COVID-19’s impact on my build (so far)
Somewhat aptly, my new home got its protective coverings—housewrap and windows—as COVID-19 began to take hold in my city.
Last week, my architect informed his clients that his firm will be working remotely for the time being. For projects in the design stage, he plans to continue meetings using video conferencing. For projects in the permitting stage, which is done online, he expects those projects to proceed normally, subject to the timelines of the relevant authorities reviewing permit applications. For projects like mine under construction, although communication will continue by phone or online, site visits will need to be arranged case by case and according to need. He wore a face mask and gloves to a three-hour long walk-through we had on-site this week to finalize the location of electrical outlets and lighting fixtures. He doesn’t foresee a need for another site visit for the next month or so.
As of this writing, no restrictions prevent construction from continuing. Expecting that to change at a moment’s notice, my builder started boarding up the site every day in case work has to cease. A ladder was stolen last month when a worker forgot to lock the ladders together. While work continues, the builder asked his workers to keep as much distance from each other as possible, use hand sanitizer after taking their gloves off, and avoid sharing food or water bottles. One of the workers with seasonal allergies wears a face mask.
Though only three workers are typically on site at the same time, certain tasks like carrying heavy items will inevitably require them to work in close proximity. I stopped by this week to watch them install a window, but quickly realized that my presence only increased the risk of community transmission so I resolved to stay away during working hours. This won’t be easy. Once the home is fully protected from the weather, the various trades—plumbing, heating/air conditioning, electrical, and so on—can begin their work in earnest and the project will hit many milestones which I wouldn’t want to miss.
Weather protection
My builder used the InvisiWrap UV housewrap as the weather-resistant barrier that will sit behind the home’s siding. The wrap was stapled to the engineered wood panels sheathing the home, as shown in the photo below. Made of polyester with a proprietary coating, the wrap is designed to prevent rainwater from entering the home while allowing water vapor to pass through to the outside, just as my Gore-Tex jacket keeps the weather out but also lets my sweat evaporate through. According to the builder, the wrap is designed to protect the home from rain and UV for up to a year without any siding on it. When I asked him about water seeping through the staples, he said the blue caps should keep that to an amount well below the level that would cause any damage.
The barrier wraps around window openings, as shown in the photo below.
Here are a few exterior photos of the build with the housewrap and some windows installed.
The Bespoke Home 