Replies

1. 
   Jason99 | Apr 04, 2006 05:08am | #1

   I live in hawaii and put in insulation for sound.  In the caribean you might want to think about a.c.. It's a waste to fight the sun any more than you have to.  If no a.c. don't bother

2. 
   DanH | Apr 04, 2006 05:08am | #2

   No need to insulate, unless you're going to air-conditon the space.

   With drywall you need to be somewhat concerned about controlling moisture. I don't know your specific environment, but with tropical humidity it would be best to use moisture-resistant drywall and a setting type mud.

   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

1. 
   nautica | Apr 04, 2006 05:24am | #3

   Wow you guys are fast. I will be installing split air conditioning units on the 1st floor for all the bedrooms and in a greatroom on the ground floor since I gets really hot there. PS was in Hawaii once. Loved the North Shore.

   Edited 4/3/2006 10:30 pm ET by nautica

1. 
   DanH | Apr 04, 2006 05:36am | #5

   With AC you need to be concerned about condensation on the inside of the wall. It would help to know the worst-case dewpoint where you are.
   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

2. 
   PatchogPhil | Apr 04, 2006 06:03am | #8

   Since you are building new,  you can make some important design characteristics that will greatly affect your comfort and long term energy costs for that a/c system.

   What type of roof construction will you have?   The more insulation you have that can block RADIANT heat from the sun getting into your living areas,  the more comfortable you will be and for less energy use by your a/c system.  The more insulated space between the roof and the living area (esp in a cathedral ceiling),  the better.

   Not sure if it is available where you are building.....  cellulose is an excellent insulator and blocker of radiant heat gain.  Also make things quieter.  

   Roof panel systems would be a good idea too.  Can go hand in hand with metal roofs that are especially resistant to huricanes.

   BTW,  on which island are you building?

    

    

1. 
   nautica | Apr 04, 2006 06:55am | #9

   I will be building on the island of St.Lucia and I'm planning on getting most of my materials from Miami Florida excepting cement and blocks. I want the standard to be simliar to Dade county building code. Huricane zone!I'm now meeting with contractors but they are not well verse on construction for the US. Only a few have used drywall and central air seems to be a foreign concept for residential construction since the cost of electricty is high on the island. This is why I'm looking a AC split units. The roof may be cement tiles like the ones that are common in Florida but I'm also looking at other options such as the metal tiles or fiberglass tiles since they maybe easier to install. I'm very interested in blocking radiant heat so I'll be reseaching cellulose.Sorry for the long post.BTW I found this site while surfing on Avsforum.

1. 
   PatchogPhil | Apr 04, 2006 07:57am | #10

   Split unit a/c is very popular in "the islands".  It will also enable you to effectively zone your house.  No sense cooling the whole house at same time when you only need a room or 2 at a time to be cooled.

   Sounds like you need to be a hands-on expert on all the details of building your house,  with the local contractors not having the know-how.

2. 
   nautica | Apr 04, 2006 04:47pm | #11

   I'll definately be asking a lot of questions and reading this forum. Are the any other forums like this around?Michael

3. 
   DanH | Apr 04, 2006 04:59pm | #12

   I certainly hope not!
   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

4. 
   PatchogPhil | Apr 04, 2006 05:13pm | #13

   Breaktime is often copied,  never duplicated.

   Pretty much every trade is well represented here,  altho if you had heating issues I'd say go over to "The Wall" at heatinghelp.com for the more detailed specialties of heating with hot water systems.

    

5. 
   wrudiger | Apr 04, 2006 10:16pm | #14

   "...if you had heating issues..."

   Hmmmm, I wonder what constitutes "cold" in St. Lucia?

6. 
   PatchogPhil | Apr 04, 2006 10:22pm | #15

   Probably under 70* F. to the local people.

    

    

7. 
   nautica | Apr 04, 2006 10:56pm | #16

   There is never a heat issue on the island. It's not like Florida which can drop to the 30's. The only issue will be cooling the house not heating it.

   BTW, I spent four years at the University of Minnesota so I know what it feels like to be cold. LOL

8. 
   DanH | Apr 04, 2006 11:39pm | #17

   Dunno -- that depends on which four years.
   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

2. 
   PatchogPhil | Apr 04, 2006 05:32am | #4

   I would think that insulation would be beneficial in the caribbean climate,  to combat heat gain from the sun.   Regardless of if there is air conditioning or not.

   South Florida is in the caribbean i.e. Miami area,  the Keys, etc.   I am pretty sure they use insulation.

   All of the new construction I have seen in the caribbean is cement/concrete structures.  Residential as well as commercial.  That has got to soak up the heat during the day.  You do not want that heat baking you during the cooler nights. 

    

    

1. 
   DanH | Apr 04, 2006 05:42am | #6

   A major reason for the concrete construction is termites, but it also helps control temps, and is more tolerant of moisture than frame.
   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

1. 
   PatchogPhil | Apr 04, 2006 05:46am | #7

   Also more tolerant to huricanes (when done right).

    

3. 
   kifo | Jun 15, 2019 10:06pm | #18

   Hey I know this really old in want to do the same can we know how this turn out for you thanks.