Replies

1. 
   BossHog | Aug 23, 2002 05:29pm | #1

   Best practice for what?

   Your question is awfully vague. Try being more specific and you're more likely to get responses.

   Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

1. 
   fooly | Aug 23, 2002 07:34pm | #2

   I know the question is very broad, but I'm interested in information that applies to every stage of the project, e.g., are insulated foundation forms a cost effective alternative, what is the most sensible exterior wall construction, is steel framing a better choice than wood, are demand hot water heaters a better choice than regular ones, etc.

   I guess I was hoping that someone had collected this kind of information in one place, like a book or a website.

   Dennis.

1. 
   BossHog | Aug 23, 2002 08:07pm | #3

   You're really covering a heck of a lot of ground there. Insulated concrete forms, steel framing, wall construction, and instant hot water heaters are all hotly debated subjects around here for which there are no simple answers.

   Try picking one of the subjects, and searching the archives here. There have been tons of posts covering all facets of the things you mentioned. Plenty of people on both sides of the fence on all those issues and more.

   There is no "best practice" for any of these. One may work well in one region, while another works well elsewhere. Keep in mind this forum has people from all over North America, and a few elsewhere. What's best in Alaska isn't best in Hawaii.

   I'm not losing hair, I'm getting head.

1. 
   fooly | Aug 23, 2002 11:24pm | #5

   Good critique. I guess I need to focus on these things one by one. Thanks!

2. 
   andybuildz | Aug 23, 2002 09:14pm | #4

   Your question is out of sorts. Whats the book called" Quick answers to compicated questions"? There are absolutly no answers all wrapped up in one package that I know of. I wish! Each item you speak about has soooo many variables. Sounds like youre looking for a kinda quick fix answer book. You have good questions......."individually". If it were me I'd make a list of your concerns and post them one by one....hey..maybe you could end up writing a book,,,,,lol. As Boss said.....every locale has different issues. there really isnt one answer for the same question. Its like which medication does one take for OCD or BiPolar (hey,,,,Dont even go there,,,,,lol). Ask questions but be specific. Good luck.

   BE well

             Namaste'

                             Andy

   It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   fooly | Aug 23, 2002 11:26pm | #6

   Thanks for your advice. I'll go after the topics one by one.

   Dennis.

1. 
   4Lorn1 | Aug 24, 2002 04:01am | #7

   Break out the last three years of FHB and read through the articles. Don't have them? I assume you subscribe. If not why not order a subscription. It's worth the money. If you haven't subscribed or someone, perish the thought, threw them out, reasonable grounds for divorce or at least doghouse duty, head to your regional library to review their FHB stack. If they don't have one get the subscription and let them have your old issues.

1. 
   RichBeckman | Aug 24, 2002 07:45am | #8

   I believe there have been two threads on the subject of "What would you put into your own house". If memory serves, both threads were quite good. I bookmarked one titled "Features to Include in a New House" but the bookmark isn't any good since the switch to Prospero. I tried a search on the title but came up empty. It could be the thread was in the 'Shed and so was lost.

   So you might try starting such a thread. I bet that approach would work.

   Rich Beckman

1. 
   Handydan | Aug 24, 2002 12:30pm | #9

   I don't like to pile on, but here goes anyway!  First you have to prioritize your questions, then you have to define best, then work out budget, then let us know where you are, THEN we will offer opinions, which will be all over the map.  Some things that I will offer as points to consider are time you will own, this is the third one after all, appearance you are after, and the big one is still budget.  Best materials are almost always more expensive, and bad installation can still ruin them in short order.  I try to consider useable life per dollar spent, but that is because I am stuck  on that budget item, and if I pay more, I want more life out of the product.   Nuff said, have fun!!!

   Dan

3. 
   Mooney | Aug 24, 2002 04:42pm | #10

   Ditto to every thing that has been said. To offer more to your last post;

   Give us all the imformation available or it could be a loss of time for you. I have made the same mistake not thinking. Every now and then [lol] I try to answer a topic thats literally in my field of training and [imo] expertise. I find it hard many times to give a meaningful answer because enough imformation has not been given  for me to respond to.

   Aother thing to remember is that you are likely to get some wrong information, and you must be able to weigh its value. This point alone probably needs its own post .    With every thing that has been said I add this point ; You will find people who are directed mind and soul to quality. Others will have money on their mind depending on their role in the chain which differs greatly. My reading has shown me that every one seldom agrees. We all have different veiw points it seems as was already pointed out by who we are , where we live , and what we are doing for a living exactly. These posts are very valuable in our thinking to learn more about the others veiw points , and thats exactly the way it is . We are gathered here to enjoy each others knowledge.  Enjoy.   

   Tim Mooney

1. 
   brownbagg | Aug 24, 2002 08:12pm | #11

   do not know if help but one of the problems that I hit daily is: not building what everybody else is.

   I want a big two bedroom,  county said NO, no resale on two so property tax would be low, minimum in county three

   I wanted concrete block, No trademan would touch it, did not know how

   I wanted metal roof, Nope

   I wanted r40 in attic, nope r30 all that required so that all they are doing

   It seems like here you can only build one type house three bedroom, two bath, ehglish tutor style with 8/12 pitch and black shingle. Oh yea syntentic stucco front, Not the real stuff but dryvit only.

   So if you change design from the norm make sure somebody can build it.

4. 
   Mooney | Aug 25, 2002 01:49am | #12

   I took the liberty of looking at your profile . Four posts total and a new member all in the same day. [newbie] I want to express my thanks for  you jumping in here right away. Also welcome aboard , we are glad to have you.  AS you read what others have to say , and occasionly learn what they respond to, you will also learn what they do and some of how they get it done. After some amount of time you will learn them, and you can direct a question to them directly  which should help you in what you want to do right now. 

   Happy trails ,

   Tim Mooney 

1. 
   fooly | Aug 26, 2002 03:11am | #13

   Thanks one and all for your responses. I am overwhelmed! It's clear that I need to be more specific.

   Dennis.