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Daniel, With your experience you should well know that what you asked me was the equivalent of 'How much does a car cost'? But the fact is I don't track the wood frame stuff anymore... my customers do that.
My primary concern with building structures is that they are affordable, well built, energy efficient and will last for generations with minimal maintenance. I will add that I have more confidence in an owner built home than a contractor built home.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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O.K. An Accord is cheaper than a BMW. Spec: 4 wheels.
BTW, I am NOT suggesting that a stick-frame house is better quality than the methods that you use.
Also, anyone can use the wrong wood or use it improperly, as you have pointed out.
Missin' my Trade,
Dan
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i thought we were talking about post/pier vs slab.
the doc is in...
the doc is in...
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It is a matter of personal preference.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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quote:
Originally posted by DrWho
i thought we were talking about post/pier vs slab.
the doc is in...
Doc, if you haven't gotten enough on post/pier issue, try the search, but I think most has been covered.
Good Luck
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I think I've finally figured out the "suitable materials" issue.
If you're building any kind of monument to future generations (even just a nice house to leave to your kids someday), use Castleblock, SIPs, steel framing, and Rumber. The planning and materials costs are negligible over a hundred-year minimum useful life.
If you're building an unpermitted shack, and you expect to leave the island within a decade (because there's no economy to speak of, maybe you need better medical care, the lava comes to your house, whatever), wood is perfectly fine, and you can even "get it today".
My problem is that I want the quality of the first option, and the availability of the second option... my projects are permit-exempt, which means there's no "spare" months in the schedule while I wait for County, so I'm building things with wood even though wood kind of sucks. It would be really great if local retailers stocked Rumber... but they don't.
Rephrased in the form of a question: given that alternatives to wood exist, and are superior, why can't I buy them over-the-counter?
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there are wood buildings from the 1920s in hilo. there are also wood boats from the 1800s which are still floating. it all comes down to maintanence
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the doc is in...
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Kalakoa is right. If you are building for the short term and only interested in cheap and fast..... by all means head for HPM and go over the counter.
Dr. Who. Yep, There are old buildings and boats about. Not many. I recall working on a restoration from the 18th century in Virginia. People would walk up and say: "Boy they sure built them good in the old days." To which we would reply: "You're only looking at the few that survived... and this one was built by slaves. Labor wasn't an issue for them."
Assume the best and ask questions.
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if there was a package house from non wood products that was similar in price per sq foot to HPM or hansador i would be all over it. but this like everything else follows the simple rule that you get what you pay for. i learned that in bankok LOL.
the doc is in...
the doc is in...
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...right back to that question: why isn't there standardized non-wood kit available at retail? Is it just "too expensive" compared to wood?
Taking the long view: why aren't we using cheap solar and/or geothermal power for local production of alternative building materials made from recycled feedstock? Take your load of hi-5 to the mill, trade for plastic 2x4s...
