House Construction Photos

[elkangorito]

I have asked in the past how they earth the house, answer was they connect to the roof, which is welded to re-bar, so this goes to earth, semed acceptable to me - Is It?

Cheers

No! This IS NOT acceptable. Without going into technical details (too much), there will be too much resistance to EARTH through all the connections to earth. And of course, the main question is, how is the re-bar connected to earth? If it is not via a copper sheathed steel earth stake (which are available in Thailand, although a pure copper stake will do), then you DO NOT have an effective earth. It is of the utmost importance that the resistance to earth be less than 1 ohm. To find this out requires complicated test equipment BUT, if you have an appropriate earth stake, (from which a cable that runs to the Main Earth Bar in your distribution board...usually at least 4mm squared "cross sectional area"), which is buried at least to 600mm, it is generally ok. By the way, the cable must be connected to the stake with an appropriate clamp. When this is done, the connection must be painted with an acrylic paint (water based) to prevent oxidisation & therefore maintain a low resistance connection.

I have seen the standard of welding in Thailand & I would not trust it for 1 second to provide a low resistance join.

Again, it is imperative that the Main Earth Bar in your distribution board, to be directly connected to the earth stake via a minimum 4mm squared cable (greater than this size is better). Then, it ia also imperative that the Main Earth Bar be connected to the Main Neutral Bar (an MEN link) to provide the necessary 2 paths to earth. If any of the above is not done, then you are at risk of electrocution, should an appliance become faulty & the metal chassis of the appliance become live. This means that YOU will become the current's path to earth.

SO...the only thing left is to ensure that all metal chassis appliances are connected to earth via the earth pin on their plugs. In Thailand, they still use the dangerous American system...that is, appliances are delivered without a 3 pin plug (2 pin) & you have to change the plug to a three pin as well as ensure that you have connected the appliance's chassis earth to the new 3 pin plug.

Other benefits of using the MEN system (which is supposed to be used in Thailand) is that you will eliminate floating voltages on your neutral. A floating neutral voltage can cause many problems with sensitive devices, such as computers & other such electronic devices (TV's etc).

Also, please remember that RCD's will only work if they have good earth & neutral connections...but RCD's MUST be considered as a "2nd line of defense". An MEN system IS the "first line of defense".

I hope this helps.

[stevehaigh]

Here are some pictures of my house http://www.buildingthailand.com/myhousepics/index.htm

I have a slightly unconventional design, I have 4 bedrooms/bathrooms downstairs and the kitchen/living area is upstairs to maximize the view. The house is 10m x 10m, so that’s 200sqm on the 2 main floors. I also have a utility room under the house and beer drinking lounge in the roof space which has a sunset view. As you can see, the upstairs is completely open except for a small bathroom in the corner. When it rains, I have roll down plastic screens which admittedly is a pain in the behind.

I have marble floors downstairs and wood floors upstairs. All the doors and windows are teak. The stairs, handrails and balusters are maai dtua-lang, no idea what that is in English. The house is seriously over built from a structural point of view. I use 8x8 wood posts to hold up the roof when 6x6 would do, I use big steel brackets and plates to tie everything together. I figured I would rather spend and extra 10-20% or so and get a house that will last.

The house cost is 2.5M bhat. You can see the breakdown of the actual costs at http://www.buildingthailand.com/btl-ch20.pdf . Bear in mind that I live on an island and getting ripped off is a way of life. On the mainland I would expect about a 10-20% saving.

I use solar hot water heating which works really well. I have rain gutters and 4, 2000ltr water tanks so I don’t often need to use government water. All the glass is reflective from the outside to keep the heat down and provide a bit of privacy. The roof overhang is almost 2 meters, also to keep the heat down and protect the wood from the sun. I have 2, 9000BTU air conditioners in the 2 front bedrooms.

Having the living area high up provides other advantages beside a good view. I get more privacy from the neighbors and I believe that many bugs don’t fly this high (maybe that’s just wishful thinking but I rarely see mosquitoes up here).

I don’t have a blog but the full story of how my house was build and more importantly, how it should have been built is in my book, Building Thai Land, http://www.buildingthailand.com.

[udon]

Hi Steve,

excellent pics and a beautiful house.

What height are your base poles?

3M?

Do you find that the elevation keeps the house cooler?

I go along with the 2m eaves, shades the walls and windows. (Qlder style)

[stevehaigh]

Hi Steve,

excellent pics and a beautiful house.

What height are your base poles?

3M?

Do you find that the elevation keeps the house cooler?

I go along with the 2m eaves, shades the walls and windows. (Qlder style)

by base poles I assume you mean from the ground to the main floor. the land is on a slight slope so it ranges from about 2m to 3m.

yes, i usually get a a bit of a breeze even when the air is completely still at ground level. I think the marble floors add a feeling of coolness under foot too. i didn't put any kind of insulation anywhere, i rely mostly on lots air flow to keep things coolish. i don't like air conditioned air and only use the AC when realy hot and me and the missus are working hard in the bedroom if you know what i mean (and how could you not!)

[Sir Burr]

Your house is very nice. Interesting design.

You can't go wrong if you build a house suited to the tropics ie. on stilts, high ceilings and a large volume roof. That's the way they do it in most tropical countries. Keeps the house cool when there was no such thing as air-conditioners.

A picture of my house in Phuket below.

Edited January 28, 2006 by Sir Burr

[udon]

Nice one Burr, any aircon at all?

[Sir Burr]

Thanks Udon, only in the bedrooms. They get used in April only.

[stevehaigh]

Your house is very nice. Interesting design.

You can't go wrong if you build a house suited to the tropics ie. on stilts, high ceilings and a large volume roof. That's the way they do it in most tropical countries. Keeps the house cool when there was no such thing as air-conditioners.

A picture of my house in Phuket below.

thanks, your house looks great. do you have more detailed pictures anywhere?

about building on stilts, it amazes me that so many people do not. this rainy season i saw so many houses pumping water out of the house because they built at ground level on a low plain or next to a stream.

[udon]

Thanks Udon, only in the bedrooms. They get used in April only.

What height are your ceilings?

I presume you have ceiling fans?

I saw ceiling fans outside the Office Bar on Sukh 33 with upturned tips, apparently a modification to increase the draught.

cheers

[Sir Burr]

The ceilings are 3.5 mtrs rising to 5 mtrs where the fans are installed.

I think high ceilings are a must if you want a cool house. It only costs a little bit more in brick/block. Very cheap really.

The stilts are 2.5 mtrs which frees up all the space under the house. Not only are stilts astheticly pleasing and stops the house absorbing ground heat, but, as I am totally paranoid about termites, you can see the little fvckers if they attempt a break-in.

[RAZZELL]

Beautiful house...

[stevehaigh]

The ceilings are 3.5 mtrs rising to 5 mtrs where the fans are installed.

I think high ceilings are a must if you want a cool house. It only costs a little bit more in brick/block. Very cheap really.

The stilts are 2.5 mtrs which frees up all the space under the house. Not only are stilts astheticly pleasing and stops the house absorbing ground heat, but, as I am totally paranoid about termites, you can see the little fvckers if they attempt a break-in.

how many square meters and do you mind telling us how much it cost? i really like the roof design, and the tile, i wish more people built thai style. so many farangs around here are building mediterainian style villas, it really pisses me off. if i was in charge of building on this island i would have a strict policy on making things look thai, or at least classic.

[Sir Burr]

how many square meters and do you mind telling us how much it cost? i really like the roof design, and the tile, i wish more people built thai style. so many farangs around here are building mediterainian style villas, it really pisses me off. if i was in charge of building on this island i would have a strict policy on making things look thai, or at least classic.

The upper inside area is 194 sq.mtrs. If you add the wrap around terrace, it comes to 284 sq.mtrs.

On the ground level, there is a maid's room with bathroom (no maid, I have a wife), a laundry and a store-room which comes to another 24 sq.mtrs.

The total land area is 1.6 rai.

The house and sala came to about 5.5 million baht, mainly because the roof tiles are terracotta, as is the majority of the floor tiles. All the doors and windows are teak (my paranoia with termites is showing) which also jacked up the price.

Land, house, sala, landscaping, reticulation, automatic gates etc came to a total of 8.5 million baht. Was built in the year 2000.

Edited January 29, 2006 by Sir Burr

[BKK90210]

how many square meters and do you mind telling us how much it cost? i really like the roof design, and the tile, i wish more people built thai style. so many farangs around here are building mediterainian style villas, it really pisses me off. if i was in charge of building on this island i would have a strict policy on making things look thai, or at least classic.

The reason there is no Thai building department to regulate the Thai architectural style because most Thais do not like to have Thai style homes...a few maybe. The mentality for most Thais is that if you're a thai and still living in thai style home-especially with lots of wood panel...you're not hip and out dated. Only most farangs built this type...it's going to be a tough sell to the thai families....unless the house is in some rural area somewhere.

I know this because I'd lived in Thailand for 16 yrs, attended thai school, can speak, read, and write thai very well....and always visit my thai family side once a year.

[Sir Burr]

Sorry, attached the wrong photo. Here's the sala complete with dedicated beer fridge.

[udon]

To Steve & Burr,

thanks for sharing info & pix of your houses.

For anyone who is worried about termites, have a look at Termimesh before building.

My concept house is based on a Qlder.

Pole house

Another view of the Pole house

Too much glass in these pics, but it would be on 3m poles with 2 large rainwater tanks at the rear.

Floor plan...

B/R No. 3 would be a linen/junk room & I like the walk-in pantry in the kitchen & I'd double the size of the shower areas & dump the bath...

Verandah goes all around and is 2m wide covered by 3m eaves.

I'd use steel wherever possible.

Bronco has offered to design a simple lift for me at the rear...

All doorways wide enough for a wheelchair, lever handles on all doors and oversized light switches.

I have Sketchup 5 and Smartdraw 7 but haven't mastered either, yet.

Very frustrating to be over 60 & IT dumb!

[N&M]

Queenslanders, awesome houses. I have a pic of one I love stored away for future referance when I decide to design my final retiremant house.

We are building a house now that has a lot of glass, modern style, but hopefully with the roof design and overhang, the glass style, the insulation and the aspect of the house for north south etc and the main living and viewing areas outside, it will be out of sunlight and be relatively easy to keep cool.

[udon]

Queenslanders, awesome houses. I have a pic of one I love stored away for future referance when I decide to design my final retiremant house.

We are building a house now that has a lot of glass, modern style, but hopefully with the roof design and overhang, the glass style, the insulation and the aspect of the house for north south etc and the main living and viewing areas outside, it will be out of sunlight and be relatively easy to keep cool.

Well. show us yr pic!

My floorplan is from Kitome

More Qlders are Here.

Paal specialise in steel framed kit homes.

Google: Kit homes Australia.

[Sir Burr]

Sexy looking house Udon. When do you start construction?

Never been to Queensland, but, it does remind me of some of the old colonial houses I saw in Kenya, of all places.

[N&M]

The pic is a tear off from a newspaper ad I saw possibly in the Cairns Post. great house, so I pulled it out to keep for future referance, but cannot post it cos not on me puter.

But when I get some 3d's drawing of the house we are building, I will put them up, but lol nowhere near a queenslander.

[udon]

Sexy looking house Udon. When do you start construction?

Never been to Queensland, but, it does remind me of some of the old colonial houses I saw in Kenya, of all places.

Until I get back to LOS, I have no idea.

The basic Qlder design has been around for nrly 200 years...... those pioneers in Qld certainly had their heads screwed on right.

I rented a beautiful house in BKK before I left, architect designed and no insulation.

The walls radiated heat inside for about 5 hours after sunset, and no insulation in the roof.

Built 1970.

My aircon bill was more than my rent!

I learned a lot from that house.

[tuky]

Sorry, attached the wrong photo. Here's the sala complete with dedicated beer fridge.

I reckon you and I could be great friends Sir

[Sir Burr]

Sorry, attached the wrong photo. Here's the sala complete with dedicated beer fridge.

I reckon you and I could be great friends Sir

Tuky, if you and the missus are ever down Phuket way, you can take it for a test drive.

[elkangorito]

Well, it appears that nobody seems interested in the electrical aspect of their new home(s). Of course, I could be wrong. Nonetheless, it's only a matter of time before people get "zapped" & then begin to ask questions...if they are alive to do so.

[udon]

Well, it appears that nobody seems interested in the electrical aspect of their new home(s). Of course, I could be wrong. Nonetheless, it's only a matter of time before people get "zapped" & then begin to ask questions...if they are alive to do so.

Not true, Roo.

It was a helpful post, some members may have saved your post for when they start to build.

There is also a lot of info on Coolthaihouse.com

Just ignore anything posted by member thelimey.

[tuky]

Well, it appears that nobody seems interested in the electrical aspect of their new home(s). Of course, I could be wrong. Nonetheless, it's only a matter of time before people get "zapped" & then begin to ask questions...if they are alive to do so.

Not true, Roo.

It was a helpful post, some members may have saved your post for when they start to build.

There is also a lot of info on Coolthaihouse.com

Just ignore anything posted by member thelimey.

I agree, a lot of folks are perhaps afriad to face up to their fie pompems, my wife is a great example. Short Fai, mai me bpen ha, safe-t-cut take care.

A lot of take notice mate, start complaigning when your swamped with PM's asking for advice.

(I may even be the first)

Are you a sparky in LoS? Do you call out?

I would be interested in a full house inspection, and rectification. We suffer "short Fia" every day.

[glassdude007]

Sorry, attached the wrong photo. Here's the sala complete with dedicated beer fridge.

hello again sir bur!!!! who cuts the grass???????

[Sir Burr]

hello again sir bur!!!! who cuts the grass???????

Not me, that's for sure!

Have contractors come round once a month.

[Mook]

Our house

Our main house is about 170 m2 big. have also a guest bungalow with 40m2 and a garage with a bathroom, with abut 100 m2

the land area is about 4 Rai.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?ac...cmd=si&img=2961

[elkangorito]

Sorry about my post. I didn't mean it to sound as though I was bitching.

My plans are to return to LOS before the end of this year & I will be starting an electrical business. Of course, Thais will be employed to do the work (as required by law) but I will be there to supervise every step.

I am an Australian Electrical Fitter/Mechanic by trade, with an 'A' Grade license. I became a tradesman in 1983 & worked in all facets of the industry for about 7 years as a tradesman. I began electrical engineering in 1990 & am now a Facilities Manager (a bloody awful job) & I'm looking forward to getting back to "electrical" & escaping the stress of the Australian workplace. I've also served time in the RAAF as a radio technician & the RAN in electrical (5 years total).

I've searched for electrical standards in Thailand but can't find any. I'm assuming that Thailand is slowly adopting the ISO standards, which are very good. If anybody knows anything about "Standards" in Thailand, I'd love to know about them.

Again, apologies for seeming bitchy.