What of the following three materials is best for consrtucting a home?
A. Concrete block.
B. Styrofoam and wire mesh.
C. Metail framing
What of the following three materials is best for consrtucting a home?
A. Concrete block.
B. Styrofoam and wire mesh.
C. Metail framing
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Replies
Welecome to Breaktime and HANG ON for the ride.
Keep all hands and feet inside the car at all times.
How about Sand, Straw and Clay.
http://www.housealive.org/articles/article_sand-straw-clay.htm
You did not define how you define "best". Among the different definitions is might be initial cost, maintance, sill required to use, life, energy cost of the building, etc.
Nor did you inidcate your climate and location. That can drastically affect which building technics are appropriate.
Now while concrete block can be used both as finish and structural (with appropriate re-enforcing) it is not that nice looking nor energy efficient.
The other two items can't be used to build a house by themself. They can only be part of a "system".
Thanks for the reply, you made very good points. My comments are attached to yours, in blue.
1. You did not define how you define "best". Among the different definitions is might be initial cost, maintance, sill required to use, life, energy cost of the building, etc. Initial cost and maintenance cost is my primary interest.
2. Nor did you inidcate your climate and location. That can drastically affect which building technics are appropriate. The house will be located in the rain/cloud forest of Costa Rica, Central American. Its not too hot nor too cold but can be very damp.
3. Now while concrete block can be used both as finish and structural (with appropriate re-enforcing) it is not that nice looking nor energy efficient. The concrete block will be covered with a thin coat of cement, sanded smooth and painted. How much more energy efficient is styrofoam then concrete block?
4. The other two items can't be used to build a house by themself. They can only be part of a "system". Understood. In Costa Rica, styrofoam and wire mesh is covered with concrete, made smooth and painted. Steel framing is covered with drywall in the interior and the exterior is covered with concrete paneling. Both surfaces are finished.
Thanks again, Al
Construction methods outside the US/Canada are always interesting. Available materials & skills are always a factor, as are the local conditions (in your case wet but not too hot or cold). Are termites a big factor for you?
Here are two threads from someone who's building in Brazil, just for perspective.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=54932.1
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=68815.1
I don't have anything to add to your question, other than to say Welcome!
The house will be located in the rain/cloud forest of Costa Rica, Central American. Its not too hot nor too cold but can be very damp.
Welcome Al. So insulation is not worth the cost. Eliminates that construction. Both concrete and steel are relatively expensive imports. Minimizing both leaves you with ferrocement. http://www.ferrocement.com/catalog2.html gives you a wide array of examples. Take particular notice of Steve Kornher who builds in Mexico if you have any interest in curves.
Walls are the easy part, pile up pretty much anything. It's the roof structure that gets interesting. I build underground for a 4 season climate out of reinforced concrete with a steel roof structure supporting 300 tons of roof. Highly efficient here and the cheapest no-maintenance house I've found. In your climate without heating or cooling needs, ferrocement makes more sense. Above grade.
Controlling indoor relative humidity, which isn't usually a part of the house design, is clearly going to be more of a challenge, if you choose to accept it.
Keep us posted.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Thanks, I'll look into ferrocement, I like free-form construction.
Sounds like a fit. http://ferrocement.com/english.html
There's a whole forum devoted to the subject. They'd love to hear from you. http://www.ferrocement.net/ You'll find Steve there. Pay particular attention to Nolan Sheid posts. I've been absent for awhile.
But above all, keep us apprised here.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Freeform construction is very artistic. "Square" houses are easier to build, more cost effective in labor and materials.
A house with a pitch roof and gutters will look cleaner after many years. A freeform house will have dirt on its surfaces and get streaks all over after it rains.
Cannot use ordinary drywall in a freeform house, cause there are no flat surfaces.
Framers have to charge 5 times as much cause every cut have to be measured individually. A square house members are cut the same size as the next.
How's the seismic risk in your location? Heavy stuff like concrete block is a bad idea in earthquake country.
Given that it's a very wet climate, rusting of wire mesh would be a concern. Have a look at http://www.xypex.com.
-- J.S.
all three used in conjunction would make a good wall
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