Shelter Blog

Masonry Heaters

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:35:00 +0000

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14 9:30-10:30

Join us for a one hour presentation on Masonry Heaters. When built well and integrated with the floorplan of a home, masonry heaters provide continuous and even heat with minimal poking, stoking and fussing. Masonry heaters store a large amount of heat in the mass of the heater. They combine the aesthetics of a masonry fireplace with the funtion and efficiency of a sealed combustion heater. This means that you can rapidly burn a large charge of wood without overheating your home. The heat is stored in the masonry thermal mass, and then slowly radiates into your house for the next 12 to 24 hours. The workshop will cover history and basic function of masonry stoves, different styles, and information regarding the effective integration of a heater into your home plans. Cooking and baking stoves as well as issues surrounding domestic hot water will also be discussed. Bring your floorplans along and our instructor will walk you through identifying the best location for a masonry heater.

This is a FREE one hour workshop with a question and answer session at the end but you must register in advance as space is limited. Send an email with your name, address and phone number as well as the class subject and date to info@shelterinstitute.com or call 207-442-7938 to reserve your spot today.

The instructor, Eric Schroeder, spent three years working as an apprentice for different masonry heater builders in the United States and Canada. In 2007 he took a trip through Europe to attend the Austrian Kachelofenverband's annual trade show, and to visit with a stove builder in Friesland, northern Holland. He brings tales from the road and technical and practical information about heaters to this workshop.

Small Housebuilding Class

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:57:00 +0000

Enjoy these great photos from our recent Small Housebuilding Class. We spent five days crafting this 12x16 structure., an ideal size for the first house on your dream property, a guest cabin, writing studio or artists retreat. The next Small Housebuilding Class is scheduled for February 22-26, 2009. We'll spend the week in our heated shop while the winter snow piles up outside. To see all of the photos click on the image to the left and you will be directed to our album on Picassa or visit the Shelter Institute blog: http://www.shelterbuild.com/

If you recently took this class, please write a comment here and let us know what you thought!

Concrete Countertops Hands-On

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:00:00 +0000

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21 8:30-4:30
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Learn how to make your own beautiful and affordable concrete countertops. Granite or engineered stone countertops are nice, but they’re also very expensive. In our Concrete Countertops class, you’ll learn how to make polished and durable countertops that are very affordable and will bring style to your home. Learn the physics of concrete and the essentials of steel reinforcement. See the physical characteristics of a placing concrete and the tamping, vibrating, troweling, polishing and finishing that goes into making concrete countertops ALL in just one day. Learn how to avoid the most common problems to create timeless working surfaces. During the class we'll mix and pour two countertops (one in a mold and one in-place) and we'll pull a countertop out of its mold to polish and finish it. Learn subtle tricks of the trade to avoid cracking, voids, color variances and thickness changes. All tools provided but safety equipment is required (gloves, hearing protection, heavy workshoes, back brace as needed). Space is limited so please sign up today. The class requires a minumum of 10 students and Shelter Institute reserves the right to cancel if enrollment is too low.

BOOK SALE Featuring the Energy Shelf

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:51:00 +0000

Buy ONE book from the Energy Shelf and receive a 50% Discount on your second book from that shelf (of equal or lesser value). Offer Expires November 12, 2009

ENERGY is such a hot word today, everyone is asking how to make their homes more energy efficient and our favorite question is "which energy source is the most effective?" We've collected our favorite books on energy and put them all together in one place to help you find the information you need to make the best decisions about your home, lifestyle or business. The Energy Shelf is a collection of the best books we can find on energy topics. Whether you are trying to quantify your carbon footprint or looking for information on active or passive solar, wind energy, hydropower, biodiesel, or simply energy efficiency we've collected our favorites to offer in our bookstore. Add them to your own library and research or use this great deal for a gift.

Here’s how it works:

Each month we’ll highlight a particular “Book Shelf”
You select 2 books to purchase from that shelf.
You receive 50% off the second book (of equal or lesser value)!
You must buy the two books together by the expiration date to receive the discount.
Simply type: BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB: ENERGY SHELF and the title of the free book that you would like into the Message section of your order.
We will confirm shipment of both books upon receipt of the order. (while supplies last)
Purchase two books from the Featured Shelf each month for six months and receive a 25%-storewide-discount card. We'll track your purchases and send your discount card with your last purchase (discounts applicable to in-stock items only, no special orders and cannot be combined with other discounts).

Don’t see the book you have been looking for in our online selection, give us a call and we’ll see if we have it on the shelf in the store. If we do, you can include it in your book order and it will count toward that free book!

Need a suggestion? Do you have a particular topic or question that your trying to research or perhaps this is a gift for someone who has been excited about a particular topic -- let us know and we can make a recommendation! Our knowledgeable staff spends hours combing through the books, reading and reviewing them for your benefit. Email us your inquiry and we'll make a suggestion of where to find the answers!

The sale is applicable to in-store purchases as well as online purchases so if you’re in the area, please stop by for a visit! Sorry, but we cannot special order books as part of the “book shelf” program. Special orders are always welcome however, under regular circumstances.

Intro to Concrete Countertops

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:07:00 +0000

October 17, 2009 9:30-10:30
Concrete countertops are extremely popular for new construction and renovations because their beauty and versatility. Concrete creates a unique and beautiful end product that is environmentally sound, low cost and you can do yourself. In this free one hour workshop, we’ll discuss the many ways they can be formed, stained, ground and finished. Our discussion will address the benefits of concrete and how to overcome the limitations. We’ll have samples for you to see and feel and we'll walk through the process. You'll leave with list of materials and a cost estimate. Concrete counter tops are attainable – we want to show you how! Contact us for details!
This is a FREE one hour workshop with a question and answer session at the end but you must register in advance as space is limited. Send an email with your name, address and phone number as well as the class subject and date to info@shelterinstitute.com or call 207-442-7938 to reserve your spot today.

Small Housebuilding Class

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:50:00 +0000

This is your LAST CHANCE to take the Small Housebuilding Class in 2009! Join us for five invigorating days designing, framing and constructing this gorgeous 12x16 structure. It is the ideal studio, cabin, guest area, workshop (the list is endless). The leaves are just changing and the coast of Maine is a beautiful place to spend five days mostly outside, working with your hands, honing your housebuilding skills. You will learn layout techniques and carpentry skills, window and door installation as well as roofing and siding installation techniques. Call 207-442-7938 or email for additional information. Space is limited but there are a few seats left!

Timber Frame SALE

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Those of you who have been dreaming about our 24x24 timber frame kit becoming your very own home, garage, barn, studio, workshop, boathouse, guest cabin, retirement home, escape, vacation home . . . YOU are in luck. We have three 24x24 frames sitting in our shop and we're taking $4,900 off of the list price bringing it down to $12,000 for the kit. This price includes the framing elevations for the structure, a foundation plan, all of the timbers with joinery pre-cut, and 2-inch tongue and groove decking for the second floor. These are Eastern White Pine Frames, square cut timbers with hand cut joinery. Each is crafted with tremendous care in one of our recent timber framing workshops in which approximately 20 people from around the world gather to learn the art of timber framing. Our instructors take tremendous care to teach technique and craft. At the end of the class the instructors go through and complete any unfinished joints, and clean and oil the timbers with an all-natural wood oil called Land Ark. Supplies won't last long so call today to reserve your 24x24 today at this very low price of $12,000.
(Price includes framing members and second floor 2-in tongue and groove decking FOB Shelter Institute Campus, Woolwich, Maine. Shelter Institute will gladly ship and construct the frame. See our web page for additional pricing on construction and enclosure with Structural Insulated panels to create a super insulated shell.)

24x24 Home or Guest Cabin

24x24 Timber Frame Garage Addition to Existing Home

3- 24x24 Frames Assembled together to form an L-Shaped Garage

Cleaning Up the Yard

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:27:00 +0000

Right now is the time to successfully pull unwanted small trees and shrubs from your site in such a way that they will not grow back. You will need 20 feet of 5/16 or 3/8-in. chain with a "grab" hook at one end and a "slip" or " round" hook at the other. Place the slip hook end around the offending brush or small tree and hook it to the chain, forming a lasso. Hook the other end to a part of your car, truck, tractor, or ATV. Be sure to pick a part that will not get ripped off or bend easily. Pull the vehicle forward as slowly as you possibly can. The object is to slither the roots out of the ground without breaking any of them.
The true measure of an adult is whether he (can you get me out of this one?) has the patience and sensitivity to pull a dandelion out without breaking the root (which will quickly grow back ).
This technique ensures that the site will hardly be disturbed (no ruts, excavator gouges or piles of dirt or brush inextricably fused), and the topsoil will remain in your yard, not hauled off to a land fill. The job is done with far less fuel and carbon imprint. The brush will be relatively soil free and can be chipped for insulating mulch or burned to sweeten an acid soil.
To learn to be a thoroughly thoughtful designer, effective steward, and competent builder of your own future, not to mention having a darn good time, join us for the..... Design Build Class May 10-21, 2009!

Wood Stove Tax Credit

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:06:00 +0000

Now through the end of the calendar year 2010 you can receive a tax credit for a biomass fuel stove used for heat or for heating water. The credit is 30% of the cost of the actual woodstove (installation included) up to $1500. You can purchase more than one stove and receive credit on both of them -- up to $1500. The stoves must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value.

The law defines "biomass fuel" as any plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plant (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, and fibers.

We do not know of a comprehensive list of qualified biomass stoves. The best way to find stoves that qualify for the tax credit is to ask your retailer. To verify tax credit eligibility, ask your retailer to provide the Manufacturer's Certification Statement (a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit) for the stove you plan to purchase or search on the Manufacturer's website.

Shelter Institute carries a number of wood stoves that qualify for the tax refund and we are happy to provide price and availability. Please call (207-442-7938) or email for additional information.

Photos From the September Purely Post & Beam Class

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:05:00 +0000

WOW! What a spectacular week in Maine with fourteen students from as far reaching as Holland. We began by drafting the building to scale to get a sense of the structure we would be cutting and then went right out to the shop to begin cutting the timbers to length! Check out these great photos of our week.

Wood Stove Best Practices

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:18:00 +0000

Wood stoves are a great way to supplement or even entirely heat your home in the winter. As with any type of heat, the key to a successful heating season is a well tuned and efficiently operating system. Join us for a one hour workshop about the best practices for wood burning stoves, including stove selection, fuel selection, placement in the home, installation, venting and general maintenance.
September 26, 2009
2:00 pm at the
Shelter Institute Classroom
873 US Rte One Woolwich, Maine
207-442-7938
info@shelterinstitute.com

Beautiful Door Mats: A Greener Choice

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:05:00 +0000

This is the ideal mat for a Maine home or for a home whose inhabitants wish they were in Maine. Each mat is unique, made out of retired-float rope: rope used to secure multiple lobster traps together along the ocean floor. This rope is being replaced by a weighted rope and was headed straight for the landfill but entrepreneur and Shelter Institute Graduate Penny Johnston developed the Maine Float Rope Company which takes this old rope and turns it into beautiful door mats. A portion of the proceeds of sales of these mats goes to organizations and projects that help protect the Northern Right Whale, support Maine Lobstermen and implement environmentally sound practices in the Gulf of Maine. • colorful and pleasing to the eye• trap dirt, mud, snow and sand like no other mat • cleanup is a snap, just shake the mat our or hose it down• virtually indestructible easily withstands all kinds of weather • Do not absorb water, nor harbor insects • Resistant to mold and mildew, salt water and sun • Reversible for twice the wear, boaters take note, our mats even float!• Handmade by local craftsman, each mat is one of a kind! Please note that because each mat is unique we cannot specify color they come in a variety of bright and vibrant colors. If you have a preference you can request either a bright or a muted tone and we will do our best to fulfill that request.

Purely Post & Beam Class

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:10:00 +0000

Join us for 5-1/2 invigorating days where you will learn how to select, care for and use the best timber framing tools and create beautiful timber frame joinery. We'll spend the first morning learning how to draw the building to scale both by hand and on the computer. We'll spend the next several days in our comfortable shop laying out the joints on the timbers and hand shaping them in the timbers. Our in-house engineer will present the basics of beam sizing and joint selection to ensure that your timber frame structure is designed to support itself as well as the many pressures of wind, snow and ice. Walk away at the end of this class with a thorough set of plans for re-creating this building, the knowledge and skills to do it yourself. And as part of the alumni of the Shelter Institute, we are always available to answer questions and assist you through those complex building processes. Join the thousands of Shelter Institute grads by taking this next Purely Post and Beam Class: September 13-18, 2009 Sunday 5:00-8:00 pm, 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday.

Window Quilt Tax Credit

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:33:00 +0000

Window Quilt Insulated Shades qualify for the 30% (up to $1500) tax credit. Shades must be purchased and installed by December 31, 2010. Start saving money this heating season by installing your shades now. Email or call the Shelter Institute for more information on the tax credit, sizing, price and installation of shades.

We have units in use installed in our facility as well as floor samples to touch. Please stop in to see Window Quilt in action!

If your still not sure which window treatment is best for your home, budget and application join us for a free workshop to learn more about your options, heat loss and insulation.

Home Buyer's Tax Credit Deadline

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:42:00 +0000

The federal government's "First-Time Home Buyers" tax credit expires on Nov. 30. The current offer is a tax credit for 10% of the purchase price of a property, up to $8,000. First-time home buyers doesn't just mean young people buying their first home -- this term applies to anyone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the date of purchase. For married taxpayers, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse.

First time home buyers are flooding the market and creating a flurry of showings and activity in the real estate world. Mortgage approvals, residential inspections, and other steps in the buying process typically take about two months, buyers hoping to take advantage of the incentive will need to have a contract by the end of September at the latest.

Those of you planning to take advantage of this tax credit at the last minute should be aware that mortgage approvals are currently taking longer than normal because home Appraisals have been placing very different values on homes than the buyer and seller agree to and for which the buyer tries to get financing. This is not an issue when the appraisal is too high but can bring the transaction to a screeching hault when the appraisal is too low.

What can you do? If you find yourself in a transaction where the appraisal has devalued your house or your perspective house, find out why. Ask for a full copy of the report and information on any comperables that were used. Be sure to point out any features of a property that would enhance the value and consider requesting a new appraisal. In many cases Appraisers are using other recent local sales to provide a benchmark value for your own property. The problem with this in the current market condition is that some of those comps may be Short Sales and/or Foreclosures meaning that the circumstances under which they were sold were perhaps different from the circumstances in which you are trying to sell or buy.

The critical message here is that real estate value is not a science. It comes down to a combination of factors

What are current market conditions?
What dollar value does the buyer place on the property?
What dollar value does the seller place on the property?

Remember that you can seek alternate sources of finance. Remember to shop for your financing and in doing so you may find that the appraisal value is not as important. The foreclosures and short sales are bringing values of homes down but that doesn’t mean that the value of your home has to change.

DRESDEN OPEN HOUSE

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:45:00 +0000

Open House August 29, 2009 3:00-5:00 pm

email: info@shelterinstitute.com for more information

Join us for an open house at this home in Dresden.

MLX # 931383 Listing Price $147,000
Featuring

3.3 Wooded acres which provide plenty of firewood for this home
high efficiency wood stove
Dry unfinished basement
Easy access to Midcoast or Augusta
Views of beautiful blueberry fields across the street
Space for an addition
Freshly painted walls
vinyl siding
New roof in April 2009

Intro to Insulated Shades

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:56:00 +0000

Saturday August 29, 2009 9:30 AM

As the heating season approaches, those of us living in colder climates are looking around our homes for last-minute improvements that we can make in order to stay as warm as possible with as little energy as possible. An obvious heat loss is through the glass in our windows. Regardless of how tight your windows are there is still considerable heat loss. Insulated shades have been available for more than thirty years but this year they are becoming so mainstream that you can purchase them everywhere from specialty stores where they are custom made for your windows to online sources and big box stores. You can imagine that there is considerable variety in the quality, r-value, and options available. This one-hour workshop will explain the science around insulated shades and explore the options, pros, and cons of various shades. You'll leave knowing what option is best for your home and your budget.

This is a FREE one hour workshop with a question and answer session at the end but you must register in advance as space is limited. Send an email with your name, address and phone number as well as the class subject and date to info@shelterinstitute.com or call 207-442-7938 to reserve your spot today.

Land Price Reduction

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:28:00 +0000

This beautiful 7-acre parcel has just had a price reduction to $65,900! It is the last lot in the subdivision, on cul-de-sac, connects to miles of wooded trails for skiing and hiking. Private and remote location with easy access to the midcoast region and the rich culture it has to offer. Rights to association moorings available in deepwater Kennebec River just a mile away. Please call 207-443-9905 or email for more information.

Metal Roof Penetrations

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:11:00 +0000

by Gaius Hennin, PE
We install metal roofing exclusively on our timber frame shells. With warranties up to 45 years on the finish, ability to recycle, wide range of color options, longevity, ability to reflect the sun’s heat and shed snow and, this year, available tax credit, the advantages of metal roof are obvious. We are typically installing the metal roof long before the plumber has had a chance to run the main vent stack up through the roof, and this part of the job seems to create a fair amount of (undue) anxiety for both the plumber and the homeowner. I recently had the opportunity to install a couple of vent stacks through a metal roof for past clients and thought ‘What a great blog this would make!’ Here is my technique.

As with most of our shells, the timber frame was enclosed with SIP (structural insulated panel) walls and roof. This makes the installation even easier since there is no framing lumber in the roof to avoid. I use a slow turning right angle drill and a hole saw with an extension to drill up through the SIP and metal roof all in one clean shot. For this particular job, the plumbing had been run up to within a few feet of the roof panels. Using a plumb bob, I transferred the centerline of the pipe up to the ceiling and placed a mark there. The hole saw has a pilot drill making it easy to center the hole on my mark. I choose a hole saw that is just large enough to allow the pipe to pass through (photo 1).

A hole that is much larger than the pipe is more likely to allow warm moist air inside the building to come into contact with the underside of the cold metal roof, condense and drip back into the building, making the roof penetration appear to leak. I also like to seal the PVC to the metal roof as additional insurance against leakage which is only possible with a snug fitting penetration (see photo 2).

It is convenient to have a helper with a well calibrated eye stand back and make sure your drill remains plumb as you drill up through the roof. This house had a 9” thick SIP on a 5/12 pitch making the hole about 10” in length-plenty of room to get out of plumb. The pipe that will get installed through the roof is schedule 40 PVC and quite rigid. If the hole you drill is far out of plumb it can be quite difficult to align to the existing plumbing and make the pipe look crooked from outside.

After the hole is drilled, measure from the existing plumbing up through the hole to determine how much pipe is needed to make it through the roof, then add 12-24” of length to ensure that snow does not build up against and plug the vent stack. If the International Plumbing Code is enforced in your area, Section 904.1 calls out the minimum roof extension distance for your zone. I feel compelled to mention that the IPC also stipulates that “vent terminals shall not be used as a flag pole or to support flag poles, or similar items,……”. No further comment needed.

After gluing the pipe in place with the appropriate primer and glue, it is time to head up onto the roof. For this job, the roof is a 5/12 pitch and it is possible to walk on the roof, when dry, with no staging or scaffolding needed. I do have several words of caution though. In the spring, a layer of yellow Pine pollen can build up on the roof making it quite slippery, so try to plan the roof trip after a rain. Stepping on the screw heads affords extra friction and avoids the ‘little slips’ that can give you a heart attack. Remember that OSHA requires some form of fall protection, for good reason, when over 6’ off the ground. For clarity, we have Photoshopped the scaffolding out of the accompanying photos.

We use an EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) flashing boot known as a Dektite, for plumbing stack and all other ‘cold’ penetrations. For penetrations, such as single wall chimney pipes, where extended, elevated temperatures are inevitable, use the silicone Dektite. These are both available in a wide range of sizes, and can be trimmed to fit the exact pipe diameter. Be extremely careful when trimming the Dektite because a tight fit between the Dektite and the pipe is a critical part of a long term, leak-free installation (photo 3).

I use a sharp utility knife, but only because I sharpen my blades out of the package on my Tormek T-7 professional sharpening system (available at Woodbutcher Tools and, of course, on our website), and I have a dead steady hand. A lack of either of these can lead to an errant slice in the Dektite, rendering it useless. Notice that the Dektite I am installing here has a round base that sits on the roof surface (photo 4); this works well up to a 7/12 pitch. For steeper roofs, a Dektite with a square base works better, with one corner of the base aimed up the roof, toward the ridge.

After trimming the Dektite along the appropriate score line provided, I test fit the boot. The base has a piece of aluminum adhered to the EPDM which allows you to bend the base to fit the roof profile. When I am happy with the fit, I pull the Dektite off and apply a healthy bead of 100% silicone sealant (a marine adhesive like 3M’s PL 5200 also works very well, though is more expensive and often difficult to find) to the interface of the metal roof and the PVC (photo 5), this is the final line of defense against leakage, but should never see moisture, theoretically. Notice in photo 5 that a roofing screw has been removed, and the Dektite will end up partially straddling a rib. The screw was removed to allow the Dektite base to fit tight against the roof; the boot is straddling the rib because of Murphy’s Law.

Next I apply a thick bead of silicone sealant, using my professional grade Tajima caulking gun, to the flat underside of the Dektite (photo 6), and slide it down over the pipe.

Just before contacting the metal roof with the silicone, I double check that the boot is oriented properly to take advantage of the pre-fit work: I want the boot to slide straight down and have the excess silicone squeeze out without rotating, as this can allow air pockets to form in the silicone which can leak. To attach the boot to the roof I use 7/8” long Tek screws. These have a pre-drilling tip which makes it easy to drill through the aluminum base and the metal roof. These screws get installed about 1” on center (photo 7) all around the base and will hold the silicone gasket captive as well as preventing sliding snow from breaking the waterproof bond between the Dektite and the metal roof. It should take about as long to install the Dektite as it does to read this verbose article.

On roof pitches above a 7/12, it is wise to consider additional snow slide prevention. There are two typical devices. One is a plastic ‘block’ with a self-adhesive membrane. These should be placed every 3-4 feet up the roof to within 3-4’ of the ridge. Be aware that these will only fully adhere with continued temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The other device screws to the roof and ties to the vent pipe with a stainless steel band. The metal plate that screws to the roof deck is shaped like a ‘V’ to help part the sliding snow around the pipe as it comes down the roof.

Lastly, the hole in the roof inside the building should be properly sealed to prevent warm moist air inside the building from coming into contact with the cold underside of the metal roof. A bead of 100% silicone between the pipe and the drywall ceiling works well if the gap is around 1/8” or less. If the hole was drilled larger, you should instead place expanding foam all around the pipe to prevent air migration.

It should take about as long to install the Dektite as it does to read this verbose article.

Metal Roofing Tax Incentives

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:00:00 +0000

DO YOU NEED A NEW ROOF?

The 2009 Stimulus Package provides substantial tax credits to homeowners who make energy efficient updates to their home. A great way to qualify for the credit is installation of a painted or coated Energy Star® labeled metal roof. Homeowners installing qualified roofs in 2009 and 2010 may be eligible for a tax credit worth up to 30% of the materials cost (materials only) up to $1,500 per home.

For example the metal roofing that we install on our 24x24 timber frame kit (with a 12/12 pitch roof) has a materials cost of $2900. If you select one of the qualifying colors you can receive a refund of $870 on that roof. That pricing is based on the Ideal Roofing Product Line which do qualify for this Energy Star Rebate. The Rebate is limited to a select group of colors because they do not absorb a tremendous amount of heat from the sun (Polar White, White, Bone White, Stone Grey, Regent Grey, Charcoal, Metro Brown, Coffee, International Orange, Bright Red, Red, Tile Red, Burgundy, Antique Linen, Tan, Mahogany, Slate Blue, Mist Green, Pacific Turquoise, Medium Green). Please contact us for a complete color chart, certification form and pricing. ph. 207-442-7938 or email a request and we can mail you a packet: info@shelterinstitute.com

How to receive the tax credit:

1. Find a Contractor or supplier near you to discuss a new metal roof for your home.
2. Confirm that the metal roof you select is a painted or coated Energy Star-labeled metal roof and obtain certification.
3. Purchase and install the metal roof between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
4. Fill out IRS Form 5965 when filing your taxes for 2009 and/or 2010.

Free Workshop Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Back by popular demand we've introduced a number of new FREE workshops held primarily on Saturday mornings throughout the year. We'll cover such timely topics as Best Wood Stove Practices, Insulated Shade Selection and Use, Intro to Active Solar, Intro to Geothermal, even the basics of Concrete Countertops and and introduction to Structural Insulated Panels. Visit our class schedule for up to date listing of events. Space is limited and these workshops are popular to so please reserve your space in advance! Call 207-442-7938 or email info@shelterinstitute.com

2010 Class Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:14:00 +0000

Join us for a class on energy efficient housebuilding. Our 2010 class schedule is now available on our website. Check out the Design Build Class with all of the topics from solar angles to engineering to wiring and plumbing. The Small Housebuilding Class offers hands-on construction and techniques building a 12x16 structure installing windows, doors and roofing. Learn the art of timber framing in a one week Purely Post & Beam class. Classes qualify for general course credits through the University of Maine in Augusta and VA reimbursements. Take all three classes and receive a ten percent discount on the tuition of all three when you take the final class. Join the thousands of energy concious thinking people who plan well, to build well to live well!

Chainsaw Maintenance

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:12:00 +0000

Saturday June 27, 2009
9:30-1:30
Chainsaws are one of our favorite tools because they free you! With a chainsaw you can selectively clear your woods of invasive species, you can mill your own lumber to build a house and then you can cut your own firewood to heat the house! Well we know not everyone is into all of that BUT a chainsaw is a pretty handy tool; the only trick is that it needs some maintenance and like every small engine there are a few key things to maintaining it. Of course you can find lots of how-to manuals for using and maintaining a saw but wouldn't it be great if you could have a couple of hours with somone who REALLY know what he's talking about? Pat Hennin will be offering his chainsaw maintenance and milling workshop, a four hour how-to on getting the MOST out of your chainsaw. In the preparation of the workshop we came up with a few key tips to ensuring that your engine purrs smoothly every time you haul on that pull-cord. And in the meantime here are a few elementary tips.

mix your fuel carefully
clean that air filter
try to find ethonol free fuel (good luck) this alcohol destroys the fuel pump and fuel valves
always keep your gas tank full between uses otherwise water vapor will get in and clog the carborator
don'y buy a geen one because you'll never find it in the woods
buy a chainsaw with a short bar you're less likely to cut off your feet; an 18-in. blade will easily cut a 36 in log
bring your granberg saw sharpener into the woods with you it is the most pleasant place to sharpen your saw

Pat Hennin started using a chainsaw in earnest in about 1960 when he worked as a lumberjack in Idaho. He had a plot with selected trees for felling in the Targhee National Forest and spent three solid months working those woods. And has practiced tree surgery for 40 years using Mculloch, Homelites and Solo to the new Efco, Jonsered, Husquevarna, Stihl and more. Bring your saw to get very specific instruction.

FREE WORKSHOP: Masonry Heaters

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:38:00 +0000

Saturday June 20, 2009 9:30-10:30
Perhaps because we are located in Maine, the thought of curling up next to wood heat is always inviting -- even in June. In fact this early, rainy morning I fired up my own Vermont Castings wood stove to take off the chill. Whether it is summer or winter, people are always asking about alternative heat sources from wood stoves to pellet heaters, gas space heaters, coal and wood fired furnaces in the basement . . . the list is endless. Well we thought we'd quell at least a few of those inquiries with a free workshop about Masonry Heaters.

Masonry heaters combine some of the best features of a wood heat source: the burn efficiency of a wood stove and the heat retention and beauty of a fireplace. When described that way, I wonder why we don't all have them. So, we invited Eric Schroeder, a local masonry heater builder to discuss design, integration with floor plan, construction materials, and even cost of construction and installation. Eric has traveled the world to learn about Masonry heaters and spent the last three years working as an apprentice for a number of different masonry heater builders. Join us for a free one hour session to learn more about whether a Masonry Heater is right for your home or business. Bring your own floor plan and questions and we'll be sure to get you headed in the right direction! And if the Masonry Heater is not the alternative heat source you are considering, what is? We'd like to know! info@shelterinstitute.com

SketchUp Class

noreply@blogger.com (Shelter Institute Staff) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:30:00 +0000

Saturday June 13, 2009
9:30-11:30
In this two hour session, learn the ins and outs of Sketchup, Google's free computer design program. We'll tour of the software and its capabilities, and do some hands-on guided modeling. Sketchup is a great tool for visualizing spaces. Professional builders are able to share ideas with clients and sub-contractors in perspective, plan and elevation view while only having to create one “drawing”. Sketchup even makes it possible to export your model to your site on “Google Earth”.

The instructor, Patrick Wright, is a self-taught Sketchup artist who has experience as a teacher, homeowner/builder, land use planner, and TimberFramer with the Henin Post and Beam Crew. In 2007, he led a group of novice volunteer modelers who created 45 buildings in Downtown Brunswick, ME. These models have been accepted in Google Earth's "3D Buildings" layer. Patrick's practical building experience helps to bring together the realities of home design and construction with the expertise of computer aided design.

Students should bring a laptop computer to gain the most from the workshop but it is not required. If possible, please download Sketchup ahead of time at: Google Sketchup If you have trouble installing the program, the instructor will help you at the beginning of class (please arrive early). Be sure to bring a mouse, as a touchpad is much more difficult to model with. Non-Refundable Registration: $45 (This Registration fee can be transferred once at no charge. A second request for transfer will result in the loss of deposit.)