Building A House A Different Way

[yorkman]

Is this more for chickens to live in??

See my earlier post about the OP and the recommended supplier Same Same...

Wire.....Foam....prefabricated plastic??

[smurf384]

Another Aussie wanting to build an extension to inlaw house in Korat, can any one recommend builder/s.

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[Bpraim1]

Ahh well, I hope the business venture with the oblique advertising goes well

he is indeed suddenly very silent since the exposure

Hmm yes...

It's a shame people cannot be honest sometimes. A decent product with value for money annoys nobody, providing they reveal their interest.....

Ahh well..

What are you trying to say here York!!??

For your info I have been away building my Lego house! I would realy like it if you could clear up what you mean by this post?

[chownah]

inner wall Shera Flexi-board 8mm is screwed on.

Ok....are they installing the inner wall board with the joint being between studs? THis is how it appears in one of the pictures you posted. Seems like this will create a soft spot in the wall and make it difficult to put mud and tape the seam and to obtain a smooth surface. Do they mud and tape seams with this type of wall board? Best practice for wall board installation is usually thought to be having all verticle joints on studs.

Chownah

Edited December 31, 2007 by chownah

[Bicko]

Is this more for chickens to live in??

See my earlier post about the OP and the recommended supplier Same Same...

Wire.....Foam....prefabricated plastic??

What is it with this dude. I have just read back through all of the postings on this topic and have come to the conclusion that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. My Dad taught me when i was a kid that if i didn't have something nice or constructive to say then keep my mouth closed. He also said that we have 2 ears and 1 mouth and to use them in that ratio. I have always seen this forum as a place where we can offer information to assist other forum members. This topic is a classic example of where that has happened and a lot of valuable technical information has come forward. Whether you would choose to build a steel framed house or not is irrelevant. Bpriam chose to share his idea and most of us welcomed it and were able to subscribe some good info.

One guy chose to knock and ridicule everything that has been said. That speaks for itself

[Bpraim1]

CHow, here is what I did to over come this problem. you will see a steel tab added to join the boards together. This will help with this problem

[MrSquigle]

Another Aussie wanting to build an extension to inlaw house in Korat, can any one recommend builder/s.

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This method would be good for an extension for inlaws, easy and quick. Though the exterior finishing should be chosen to match the existing house and make it look less 'chicken pen' like.

[smurf384]

For the sceptics/ I am interested, in this process , but to match exsisting I want 2 story. So I am thinking at this stage of using a blend.

Concrete post and slab and steel studs and foam and cement sheet blue board ( available??) and up stair steel frame and foam and cement sheet blue board .

building permits and the like what sort of requirements are there???

It is good sharing of ideas. as usual you have to ignore the rubbish

[yorkman]

What are you trying to say here York!!??

For your info I have been away building my Lego house! I would realy like it if you could clear up what you mean by this post?

Clear it up, I will, easy

You want to promote sub standard construction on this forum for your financial benefit? Agreed? If you want me to tie you to the promoter of this, IT is my work

You are promoting trailer park carp (sic) in Thailand, with your own agenda.

I presume to earn a few baht....sad

I ask again, who wants a chicken house to live in? Yep... Lego

Edited December 31, 2007 by yorkman

[GungaDin]

What are you trying to say here York!!??

For your info I have been away building my Lego house! I would realy like it if you could clear up what you mean by this post?

Clear it up, I will, easy

You want to promote sub standard construction on this forum for your financial benefit? Agreed? If you want me to tie you to the promoter of this, IT is my work

You are promoting trailer park carp (sic) in Thailand, with your own agenda.

I presume to earn a few baht....sad

I ask again, who wants a chicken house to live in? Yep... Lego

What a bore you are Yorkman.

Prove your allegations or pissorf.

[Joe Walshe]

There are many, almost infinite, ways to build a house and regrettably there is not a perfect way that suits a range of climates. I have lived in Fiji as well as Thailand and while both countries are very hot, the Fijians build differently as I'm sure you do in Australia and California.

Whatever the merits or de-merits of this steel frame house I would not assume that it is better or worse than the alternatives. Many Thai houses whether block, concrete or mostly timber have good and bad points.

Sharing experiences and opinions on different building types helps us all make decisions on our own buildings. The sharing of ideas in a frank and open manner is beneficial to all.

It is unlikely we will find the ideal modern house for Thailand in terms of cost, comfort, environmental impact etc. but we may make some progress.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

[Bpraim1]

Hey Dorkman, Oh sorry Yorkman!

I do not sell these houses!

I do not make any money from this company!

But I am trying to promote this company as I have not been cheated as many have been in Thailand. I have heard to many stories of people starting to build and the price just keeps to rise.First and last prices are very different.

As for promotion of sub standard construction, you should go back to school. Besides switching from wood to steel studs. My house follows Canadian Building Spec! With some small changes to fit the climate ( Extra rust proofing, ant/termite protection, vapor barrier, and larger overhangs).

[Bpraim1]

Yorkman you should read this.

By using this service you agree;

1) You will not use thaivisa.com to post any material which is knowingly or can be reasonably construed as false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, referencing prostitution (including bargirls and barboys), referencing suicide, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law.

[MrSquigle]

What I want to know is what is the cost, say for an internal wall of this ....steel frame, pu foam, plaster board and paint, compared to ....superblock, render and paint per square meter.

[Bicko]

What I want to know is what is the cost, say for an internal wall of this ....steel frame, pu foam, plaster board and paint, compared to ....superblock, render and paint per square meter.

I have just completed the construction of almost 5,000 x 45 m2 houses in Aceh. I am the senior Engineer with a major International NGO. These houses replaced houses destroyed in the tsunami 3 years ago

The last 2,500 houses were built with core filled, deformed bar reinforced, hollow concrete block outer walls and steel frame, gyprock clad internal walls. We used steel framing in the roof, single length pressed roof sheeting and CFC infill panels in the gable ends. Floors were concrete and ceilings gyprock. All internal and external surfaces were primed and then given two finishing coats of paint. The house was fully wired with GPO's and lights in every room and a power meter. The bathroom had a fibreglass 100 litre aung naam (Mandy in Indonesia)and squat toilet, plastic door and fully lined to 1.2 metres with ceramic tiles. The septic tank system consisted of a primary tank, a grey water tank and then an overflow into a gravel filled concrete open topped, below ground level tank with vegetation to transpire off the water. The total cost of this house averaged US$12,000 across about 25 contracts.

These houses were built to a very high standard and complied with Australian/US building codes.

The cost of steel framed internal walls is about 60% of concrete filled external block walls. Hope that helps you and others MrSquiggle.

I would also like to repeat a statement that i made earlier for the benefit of the knockers. If someone had come to me with a full steel frame kit a couple of years ago i would have used it without hesitation. I have built many steel framed buildings in Afghanistan. Pakistan, East timor and Australia and it is the way to go for efficient, quick and sound buildings. Maybe not an architectural masterpiece but highly recommended and suited to earthquake and storm prone areas.

Happy New year Bpriam and enjoy your very good house mate.

[chownah]

Bicko,

so the exterior walls were reinforced concrete block....

1. How thick were the blocks?

2. What was the spacing on the rebar both for the verticles and horizontals? Were the verts grouted into the hollows of the blocks? Were the hors grouted into the hollows of the blocks with ends knocked out?

3. Was a strip foundation built under the entire block wall?...was the floor slab reinforced at the perimetre to serve as a foundation for the block walls?

4. Why did you use a steel internal frame?...just to hold up the gyprock?

Chownah

Edited January 1, 2008 by chownah

[Naam]

What are you trying to say here York!!??

For your info I have been away building my Lego house! I would realy like it if you could clear up what you mean by this post?

I ask again, who wants a chicken house to live in? Yep... Lego

Yorkman, i think the expression "chicken house" is not warranted, especially not to be stated publicly. "Bpraim" is building a house and i enjoy each and every report and picture he posts. the reason for my enjoyment is that not too much happens in my life that amuses me like Bpraim and his efforts to build (what he thinks) is the "ideal" house to live in Thailand. sometimes -when i read his scientific theories and conclusions- i feel like jumping in the pool to cool down. on other occasions my wife asks me "why these crazy outcries and uncontrolled laughter? did you again booze behind my back?"

go on Bpraim. keep on making my day(s)!

[Bicko]

Bicko,

so the exterior walls were reinforced concrete block....

1. How thick were the blocks?

100mm hollow blocks

2. What was the spacing on the rebar both for the verticles and horizontals?

Verts either side of each opening and then 1 metre centres and in 300mm from each corner, full height and tied into the footing.

One horizontal bar at about 600mm above floor level and a second bar above openings

Were the verts grouted into the hollows of the blocks?

Verts passed through the hollows of the blocks and hollows were progressively filled with a sand/ cement slurry

Were the hors grouted into the hollows of the blocks with ends knocked out?

The blocks are purpose made with a groove to accept the horizontal bar.

3. Was a strip foundation built under the entire block wall?.

Concrete strip footings were cast under the walls. Strip footings were cast on top of 600mm deep stone grouted foundations in most instances - depending on soil conditions.

..was the floor slab reinforced at the perimetre to serve as a foundation for the block walls?

One full layer of mesh in the floor 50mm from the bottom membrane lapped into the footing

4. Why did you use a steel internal frame?...just to hold up the gyprock?

Yes - quicker and cheaper and these were non load bearing walls. The roof is full width steel trusses.Chownah

[Bpraim1]

Naam,

I'm glad I can help you out!

I just want to say one thing, This is not the best way to build, but is a way that is in my budget and think could work in Issan. It's also a way that I can keep away from the same old concrete and brick construction. I know these style of house is not for all. I'm not looking for a mansion, just a small house to live in.

Plus it is fun learning new things. We will never learn if we don't try!

Well I am off again tomorrow night to finish my home, So will be back on in 2 weeks to report again.

[GungaDin]

BP, have you published a floor plan?

If not, could you please?

cheers

GD

[Bpraim1]

Gung

This is the floor plan that I came up with.

[MrSquigle]

Naam,

I'm glad I can help you out!

I just want to say one thing, This is not the best way to build, but is a way that is in my budget and think could work in Issan. It's also a way that I can keep away from the same old concrete and brick construction. I know these style of house is not for all. I'm not looking for a mansion, just a small house to live in.

Plus it is fun learning new things. We will never learn if we don't try!

Well I am off again tomorrow night to finish my home, So will be back on in 2 weeks to report again.

Good on you BP, this now makes much more sense...to me at least.

While I do not like the style, I do agree with certain points in it, like I can see that I WOULD use it for internal walls, but I would still prefer block or stone exterior walls, just my preferance.

Good luck with it.

Oh and don't worry about Naam, he just needs something to keep him amused since physics classes 1 on 1 stopped humouring him decades ago.

[Naam]

Oh and don't worry about Naam, he just needs something to keep him amused since physics classes 1 on 1 stopped humouring him decades ago.

i don't know how i managed this dull life before i discovered TV-Forum AND i have to apologize to Bpraim as i wrongly attributed to him another poster's advice which was something like:

"ceilings should not be insulated as the hot room air has to ventilate through the ceilings into the attic"

as far as Bpraim's (extremely well insulated) house is concerned, my opinion is that without a minimum of airconditioning the inside will become unbearably hot. if however airconditioning is used the energy cost will be quite low. something else i have problems to comprehend is the claim that this kind of construction is cheaper than a conventional one, especially in Isaan province where labour is dirt cheap. in this respect i just have to believe that Bpraim has done his homework.

[MrSquigle]

yeah the ceiling one was good.

He may not need aircon to cool it if he had plenty of airflow from windows etc and lived in an area with a natural good supply of cool breeze....however the site does not look like it is located in such a place and it will need aircon to cool it, but then as stated, it should stay that way quite easily.

One thing with the cost, I believe just by looking at it, it is cheaper, but what I want to know is by how much exactly. The cast off between the look of this and other methods in my opinion would not be worth the cost saving as I think it is a small amount.

I like things pleasing to my eye, that is why my wife looks the way she does and not what I saw a guy with the other day....must have been a bet for sure.

Edited January 2, 2008 by MrSquigle

[Naam]

I like things pleasing to my eye, that is why my wife looks the way she does

i take it she is not Aussie but plain mediocre? (referring to the pictures in "bedlam")

[MrSquigle]

bugger....forgot about that angle.

What's a 'bedlam' ?

Cute and mediocre at some things, but excell in all the good areas...will suffice.

[yorkman]

bugger....forgot about that angle.

What's a 'bedlam' ?

Cute and mediocre at some things, but excell in all the good areas...will suffice.

I am still wondering about the "Dorkman" allegation..

Hmm..this ideal house...NGO emergency accommodation excepted.

To be honest I would rather live in a typical Thai house (built as a shop house, above floods, but hey, what do they know? )

than this slum housing

Edited January 4, 2008 by yorkman

[Gary A]

Quite frankly I think this is an excellent building technique and I think he will be VERY pleased as far as the house being energy efficient. Unfortunately I think it is simply too expensive or maybe not too expensive but rather, more expensive than hollow cement blocks. The spray on foam is VERY expensive. At this point, I am looking at a double block outside wall with simple Styrofoam sandwiched between the block strings. Steel truss rafters using fiberglass in the ceiling also seems the best and most economical option. The house would be a single story built on a slab. Baht for baht, I feel like I would have a much more solid feeling home.

[soundman]

Quite frankly I think this is an excellent building technique and I think he will be VERY pleased as far as the house being energy efficient. Unfortunately I think it is simply too expensive or maybe not too expensive but rather, more expensive than hollow cement blocks. The spray on foam is VERY expensive. At this point, I am looking at a double block outside wall with simple Styrofoam sandwiched between the block strings. Steel truss rafters using fiberglass in the ceiling also seems the best and most economical option. The house would be a single story built on a slab. Baht for baht, I feel like I would have a much more solid feeling home.

Maybe this is why his wife is calling it "bahn cut toon".

Anyway, the project looks good & hopefully bpraim will be happy with the finished product & get all the enjoyment out of building his own house.

I, if I am invited, am going to look at the finished home.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[yorkman]

What are you trying to say here York!!??

For your info I have been away building my Lego house! I would realy like it if you could clear up what you mean by this post?

I ask again, who wants a chicken house to live in? Yep... Lego

Yorkman, i think the expression "chicken house" is not warranted, especially not to be stated publicly. "Bpraim" is building a house and i enjoy each and every report and picture he posts. the reason for my enjoyment is that not too much happens in my life that amuses me like Bpraim and his efforts to build (what he thinks) is the "ideal" house to live in Thailand. sometimes -when i read his scientific theories and conclusions- i feel like jumping in the pool to cool down. on other occasions my wife asks me "why these crazy outcries and uncontrolled laughter? did you again booze behind my back?"

go on Bpraim. keep on making my day(s)!

Oooops sorry, maybe Chicken house goes too far.

I had the misfortune to visit Soweto near Johannesburg in South Africa some 10 years ago. The accommadation looked remarkedly similar to the OP's pictures.

But now they are charging tourists for a trip around Soweto, perhaps this is the long term business venture?????