Christopher Solar’s Energy Efficient Addition in Ottawa South

Homeowner Christopher Solar is a very talented furniture designer and builder. His old home in Ottawa South has seen renovations before. This time, a deck-come-3-season-room is being demolished and properly re-built to be part of the living space year round.

The new space was designed by Renzo Cecchetto, principal designer at funktional design. Renzo is certified with the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs to submit code-compliant permit and construction-ready plans to City planning departments.

The project is expected to take five weeks.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 1 Before

“Before”. The base of this “extension” was basically a deck with a room built overtop. It was freezing in the winter, not matter how much heat they pumped in or insulation they put underneath (and there was A LOT of insulation).

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 2 Demolition

Day 2: Demolition continues. The roof and one wall are gone.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 3 Demolition

Day 3: It’s mid morning and the structure is down. Now for the base.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 4 Demolition

Day 4: The old structure is gone. You can see the footings underneath were basically for a deck. This was not a proper extension. Now just the old deck footings to remove before we dig for a proper foundation.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 6 digging foundation

Day 6: Foundation digging underway for a “frost protected shallow foundation”.
The footings will be only 2-feet below grade and the hole will be 30″ deep and 4′ wide.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension day 10 footings

Day 10: Forms for the footings are done and ready for a concrete pour.
The first City of Ottawa inspection was yesterday and the build passed with flying colours.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 11 pour foundation

Day 11: 60 wheelbarrows each with 100 kg of cement.
The footings are done and tarped for drying. Who needs the gym?

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 13

Day 13: 2,500 kg of delivered cement for the pad wheelbarrowed in, then
another 1,000 kg carried in (30 kg bags) and mixed in our mixer.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 19 roof and boards

Day 19: Wall and roof framing are done. Aced the second City inspection.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 23

Day 23: 3″ of polyiso insulation on the walls and 4.5″ inches on the roof.
The roof is shingled and exterior strapping is done. We’re ready for windows.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar extension Day 24 windows

Day 24: The windows arrived this afternoon and all but one are in.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar extension Day 27 siding

Day 27: The board and batten siding is complete on the front and the windows are trimmed too.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 29 insulation

Day 29: Roxul insulation added in one layer to the walls and two layers in the ceiling. Vapour membrane to be added before our next inspection and then we’ll drywall the room.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 33

Day 33: Interior done!
Painted “Cotton” on the walls and installed plywood subfloor. Homeowner (and skilled carpenter) Chris will take care of the window trim and a flooring company will finish up… well the flooring.

Paul Gratton Ottawa Renovation Contractor Christopher Solar Extension Day 33 exterior

Day 33: Exterior done… until spring when we’re back to paint the wood.