Just the facts

Tech Specs on Barn House Living: (doesn't include decorative)

Foundation
Footings 3000 psi, 24” x 24”, Footing #5 rebar on 24” centers 8” slab over footings
Exterior walls
2x6 #2 Fir, rough cedar siding
Roofing
Metal – R-low rib panel 40-year warranty
Interior Walls and Ceiling
Walls – ½” drywall – painted
Ceilings – 1x6 rough cedar T&G stained
Windows
Wood – double glass, low E argon, Peachtree – Energy Star Rated
Water supply
BA City Water supply – Aerobic septic system, Water heater, Geotheramal
Solar Panels, Electric backup 50 gal tank
Heating, A/C
27 SEER ground loop geothermal system w/desuperheater – multi zoned system w/IAO Humidifier
Kitchen
Range/oven, dishwasher, disposal, microwave, exhaust hood, electrical, stainless steel materials – all Energy Star Rated appliances
Insulation
Walls – R23, Ceiling R 38, Slab R-5; ,5 lb spray foam insulation material

Special Items
Garage and shop insulated
Garage doors insulated
Green building certified
Energy Star certified
Guttering and water collection system for gardens
Smoke detectors, CO detectors
Solar Water heating system
All lights compact fluorescent
Radiant barriers on all external surfaces
storm cellar
Low scone, high volume exhaust fans50-tree fruit orchard – other livestock to be added at later date for organic eggs, honey etc.

The Electrical, Plumbing

OK Not the most exciting part of building --- but oh so necessary. Even if we do not hopefully use a lot of electricity it is there. (I think the solar panels will be more exciting).

This is where the electric was brought up from the road, about 500 ft. (I've been told not to use "acres" as a unit of length) (photo with bucket on top of electric conn). The left photo is of where the bathroom will be plumbing.

We are trying to use reclaimed mat'ls when possible. We purchase excess from Habitat etc. Buy at auctions and refinish to use. Hopefully the steel will be up soon, we're using concrete floors stained. No other flooring. This is a good way of seeing how far we can go for the next house!

Moving dirt

Where we are located if you remove dirt from one area to build a pond/lake of five acres, you must have something to do with the dirt. It's frowned upon to change water pathways. You can sell the dirt, remove it from the property, you cannot dam it. So --- that is what is happening. we're selling dirt (and you have to submit application for a mining license to do so) to build a pond. (granted a large one). removing the dirt so no waterways are disturbed we'll simply have a larger pond/lake for ducks etc.

The roller shown above rolls the dirt on the road out and the dozer moves it. (excavater digs it)

Did I forget to add in additon to Eco? Bees?

Yes - we will be bee keepers --- here are a few sites you might want to see if you're into "bees" I'm into honey. Not so sure about the little buzzing things, but we're doing research and more on that later! We've found the equipment on craigslist, cleaning and installing before spring. (so --- so far we've got orchard, bees and hopefully a huge organic garden by next year.)

Foundation. Water

In between rain and storms ---- the foundation was poured. At that point it was hitting 100 (we're down this week to the 80's, go figure, it's Oklahoma) --- however at the 90+ and 100 degree days --- apparently you should water the foundation. For four days. So above, you see yes concrete being watered. Four days. No I've not seen too many builders in the area who do that in the heat of summer (or a normal summer). However, watering until it cures apparently keeps it from problems later on. (this would be nice to know depending upon area of the country you build in).

I've been told that a mini truck is essential on land:) (Mostly because my dogs won't walk all that far any more, see the one in the back of the mini. Great gas mileage, will go anywhere and haul trees, landscaping and feed. At 52 mpg

I've also been told that a tractor is a must (see big pile of dirt that should someday be a pond)
Equipment wise.

I might add all this equipment didn't help us pick blackberries

As pretty as natural fields are (and we're leaving sixty acres of them, some planting of clover for the deer) --- there is an orchard staked out, directly behind the barn to hopefully discourage fruit eating deer raiders (they've only eaten ummm two to date, both cherry trees) the orchard will be cherry, peach, apple and one or two we aren't sure what kind of tree). The tractor will hopefully be maintaining grass growth explosions. (the dog just provides ambience) he sees a camera and he poses (the dog).

No livestock as of yet

Unless you count a spotted dog and a retreiver, seen here playing in an irrigation ditch (that ummm I believe the beavers have umm dam'd up) but the dogs love the water access in the heat.

By the time these photos were taken, the roadbed was put in, tamp'd down and rolled over and over and over. (to keep it from washing away) altho in Oklahoma one doesn't usually need to worry about too much rain ---- what Global Warming?

Fighting the Rain and the Beavers

And no ---- no beavers have been displaced, moved, hurt, gotten rid of etc. Hopefully the irrigation ditches will be in place and the pond completed and all can live in harmony. This year in Green Country has been very strange. More rain than sun. A challenge to road building, foundation pouring and keeping everything dry and builders working. Verdigris River runs directly behind the property ---- and unfortunately beavers have moved in and built very well constructed dams across the back pastures, backflooding and wreaking havoc. And if removed, they have them rebuilt within the week. Would that we could hire them to build the barn. We'd be lliving there already. A challenge in this particular property considering the rain of this year? Getting irrigation ditches in place to drain the water off the fields, while keeping the water in place in streams, pond (one large, one small to date). Hopefully a five acre pond will pacify our beaver friends.



The photo to the right is of where the five acre pond will be (to help maintain local bird, wildlife)

Getting Started

Please note there was no heavy equipment hurt in the building of this road.

This is the start of the road. leading back to the barn. Where we'll be living. Hopefully in eco friendly splendor.

80 Acres, natural wildlife, backs up to a larger river, has several water sources (too much in the spring, rainy season which weirdly enough for this area, has been ALL YEAR) There will be a five acre pond/lake/duck attractant. (we hope).

The barn will be hmmm five acres back? off main road. (house will follow five years or so from now) Unless we love barn life so much we just invite the animals in. The Barn will have a geothermal heat/air system. Reclaimed water, solar and provide low utilities. (Elite Service Company, Tulsa --- Green Building Certifier, Energy Star Certifier).

Motto: We fix what others mess up, we do difficult