esigned
by an Irish architect, this house has a sunroom
on two stories,
a cement-rendered exterior using a cost-efficient
Canadian system, clerestory windows, and a heavy-gauge
asphalt fiberglass shingled roof. The timber-framed
structure features 2-by-6-inch framing, engineered
floor and roof systems, and super energy efficient
insulation systems. The quality of the interior
finish is exceptional. Half-inch drywall over
vapor barrier, with the seams between panels meticulously
filled by on-site Canadian craftsmen, provides
a perfectly flat, perfectly smooth surface to
which was applied appropriate moldings, millwork,
architraves, and skirtings. All plumbing and electrical
work is concealed within the wood-frame interior
construction. An added plus, this type of wall
construction is much more easily changed than
a masonry wall, opening up the possibility of
on-site changes to the design of the interior.
With the exception of plumbing, electrical, and
foundation, every part of the house was exported
from Canada as part of a complete package. This
includes construction services as well as the
highly distinctive kitchen, flooring, architraves,
and pre-finished hardwood staircase. The kiln-dried
Canadian lumber used in this house exceeds Irish
standards for strength and moisture content, and
the construction techniques interface well with
Irish foundation design and building practices.
Chris
Hannevigs' Experience
The quality
of the work was absolutely top class — no
comparison in terms of standard of construction.
Good materials as well, of course. There’s
also been good communication, flexibility, and
the ability to find the best way of doing things.
We were able to discuss the construction and arrive
at optimum solutions. I was very happy with that,
and we got a very good product at the end of the
day. The coordination with the other trades in
this country — plumbing and electrics —
worked well.
We
managed to find good local contractors for doing
that. Even though we weren’t familiar with
some of the materials used, we had confidence
in Rob’s choices and how it would turn out.
From an Irish perspective we’ve used materials
that a lot of people wouldn’t be familiar
with over here, and it’s turned out very
well.
"We
had confidence in Rob"
Chris Hannevig
Owner, Sure Engineering Europe
Coolrain, Ireland
