Finally building the house

[docone]

Good morning Eddie, I wasn,t sure if anyone was still following this thread. I was having some issues with posting pics last night, but there are more to come... stay tuned

 

[EddieWalker]

Sadly, a lot of people that follow threads do not post comments. You can see how many people look at it and that's a good indication of how you're doing, but unless there is a problem, or somebody notices something out of the ordinary, they just don't say anything.

 

[joeyd]

Just so you know, I'm watching! :laughing:

 

[ovrszd]

I've been building for 13 months now. Got my shop done. Should be in the house in the next couple weeks. It's a long arduous road. Hope things start going better for you!!!!

 

[docone]

Hi All, here are some more pics to enjoy, or critique, which ever you prefer....

 

[docone]

and some more....

 

[docone]

That brings us pretty much up to date, except for the retaining wall and deck pilings, still working on that.hope you have enjoyed my "little" project, and I'll keep up the posts after the stucco and siding accents are done. BTW, I'm hiring out the stucco. so far the house cost is sitting at 180K, all in.

 

[KennyG]

Is the poured concrete construction common up there? I've seen this a lot in Europe but almost never in the US.

 

[EddieWalker]

Looks like you've built a castle!!!!! How many square feet will you have?

 

[docone]

KennyG, no it is not common to go all the way , most stop at the basement level. I just thought that it made sense to build something that will be here long after I'm gone.

Eddie, the first floor and basement are 900sqft each, and the loft area is 600sqft. Not to big, but enough to be comfortable. Hydronic heat on all floors, nat gas boiler and two nat gas fireplaces. Walls work out to R60, Attic is R56.
Two spare bdrms , mech rm, theatre area, 3/4 bath and craft rm in the basement, 10 X 12 cold room off mech rm, main floor is kitchen, dining, living rm, pantry and entry off kitchen, 1/2 bath. Loft area is master suite 16 X 20, walk in closet 6 X 16, 4 pc Bath is 6 X 20.

 

[ustmd]

Looks great. If I had to build again, I would definitely look at poured concrete or ISP.

I am curious to see the next steps

 

[rogerius]

KennyG, no it is not common to go all the way , most stop at the basement level. I just thought that it made sense to build something that will be here long after I'm gone.

Eddie, the first floor and basement are 900sqft each, and the loft area is 600sqft. Not to big, but enough to be comfortable. Hydronic heat on all floors, nat gas boiler and two nat gas fireplaces. Walls work out to R60, Attic is R56.
Two spare bdrms , mech rm, theatre area, 3/4 bath and craft rm in the basement, 10 X 12 cold room off mech rm, main floor is kitchen, dining, living rm, pantry and entry off kitchen, 1/2 bath. Loft area is master suite 16 X 20, walk in closet 6 X 16, 4 pc Bath is 6 X 20.

Great job docone. Really impressive. Just wondering why you choose 8" core ICF all the way up? Are you supplementing insulation for walls to get R60? If is just standard 2.5" foam and 8" concrete, the wall will have max R22-25. Also, did you have the pex pipes in the slab for basement or what is your plan? How you will do it for upper levels?

 

[docone]

Thanks, As I understand it,ICF foam has an insulation value of R 7 per inch, which gives me R35 for 5 inches. The concrete value in this configuration should add R20 to the wall, and the stucco finish on the exterior will boost it a bit as well.
Yes, there is pex in the basement slab, and copper heat runs in each joist space on the upper levels, basically a 1500sqft radiator. The gas fireplaces will supply make up heat as required.

 

[ovrszd]

That's awesome. I've never saw foam with that high R value.

 

[KennyG]

That's awesome. I've never saw foam with that high R value.

I think the ICF values are "equivalent R-Value", compared to conventional stud and blanket insulation. Because the forms have no discontinuities (studs) they have a higher equivalent value than the foam itself. The conventional 2x6 stud wall would perhaps have blanket insulation with R-19. However, the studs significantly reduce the insulation value. Foam with actual R per inch of 5 might only need 3 inches or less of foam to be equivalent to R-19. Since Polyiso is only about R-6 per inch, I would guess the ICF is a little less.

 

[ovrszd]

I think the ICF values are "equivalent R-Value", compared to conventional stud and blanket insulation. Because the forms have no discontinuities (studs) they have a higher equivalent value than the foam itself. The conventional 2x6 stud wall would perhaps have blanket insulation with R-19. However, the studs significantly reduce the insulation value. Foam with actual R per inch of 5 might only need 3 inches or less of foam to be equivalent to R-19. Since Polyiso is only about R-6 per inch, I would guess the ICF is a little less.

Yeah, I thought of that later. I Googled it. After a lengthy read about the things you mentioned it stated a 9" wall with 5" ICF would have an R value of 20.