Building with wood? "You might wanna..."

[lostboystoy]

ok. I have been looking at container converstion, as housing. which is still an option. but I am in my 40's now I really dont need a structure that will last more than 50 years, I wont be having any children to leave it too.

I have worked with wood, building sheds, decks easy stuff, so how difficult would it be to adapt to metal 2x4's. I guess I am asking is it that much harder to work with than wood?

At this point I could be happy in a tent, just to get out of Idaho, If this house would just sell we have dropped it another 6000 thats 56000 this summer alone. So I may end up in a tent or container. ARG>>> but at least I will be where my heart and soul belongs.

At the least we will go into a rental, untill we figure things out. for worst case senerio.

Not to change the subject but are their inspectors out their that will check out a rental unit for you, so you have a heads up to what your getting into? Because if we go the rental route I want to pay my lease for a year in advance. And would hate to do that and have the house fall apart on me while the landloard has already spent my money.

setting my soul free....

[lostboystoy]

excuse my type o's sometimes my mind mouth runs faster than I can type. And I just cant look at the screen while I am typing, kinda chicken pecking. with three fingers on each hand. cant spread all 5 fingers on my laptop.

setting my soul free....

[oink]

quote:

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If this house would just sell we have dropped it another 6000 thats 56000 this summer alone.

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It may be a bit late for this advice, but in a declining marked, it's best to avoid following the market down. If you want to sell in a declining market, you need to get ahead of the market or risk following it all of the way to the bottom.

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[Carey]

Metal 2x4 studs most often available.... fairly easy to work with on NON-LOADBEARING walls, very easy to cut most gauges with tin shears, heavier gauges are best using a metal blade on your cut-off saw (& remember to wear protective eye gear... it does throw off sparks like crazy). For loadbearing, I have only worked with bolted systems, usually made for the project...

[Rob Tucker]

Metal studs can be used for structural wall framing without much difficulty.... just use a heavier gage like 18 ga. There is a carbine tipped circular saw blade that works great. The blades cost $50 but with them you can cut steel like you would wood. The biggest difference in metal framing is using screws instead of nails. And spraying the cut ends with cold zinc spray.

[lostboystoy]

thanks Oink. but dont really tell about how much we have dropped in price, since I really dont forsee anyone in their right mind would leave hawaii for Salmon Idaho. God knows I wont.

Rob thanks for the advice, I think I can adapt to working with metal, I can use a skill saw.

I am assuming that some sort of concrete siding would be best. how does stucco hold up?

setting my soul free....

[Rob Tucker]

Stucco's been around for a few thousand years and seems to still have it's place. Generally stucco color coats are, depending on exposure (wind/sand), good for 30+ years. Paint can't compete with that.

[lostboystoy]

sweet I can stucco. its actually kinda fun.

setting my soul free....

[David M]

I had never attempted metal studs until this house. Proved to be quite easy and in many cases even more fun than wood. Used both 2x4 and 2x6 types, plain simple walls, plumbing walls, and even a couple of interesting walls. Some just sheetrocked, others with hardi backer and tile. Not only eye safety but wear gloves - metal cuts really really hurt.

David

Ninole Resident

[lostboystoy]

thanks david, curious about interesting walls? I am more of an artist and want to play around with some half wall with curves almost an s shape.

setting my soul free....