12-08-2009, 07:40 AM
Dennis – I missed your reference to ICF… how would you incorporate that into the design of a Ranch style if you’re intending to raise the house? I’m not sure what you mean there.
Are you going to use air conditioning in the house?
I have a bit of an issue with homes that are not air conditioned or heated but use sheetrock, insulation and conventional framing in Hawaii. The reason for this is simple - it's ventilation and air quality. Cavity type wall construction creates dead air space cavities and moisture will eventually prevail - promoting mildew if the home is not properly maintained air quality wise through heating and or cooling procedures. Mainland home construction evolved about energy issues should be tossed out the window in Hawaii if a home is not heated or cooled.
If a person isn't going to heat or cool a house in Hawaii then they need to make a breathable house. This is best achieved with a single wall constructed house, consisting of a basic frame or a post and beam/timber frame type with intermediate stiffeners for an exterior siding that has its back exposed to the interior of the home. There should be floor vents in each room allowing exterior air to flow into the room with upper wall or ceiling vents to promote a natural draft throughout the house in each room.
Single wall construction offers far less expensive finish procedures and materials too, trimming a load of building costs from the home. Not to mention the beauty and warmth that can be achieved far exceeds a conventional mainland home using sheetrock finished walls. Often each framing member can be sanded, stained and clear coated becoming part of the finish interior of the home. Wood need not be an issue in Hawaii if used properly.
There’s a little secret when finishing wood framing intended to be used in a single wall home. By using water based stains one can add sodium bicarbonate/NaHCO3 (baking soda) to the stain effectively fireproofing the finish lumbers. If a clear coat is applied, the clear coat may be combustible (just like paint on sheet rock) but the surface of the wood under the clear coat will no-longer fuel a flame because the sodium bicarbonate impedes the oxygenation process of the wood attempting to be burned.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.
Are you going to use air conditioning in the house?
I have a bit of an issue with homes that are not air conditioned or heated but use sheetrock, insulation and conventional framing in Hawaii. The reason for this is simple - it's ventilation and air quality. Cavity type wall construction creates dead air space cavities and moisture will eventually prevail - promoting mildew if the home is not properly maintained air quality wise through heating and or cooling procedures. Mainland home construction evolved about energy issues should be tossed out the window in Hawaii if a home is not heated or cooled.
If a person isn't going to heat or cool a house in Hawaii then they need to make a breathable house. This is best achieved with a single wall constructed house, consisting of a basic frame or a post and beam/timber frame type with intermediate stiffeners for an exterior siding that has its back exposed to the interior of the home. There should be floor vents in each room allowing exterior air to flow into the room with upper wall or ceiling vents to promote a natural draft throughout the house in each room.
Single wall construction offers far less expensive finish procedures and materials too, trimming a load of building costs from the home. Not to mention the beauty and warmth that can be achieved far exceeds a conventional mainland home using sheetrock finished walls. Often each framing member can be sanded, stained and clear coated becoming part of the finish interior of the home. Wood need not be an issue in Hawaii if used properly.
There’s a little secret when finishing wood framing intended to be used in a single wall home. By using water based stains one can add sodium bicarbonate/NaHCO3 (baking soda) to the stain effectively fireproofing the finish lumbers. If a clear coat is applied, the clear coat may be combustible (just like paint on sheet rock) but the surface of the wood under the clear coat will no-longer fuel a flame because the sodium bicarbonate impedes the oxygenation process of the wood attempting to be burned.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.