House Design for Mold/Mildew Prevention

[adias]

Can the forum provide some recommendation for best practices in house design that will prevent Mold/Mildew build up? For example does the use of dry wall promote Mold/Mildew in a house? What is an alternative to drywall? (Let assume an area with lots of rain and temperature range of 60-85, so no insulation is needed)


I am thinking that perhaps the whole notion of sealing in the house tightly from the environment may not be necessary or even beneficial under these conditions. And also, if the walls are not breathable, it may create the opportunity for mold and mildew to grow.

Last time I was on the Big Island I visited Kalnai and saw their accommodations (I also dabble in Yoga). Very simple rustic cottages, which had an airy feel and good feng shui. http://www.kalani.com

The point is that their buildings didn’t use dry wall, looked like rough wood paneling on the wall and I doubt that mold and mildew have a chance to grow due to the way it was designed.

Ajit






Edited by - adias on 12/09/2005 13:19:22

[leilaniguy]

Aloha adias, you pretty much answered your own question. The singlewall T&G plank house of redwood or cedar seems to work best here in the rainforest because it is loose and breathes. Some people just have plywood studwalls and call it done. Drywall can get nasty in a hurry, is usually used in central interior (drier) walls if at all. Plank houses do get some mold, just not as much, and it can be wiped down with no damage. We keep a lot of things in ziplock bags here. Many people here have a small centrally located room or closet with a piano heater or dehumidifier to keep perishable possessions like books, photos, documents, etc.



Edited by - leilaniguy on 12/09/2005 12:56:13

[adias]

Hey LeilaniGuy!!!,
Thanks for the feedback. I was under the impression that single-walled construction was frowned on or even illegal by the building code due to seismic activity??

Also, the framing of these building didn’t look like the framing I’ve seen in stick building books. Is a different framing technique used for single wall construction?

Ajit

[Rob Tucker]

In my home I eliminated all drywall by using 1/4" cement panels with a top coat of plaster. I am eliminating paint as much as possible too. I don't like painting (and repainting) and I do not think trapping moisture on a wall with paint is a good idea here.

I am in the building material business and I provide alternatives to wood building products so my home is an example of my theories of construction. A basic idea is if I don't want termite/rot problems the easiest way to avoid them is do not build with wood. In doing this I find I avoid a number of other problems too.

Since drywall is low grade gypsum wrapped in paper (wood fiber) I eliminated that product too. I find that plaster is not too difficult and produces a very nice, durable wall.

I am experimenting with colored plasters in lieu of paint. So far paint seems quite unnecessary.

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