07-22-2018, 04:56 AM
What do people in Hilo do with their single-wall homes when the temperature outside is 90F+?
They go to the beach?
Most of the vintage homes in Hilo utilize clever architectural techniques and features that became "obsolete" with the advent of grid power and air conditioning.
It's hard to catch a breeze at ground level and surrounded by trees. Clear a meadow on the windward side, or build a second story, or both, it makes a huge difference.
Plain tin roof radiates heat directly into the house, but with a higher peak, good orientation, some ventilation, this heat will convect out nicely. White roofing also helps.
Air is a poor conductor of heat. Deeper overhangs. If bothering with double-wall + insulation + barriers, focus on the side of the house where the sun shines.
Note that conventional framing with 2x6 means you can fit R-19 in the wall (and use 24" centers instead of 16" -- it works out to substantially less material).
If using pallet wood I would treat it to make it less termite friendly.
Pallets are difficult to disassemble because they use fluted nails. There is a technique (possibly a special machine) for cutting the nails so you end up with full-size boards. I have an "art project" in mind: cut the boards to even multiples of stud spacing, dip batches of them in clear colored stain, then "brick" the wall to make ... a kalakoa finish.
They go to the beach?
Most of the vintage homes in Hilo utilize clever architectural techniques and features that became "obsolete" with the advent of grid power and air conditioning.
It's hard to catch a breeze at ground level and surrounded by trees. Clear a meadow on the windward side, or build a second story, or both, it makes a huge difference.
Plain tin roof radiates heat directly into the house, but with a higher peak, good orientation, some ventilation, this heat will convect out nicely. White roofing also helps.
Air is a poor conductor of heat. Deeper overhangs. If bothering with double-wall + insulation + barriers, focus on the side of the house where the sun shines.
Note that conventional framing with 2x6 means you can fit R-19 in the wall (and use 24" centers instead of 16" -- it works out to substantially less material).
If using pallet wood I would treat it to make it less termite friendly.
Pallets are difficult to disassemble because they use fluted nails. There is a technique (possibly a special machine) for cutting the nails so you end up with full-size boards. I have an "art project" in mind: cut the boards to even multiples of stud spacing, dip batches of them in clear colored stain, then "brick" the wall to make ... a kalakoa finish.