Replies

1. 
   Rob_Dykeman | Dec 22, 1998 02:58am | #1

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   Glen
   I would look into insulating concrete forms (ICF's). Checkout this web site: http://www.insulatingconcreteform.com
   Rob Dykeman

1. 
   David_Rosendale | Dec 22, 1998 11:28am | #2

   *I have done a lot of work in Panama and there are Three methods used there. The first is thatch and bamboo construction. An interesting and ancient style of architecture but not the most durable. The second is with locally grown lumber. You would not believe the two types. A timber known as Cedro Amergo (Read with a Spanish accent) which translates into English as bitter cedar. This lumber is very caustic and will cause chemical burns on unprotected skin a therefor is very rot and insect resistant. The other timber used is mainly for 2x8 and larger lumber and is Teak believe it or not. Yea you should have seen my face when two units came into my staging area. The third method, and unless you have the raw materials above, is the one I recommend and is steel framing. The metal is galvanized and is dictated by the Panamanian Government for all public Buildings. There is a company, Classic Steel Frame Homes, who advertise in FHB. Though I haven't checked them out the have an e-mail address. ([email protected])

1. 
   Lisa | Dec 22, 1998 09:49pm | #3

   *Dear Glen,Boy did you just make my day! Sitting here in 5F+-15windchill thinking about building in the tropics! Yum! While I don't have the professional credentials of David, I did grow up in Micronesia (plus 2 summers on Oahu) and study the architecture and building of the Pacific Basin, so I will throw my two cents in.First of all, look to the native vernacular for design. This has been developed over millenia for the climate and materials. OK, you probably don't want to live in bamboo and thatch. So use the design principals. Raised floor on piers (to keep crawling insects out-more important than ventilation), lots of big, shaded windows/doors/porches, orient for breezes as well as view, open plans with humid areas (bath and laundry and sometimes kitchen) fairly well isolated.I am sure that you already realize that Hawaii never gets as hot as a lot of the "warm" climates of the continental US, nor as humid. I was never so hot and miserably humid near the equator as I was when I came to Kansas. You really don't need to use high wall insulation values unless you are planning on living in a deep freeze. The trick is shading, so use wide overhangs, lanais (screened porches), landscaping and have a well insulated and/or shaded roof. One of our houses was concrete block, no insulation, with a flat concrete slab roof. We layered palm fronds on the roof to keep it shaded and were perfectly comfy with out AC. No wall to wall carpet (bugs in the padding unless you constantly poison yourselves) or vinyl siding (UV degredation among other mortal sins).Secondly, materials. You know that ANYTHING shipped in is outrageously expensive, so try not to use any! Because of the local flora and fauna, and recent concerns about external foams, I would be very cautious about ICFs. Steel is a good suggestion, IF you can get it from locally recycled sources. Shipping it in is gonna hurt a lot. Also, because you want this house to last past the next hurricane, I am not sure I would use a stick built frame anyway. A timber-type frame in steel with concrete block infill might be good. I don't know if any of the local Hawaiian concrete manufacturers are making fly ash or volcanic ash or pumice concrete (pour or blocks), but that would reduce your costs and be more environmentally sound. You have already ruled out wood frame (where you *would* need to insulate) but there are lovely local woods and bamboos for finish work and cabinetry.Actually, I remember a gorgeous house in an old issue of FHB that was built in Hawaii using volcanic rock. The rough black rock with white mortar was stunning and I suspect, because of the air-filled nature of the rock, very insulative. That is a material not commonly available up here, so it would also make a distictive design element as well as being a good use of an abundent local material.I envy you your opportunity to live in paradise. Build yourself a home that is distinctively you AND that embraces your beautiful island - not a knock off tract that will fly away next storm.Good luck and keep us posted!

1. 
   Mark_V._Beggs | Dec 23, 1998 06:43am | #4

   *Glen,Have you looked at steel frame homes? I build steel frame homes in Kansas City designed, manufactured, and sold by Classic Steel Frame Homes of Houston, Texas. Classics' homes utilize a red iron system spaced on 8' centersthat is structurally similar to timber frame homes. These homes are perfect for an environment that you describe. (i.e. termites, strong winds, etc.) All homes are designed to achieve the highest seismic rating of 4. They can also be designed to withstand wind speeds of 120 mph. Classic commonly ships materials in freight containers for port delivery. Take a look at Classics' website at http://www.metalhomes.com. If you wish to speak with someone call Bill Long with Classic at 800-624-4663 or feel free to contact me by private e-mail at [email protected] Luck...Mark

2. 
   Guest_ | Dec 23, 1998 08:57pm | #5

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   Don't assume that local materials will cost less because of transportation, if this were universally true we would not have a global economy. I buy plywood in Calif. made in Europe, Russia, or Japan or steel pipe made in Korea and shipped half way around the world.

   You will be building in a climate that has needs no heating and very little cooling. ICFs would not be a good choice, since they would require both inside and outside finish, to cover insulation that isn't even necessary and they would provide a great habitat for bugs. Some sort of masonry would be a good choice, since the material would be its own finish, inside and out, and the thermal mass could be used in a passive cooling system. You can promote cooling through natural convection.

   I have been in houses in Hawaii that had whole walls made of screen. I stayed in a parador in Puerto Rico that was stick framed with plywood sheathing. The plywood served as the inside and outside finish. The craftsmanship was necessarily impeccable. In a climate where no insulation is necessary, consider that you may be best off using your structure as a finish. Your walls will be more for security, privacy, and resistance to wind than as a thermal barrier.

   You can use as much glass as you want providing you have proper shading. Remember that in the tropics there will be times of the year when the sun is on the north.

   Look to the local vernacular and compare material prices. If you are going to build it yourself you can use a more labor intensive system, such as masonry.

3. 
   Nancy_Ulin | Dec 25, 1998 02:43am | #6

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   Has anyone worked with poured concrete walls in a tropical climate instead of block? Can you mix in an agregate (shells, etc) and have the pour be the finished surface. Is the moisture and mold a problem?

4. 
   Glen_Hale | Dec 25, 1998 02:43am | #7

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   Question: I want to build a home in Hawaii. I don't want to use wood
   because
   wood eventually roots and termites eat it. I think I would like to use
   cement
   block. What is the best type of block to use.
   Or, do you have other suggestions regarding building a home in the tropics.