Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build

[KubotainNH]

Mark,
I have never heard of a certificate of occupancy and wouldn稚 know how to get one.

Ours came from the town hall just like the builders permit. Building inspector comes in and checks everything out before signing off. On our building loan we had to have it 90 or 95% completed by a certain date, this included having the occupancy permit. The loan then turned into a normal fixed rate mortgage.

 

[mjncad]

If you read through Sam's thread in detail, you'll discover that Oklahoma imposes very little in building regulations for residential property. If I recall correctly, the only permit Sam had to pull was for his septic system. With that in mind, what Gummint bureaucrat is going to give him a C.O.?

As far as I can tell, Sam and his family can move in anytime they darn well please.

 

[sajurcaju]

Door framing on our Terra Dome house in Maine.

1597 and 1598 are interior framing on a 36" door. The molding was planed to a useful thickness, shimmed where needed and the outside edge caulked. Without the caulking, some of it was unsupported and might have split if leaned on. 1600 is the exterior.

1601-1603 are shots of what I made for the 7x9 openings on the shop and barn. I specifically didn't want an overhead door track in the shop, swinging doors seemed like a good idea. I'm a blacksmith in my spare time, the hinges were straightforward but a lot of work. There are a total of 12 hinges (three door openings). The pin sits in a bronze bushing.

The gap down the middle is filled with door brush material to keep out most of the draft. I plan on adding some solar hot air panels next summer.

Steve

 

[jayste]

Door framing on our Terra Dome house in Maine.

1597 and 1598 are interior framing on a 36" door. The molding was planed to a useful thickness, shimmed where needed and the outside edge caulked. Without the caulking, some of it was unsupported and might have split if leaned on. 1600 is the exterior.

1601-1603 are shots of what I made for the 7x9 openings on the shop and barn. I specifically didn't want an overhead door track in the shop, swinging doors seemed like a good idea. I'm a blacksmith in my spare time, the hinges were straightforward but a lot of work. There are a total of 12 hinges (three door openings). The pin sits in a bronze bushing.

The gap down the middle is filled with door brush material to keep out most of the draft. I plan on adding some solar hot air panels next summer.

Steve

Nice work on the hinges, Steve. I'd like to see a thread and some pics of some of your projects sometime!:thumbsup:

 

[KubotainNH]

If you read through Sam's thread in detail, you'll discover that Oklahoma imposes very little in building regulations for residential property. If I recall correctly, the only permit Sam had to pull was for his septic system. With that in mind, what Gummint bureaucrat is going to give him a C.O.?

As far as I can tell, Sam and his family can move in anytime they darn well please.

Well, the thread is 56 pages long. I've read most of it in the past few months but have no need to remember all the details. Sounds like Oklahoma may be a good place to live if so little regulations. That should mean the insurance rules are also different.

 

[mjncad]

Well, the thread is 56 pages long. I've read most of it in the past few months but have no need to remember all the details. Sounds like Oklahoma may be a good place to live if so little regulations. That should mean the insurance rules are also different.

Sorry about the apparent chastisement for not reading Sam's thread in detail as that isn't what I meant to say.

The lack of Gummint interference in OK sounds good to me; but I'm sure the state has its downsides too.

 

[jinman]

The lack of Gummint interference in OK sounds good to me; but I'm sure the state has its downsides too.

Yep! Those OU Sooners who come down to the Cotton Bowl for the OU-TX game against the Longhorns. I guess you could also say that casinos everywhere are a downside, but I don't hear many complaints. Oklahoma, to my eyes, is a remarkably beautiful state as long as you have plenty of water and soap to wash the red dirt off of everything.

 

[mjncad]

I've never been to either state; but I could care less about casinos being everywhere. I don't gamble, so I don't go to the few casinos we have here; but I could care less if people enjoy them.

For me, my concern with OK is tornadoes (yes, we have them here too), heat (yes, we have heat too), and possible humidity. I like our dry climate.

From what I hear about OK, I do like minimal Gummint intrusion compared to California or California Junior (Colorado).

 

[SamWalton]

Door framing on our Terra Dome house in Maine.

1597 and 1598 are interior framing on a 36" door. The molding was planed to a useful thickness, shimmed where needed and the outside edge caulked. Without the caulking, some of it was unsupported and might have split if leaned on. 1600 is the exterior.

1601-1603 are shots of what I made for the 7x9 openings on the shop and barn. I specifically didn't want an overhead door track in the shop, swinging doors seemed like a good idea. I'm a blacksmith in my spare time, the hinges were straightforward but a lot of work. There are a total of 12 hinges (three door openings). The pin sits in a bronze bushing.

The gap down the middle is filled with door brush material to keep out most of the draft. I plan on adding some solar hot air panels next summer.

Steve

Steve,
I like what you have done with your doors. I understand the difficulty in getting a Terra Dome to look good. We had some major problems with our great room exterior door. The wall and door frame are jacked to the outside at the top left corner looking outside. We installed the door with that top left corner being almost 3/4" of it's frame on the inside of the room. I believe Terra Dome could have a much nicer product if Jay would invest in some new forms. While I am being critical about Terra Dome I would also like to say they could also learn how to pitch the elevation of the roof area.

It will be nice to finally get the exterior looking nice. We will just wait to save the cash. I have a real fear of bank control, loans or mortgages. The corporations are the biggest crooks and they are not done with stealing our wealth yet, so I will keep our property free of leans.

Thanks for the pictures Steve, your home is awesome! It is also great you are a blacksmith. Those skills may be in great demand again. The end of affordable oil is upon us. I would like to know more about your plans for the future.

 

[SamWalton]

Well, the thread is 56 pages long. I've read most of it in the past few months but have no need to remember all the details. Sounds like Oklahoma may be a good place to live if so little regulations. That should mean the insurance rules are also different.

Mike,
One thing I found out about Oklahoma is that the Insurance is very high, at least in Sequoyah County. From what I have been told this is because a larger crowd of people in this county don't have a problem with burning their homes or wrecking their vehicles for finical reasons.