Phase 1 Garage Renovation

Fall 2009: We will continue our garage renovation employing the work of volunteers and the College of Technology Carpentry Program.

3/18/09  We have our building permit from the City of Missoula. Steve Loken will be the contractor on the renovation and the COT Carpentry students will begin concrete work on 3/24.

In March of 2009, we will be renovating the detached garage into a useful community and demonstration space for use of student groups and community demonstrations. The architectural work has been donated by Andy Lemman of MMW Architectute of Missoula. Several community interests have also played a crucial role in assisting the development of this project.  Thank You !!

/> Please view photos below for more detail and information

We are excited to be working with local contractors and student groups to come up with a suitable design for renovating our garage space into a usable demonstration and community space. We will be working with the UM College of Technology Carpentry Program to provide them with a renovation project that will add value to a UM owned property. We are working with a modest budget and relying on the generous contributions of local businesses for discount materials and consulting work.

Some of the features of the garage renovation will include:
• Adding insulation to the uninsulated walls and concrete slab
• Adding a radiant floor heat system and insulation to the concrete slab
• Adding several types of insulation as demonstration resources
• Measuring the performance of the insulation types: R-value and Humidity
• Replacing existing garage doors with high efficiency windows
• Installing trombe walls for capture of passive solar energy and heat
• Installing 2 solar tubes for additional natural light utility
• Installing a straw bale wall demonstration on West wall
• Rebuilding three solar-ready roof assemblies in 1/3 sections of the garage roof
• *appropriate insulation and venting systems will be installed in each roof section
       o Structural attic space for battery banks and water storage accessible via drop-down ladder
       o Construction of structural trusses with existing roof joists
       o Construction of scissor trusses for a vaulted ceiling
• Utilization of solar hot-water heater and/or pellet stove
• Shading trellis on West wall
• Reclaiming exterior siding by turning the cedar shingles backwards and refinishing

We are really excited about the potential to demonstrate a series of Sasso® 100% recycled fly ash and glass finishes for the floor of our renovation project!