Single Wall vs Double Wall Construction

[soulrebel]

That multifacetted homes link is kinda what I've been looking for... anybody have any experiences with that company?

[Francesca]

quote:

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Originally posted by soulrebel

That multifacetted homes link is kinda what I've been looking for... anybody have any experiences with that company?

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Be careful. My husband heard some really negative stuff. One couple ended up paying double what they were quoted. The reason is that the labor was very high because of the complexity of these homes.

We're building a single-wall home and used an HPM design that we changed a bit. It's a one bedroom and is 672 sf. We're getting quotes now and trying to figure out all of the costs. I'm surprised at how much the windows are going to cost. So far, not much is coming in under my guess. The good news is that things have slowed down, so you can get the trades people to come out now. One guy told my husband that a year ago he wouldn't have considered doing such a small job. So, that's good.

[Hotzcatz]

quote:

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Originally posted by Francesca

Hotzcatz, Do you happen to know who built the single-wall homes you designed? We're trying to find someone with experience building this sort of home to build ours, but so far no luck.

Thanks!

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The last one (their housewarming is on the 20th of this month) was owner-builder and she hired a pair of carpenter guys to help her. I'm not sure who they were exactly, but I can find out at the housewarming.

[architect]

My wife and I moved to Pahoa on the Big Island from Texas in 2012. I am an architect, and I became interested in single wall construction. We bought a lot in Hawaiian Shores Recreational Estates about 250 feet off the ocean. I designed a single wall home for us, found a really good builder, and it is under construction as of July 2013. As prolific as single wall construction once was in Hawaii I was surprised to learn that many of the workers on our house, even some who have been in the business for several decades, have never actually been involved in the construction of a single wall construction home.

This is an incredible experience. Everyone connected with this project appears to be excited about it. We are attempting to pay respect to the spirit of the single wall style of building, while at the same time incorporating sound construction techniques. We are framing the building with heavy timbers and cladding the walls with 2x6 tongue and groove white fir, painted on the outside and stained and varnished on the inside. There is no attic. All the heavy timbers in this project are left exposed, and we are using 2x6 wood tongue and groove roof decking, topped with a peel and stick roof underlayment and a white 24 gauge deep rib corrugated metal roof.

There is no insulation, but we are using 3'-0" overhangs and very large windows and ridge vents to maximize shade and rain protection and to maximize ventilation. In Hawaii near the ocean if you have shade and ventilation you just about have it all.

[unknownjulie]

This sounds really beautiful. I live in an old single wall house and really like it. Pros- easy to keep clean, walls very durable, looks cool, can jack up the house using a carjack (per landlord) Cons- hear outside noises, insulation only in attic.

[Rob Tucker]

I lived in a single wall for a couple years. Single wall has an aesthetic but sound wise it is like living in a paper bag.

[hereonearth]

I presently live in a single wall home that was built in the early 90's. There are 4x12 beams at the top of the exterior walls and 4x4s posts with diagonals and the belly band is on the inside of the home, acting as a rail on which all windows are set (approx. 3' high) All 4x4s are painted,the exterior is 1x8 cedar, left natural inside and out. There is sheetrock in the kitchen and bath, which hide the plumbing. Electric outlets appear as boxes with wood chases hiding the wires. This is hardly noticeable against the natural cedar. However, be aware that historical single wall construction in Hawaii did not use a typical top plate or beam at all! They just ran the siding vertically with a 2x at top, bottom and middle if that! What architect above is describing is more like a post and beam style. I bet it will be lovely! One side note: termites will eat cedar....

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by David M

Ajit
My thoughts on single vs double wall construction.

WARNING - the following rants are solely MHO and not directed to anyone specifically, nor based on anything other than my observations:

No matter how you cut it, the house building industry is all about money. Double wall uses way more material, different materials, different suppliers, therefore it costs more - share the wealth. That may seem contradictory when you consider the single wall used a far better grade of material, but I suspect the pure profit potential is far greater in the poorer material. Also far less waste in single wall.
Single wall requires a higher level of craftsmanship, basically there is no way to hide the screwups, therefore you have to higher craftsmen and not just laborers. Framers=Finish=Trim. This also applies to subs like electricians and plumbers. I've been in a number of single walled homes, that the surface mounted wiring blends in so well, it is very difficult to see - that takes planning and skill - a lot easier to hide everything behind sheetrock.
The more it costs a contractor to build, the more profit, based on his % markup.
I recently got to observe a fairly minor remodel of a single wall structure. To me it was darn inspiring to see the level of attention to detail.
I can also understand why you may have been told single wall doesn't meet code given the current trend to build with maximum simspson-strong ties with a bit of wood to fill in the gaps. As for code... na, better leave that rant for another time.

PS. Back 25+ years ago, I owned a single wall house on Oahu. My neighbor helped me expand it, basically by pushing one wall out 8 feet the total length of the building. We dismantled that wall, then rebuilt it using the original material without loosing a piece.

End of rant

David

Ninole Resident

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Wow! Someone who thinks like me, but without the rant.