community-Matters-More.aspxl

 

Jackson Memorial Library Renovations Update

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The long and difficult task of excavating a pit for the elevator at the new Jackson Memorial Library has finally come to a conclusion. It was necessary to remove up to two and a half feet of solid granite ledge from the basement in order to accommodate the required four feet of clearance in the pit. To complicate things further, there was a spring flowing into the pit which needed to be constantly pumped out; this required the installation of special fencing and a filter bed to prevent silt from contaminating the marsh behind the library building.

We at Maine Coast Construction would like to single out our excavation subcontractor for special thanks and consideration. Bruce Colson and his crew at Colson’s Excavation spent the better part of five weeks engaged in backbreaking work in damp, dirty conditions to make the installation of this elevator possible. His determination, dedication and perseverance in completing this task is deeply appreciated.

The following photos chronicle the process from the point at which ledge was encountered through the removal of stone from the pit to the finished elevator foundation.  A number of techniques were employed to break off chunks of rock that ranged from the size of a coffee cup to some as large as twelve by twelve by eighteen inches. To begin, a series of holes were drilled using a pneumatic drill. Into these a mixture of Betonamit (an expanding grout) and water was poured to crack the stone. This was met with varying degrees of success depending on the ability to keep the holes free of water. Most of the work, though, was completed with jackhammer and wedges ( a great many of which shattered on the densest parts of the ledge), and a great deal of sweat and BenGay deep heating rub.

The elevator pit has been completed and back filled and we are ready to begin framing the elevator shaft up through the building with the actual elevator scheduled to be installed beginning April 5.

Starting in the fall of 2012, Maine Coast Construction has been renovating the former Grace Youth Center in Tenants Harbor to be St. George’s new library. The building is only five-years-old and is over 9,000 square feet situated on 8 acres of land. It is located right next to the St. George School at 71 Main Street.

Maine Coast Construction has been custom-building, renovating and restoring fine homes and commercial buildings in Mid-Coast Maine since 1968.  For updates on Maine Coast Construction’s latest projects in the Mid Coast, please visit www.mainecoastconstruction.com

Invitation to Open House

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Join us Wednesday, March 20th when Maine Coast Construction will be holding an open house from 9am – 12pm at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast.

Have you been thinking of a renovation or construction project but are not sure what will be involved?

Come to meet some of the MCC team and bring your questions.  Whether it is remodeling your kitchen, building a new home or that pesky small handyman project that you just cannot seem to get to; we’re here to help. Bring your questions about commercial and steel projects as well!

You will also see samplings of homes and interiors by Maine Coast Construction; past and present commercial projects including Hope Elephants, Front Street Shipyard, and the Jackson Memorial Library.

Light refreshments will be served.  FMI call 236-6000 or email rachel@mainecoastconstruction.com

Fireplace and Wood Stove Procedures

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How many days until spring? With cold damp nights upon us, the cozy warmth provided by your fireplace or wood burning stove is a snug feeling. Here are a few tips to remember about wood burning safety:

  • Never burn trash in your stove or fireplace and always build your fire on the andiron or grate not on the fireplace floor.
  • A fitted screen or doors should always be in place when you are enjoying your fire.
  • Flammable liquids such as kerosene or charcoal lighter fluid should never be used to start a fire. Check to make sure the fire is out when you are ready to retire for the evening.
  • Storage of large amounts of firewood should be outside of the room in case insects are present in the logs.
  • Keep the damper closed when there is no fire since this will prevent warm room air from escaping up the chimney
  • Finally, a chimney-cleaning professional should check and clean the chimney flue at least once each year to prevent the build-up of combustible material inside of your chimney.
  • Remember when you go to relight your fireplace next year to be sure the chimney is clear of obstructions and the fireplace draws properly.  To do this, open the damper, light a piece of newspaper on the grate or andiron, and notice how the smoke is drawn up the chimney.
Home with Fireplace

Home built by Maine Coast Construction with a Fireplace

Congratulations Front Street Shipyard for being named Boatyard of the Year!

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Photo by Billy Black

In January the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association awarded Front Street Shipyard the 2013 Boatyard of the Year Award.

Located on the waterfront of Belfast, Maine, Front Street Shipyard houses, repairs, and builds boats.  Formerly a closed sardine cannery the space has since been transformed into a premiere boatyard for large vessels by a group of like-minded investors.   The young shipyard has given a positive boost to the economy of Belfast by providing jobs and increasing tourism in the area.

Maine Coast Construction is proud to be part of the effort that transformed the Belfast waterfront.  Details of construction and renovations done by Maine Coast Construction can be seen on our Front Street Shipyard page.

For more information about Front Street Shipyard, please visit http://www.frontstreetshipyard.com/

Work Continues on New Library

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Despite the cold, snow and rain, renovations continue on Jackson Memorial Library’s new home. Recently, Maine Coast Construction has been putting up an addition in the front of the building which will be the entrance and foyer of the library. This area will include the front desk and staff workspace and also an area for the new collection, conveniently located by the entrance.

JML Front Addition

Maine Coast Construction has been putting up an addition in the front of the building which will be the entrance and foyer of the library.

Excavation is also being done in order to install a commercial, stretcher accessible elevator.  To install the elevator the crew needed first to saw out the old concrete floor then remove ledge in order to attain the depth needed for the elevator mechanicals.  Since this work is taking place inside an existing building, traditional ledge removal techniques such as machine chiseling or blasting cannot be utilized.  Therefore, the crew is using Betonomite (a.k.a. Belgian expanding grout) to crack the rock.  This works by drilling holes in the larger rocks and pouring the grout into the holes.  The grout expands and cracks the rock into smaller pieces which the men can then remove manually. Stone wedges, rotary drills and jackhammers are also used to break up the rock. This is very tedious and labor intensive work and, though progress has been made slowly, we expect the elevator pit to be completed very soon.

Excavating for elevator

To install the elevator the crew needed first to saw out the old concrete floor then remove ledge in order to attain the depth needed for the elevator mechanicals.

Pictured is a porch recently built at the entrance to one of the apartments.  The apartments were part of the youth center and will be retained by the library to be rented out. The rental income will help offset the costs of running the larger and busier library.  The apartments should be very nice (and quiet!) being newly renovated and located in the beautiful village of Tenant’s Harbor.

Rear deck and apartment entrance

Rear deck and apartment entrance

With the larger building, Jackson Memorial Library will have space for art shows, with gallery space in the central hall and the community room.

Renovations are projected to be completed in May so that the new library can open in June.

Starting in the fall, Maine Coast Construction began renovating the former Grace Youth Center in Tenants Harbor to be St. George’s new library. The building is only five-years-old and is over 9,000 square feet situated on 8 acres of land. It is located right next to the St. George School at 71 Main Street.

For more updates on the Jackson Memorial Library (including architectural plans) visit the Library’s website http://www.jacksonmem.lib.me.us/cms/content/new-building-updates.  You can also visit Maine Coast Construction’s blog on the new library: http://www.mainecoastconstruction.com/blog/category/commercial/jackson-memorial-library/

Maine Coast Construction has been custom-building, renovating and restoring fine homes and commercial buildings in Mid-Coast Maine since 1968.  For updates on Maine Coast Construction’s latest projects in the Mid Coast, please visit www.mainecoastconstruction.com