New Home Construction

[guest]

any suggestions?

stage wise the lot is excavated and footings just framed in. split level home near 3000sqft, on septic, heat pump, no gas access....

looking for any suggestions from knowledgeable members. advice on insulation, etc? batt or spray? thinking of adding an HRV.

the flooring will be hardwood(was thinking of bamboo but everyone is saying bad idea), carpet and heated tile.

thanks in advance.

[waderow]

if i was building right now i would be investing in geothermal. also would be using foam forms for foundation, and using the geothermal to heat the slab. the geothermal will also act as an airconditioner in the summer.

if you go foam block, you will not require frost wall in basement. If I had the money, I would also go foam block upstairs too, and have a solid, quiet, energy efficient home. the only down side is longer jamb extensions on windows and cost.

[guest]

if i was building right now i would be investing in geothermal. also would be using foam forms for foundation, and using the geothermal to heat the slab. the geothermal will also act as an airconditioner in the summer.

if you go foam block, you will not require frost wall in basement. If I had the money, I would also go foam block upstairs too, and have a solid, quiet, energy efficient home. the only down side is longer jamb extensions on windows and cost.

i'm on the west coast so frost isnt a problem and an air heat pump will work well, not as good as a geothermal granted but i am guessing a lot cheaper.

the foam blocks are great i agree and wish i could have gone with them but i'm stuck going traditional on this one.

thx:)

[Houstonbc]

dont bother with the HRV in big commercial building theyre great but in houses theyre just a "high efficient cash grab"

[WRJ]

yeah just doing a few vertical loops for geothermal requires drilling, and the right depth can be a ways down there, and cost big buxxxx. You could easily spend $8-10000+ just for the drilling/wells.

[WRJ]

but geo is crazy efficient, summer or winter.

[BritishColumbian]

Why is bamboo flooring a bad Idea? I worked at a hardware store and I always thought it was the nicest , most durable flooring on the market. It was also the most expensive.
Just picking up a piece feels like money.
I recently helped a friend build his house and I am a drywaller of 10 years, we used ALL 5/8 gyproc for extra durability.

[jmonkey]

i have also just begun construction.....i have reached the trusses...hopefully have that done in 2-3 days.......how much u pay for framing????.....i am building a 3 level 3800 sq.ft home.

For heating the heat pump is probably the most cost effective bet right now....geothermal is better however $$$$$$.

[guest]

thanks fellas. i am trying to beef things up everywhere i can with materials being so low in price right now. no OSB, all plywood and thicker t&g flooring.

BC, i like the bamboo too. i know a few installers that have a lot of experience and they are all saying bamboo is a bad idea. i dunno. a friend of mine has it in his house and it looks like it has held up pretty decent. i am looking for something durable because it is going to be in a high traffic area and i have a dog(but he is on his last legs). i found some maple in an attractive stain today that i think i can get for about $3ft.

i dont want to do laminate because i think it looks cheezy&cheap. my front doors are hand carved and worth about 20k(i didnt pay that much) so i need to keep things flowing.

anyone have experience with counter tops? granite, quartz, concrete? i decided to go maple cupboards in a shaker style.

what about sky lights? or lighting in general?



i have also just begun construction.....i have reached the trusses...hopefully have that done in 2-3 days.......how much u pay for framing????.....i am building a 3 level 3800 sq.ft home.

For heating the heat pump is probably the most cost effective bet right now....geothermal is better however $$$$$$.

no doubt, wish i had the bucks upfront for geo and solar.

i am 3 levels too but it is split. my guess so far is 20k or less for framing. trusses came in just under 7. get this, i am getting my roof done for $10hr(gotta love the favors being called in). i am grinding everyone, i have about 3 diff quotes for most everything. my first flooring quote came in at 25k and now i have it down to about 15k, lol. i have shaved the drywallers down about 4k too. i am acting as the contractor on this. i dont know shit, but i have 3 close buddies that are contractors and they are helping me out and recommending the right people.

[BritishColumbian]

I think the istaller would tell you bamboo is a bad idea because its alot more work for them and its hard on blades, Its narower than most hardwood I think, But its thicker!
Ya laminate sucks! Sky lights for sure! they are sure nice in a bathroom! just dont cheap out and you will be fine.
Hay Monkey , Im not sure on the price of framing? A really good idea that I have learned over the years, before you cover up any wood on the interior make sure it is as dry as you can get it! or you will have cracked cielings and walls, screw pops, etc. DRY it out.

[cog]

In floor heating on the lowest level.Add insulation to the exterior foundation walls.Top notch windows make a huge difference.Watch those siders for their paper work.

[Bowlcut]

My buddy's dad has geo and regrets it. He says that the amount of money he saves from geo is offset from the hydro on running the pumps. Granted the place is massive though.

[waderow]

I know a few people who have geo and project it to pay for itself in 10, as well as the free air conditioning (albeit you run the pumps year round)

[guest]

thanks Flexy. i know you were thinking of moving....what price do you want for your double wide...or are you taking it with you?

[Gettin'r'round]

Aren't their like crazy gov't grants out their for geothermal and other energy efficiency items? I know in Ontario geothermal get's you $$$ back. Won't cover the whole shabang but hey.

[jmonkey]

thats crazy.. flooring from 25K to 15K thats quite a margin.....my framers are charging me 13000 for framing....this is down like 10K from last year....thats a bargain for roofing,10/hr *4 guys* 20 hrs(approx)....thats CHEAP!!! im paying 7k for roofing including material(12/12 pitch).........you have anyone for windows?

[turboturist]

How far along are you? If you have not started framing I would think about doing the arcx (spelling) blocks. Its a little more money up front but you get the insulation with a much higher R value, vapor barrier and framing all done in one shot and th e house is now made of cement.

Now sure of your location but if noise could be a concern you can not beat styrofoam sealed concrete for sound.

I have built a few of them with a buddy who is a full time contractor and its easy shit to work with as well. If I remember right the 10in wall is R50.

They have special blocks where your normal floor joists would sit that fit a steel beam to go across for the joists to sit on so you dont have any posts at all in the bottom floor either, opens everything right up. And if you want a 10 foot ceiling add an extra row of blocks, etc etc. If you have not started it something to look into.

I know if we ever build a house it is 100% what we will be going with for the frame no questions asked.

[Mr Ontario]

Is the house brick? if so....some good reading material from this guy.
http://www.askthebuilder.com/499_Efflorescence_on_Masonry.shtml


I went with LED pot lighting....less heat/last longer/and more energy efficient.

[guest]

thats crazy.. flooring from 25K to 15K thats quite a margin.....my framers are charging me 13000 for framing....this is down like 10K from last year....thats a bargain for roofing,10/hr *4 guys* 20 hrs(approx)....thats CHEAP!!! im paying 7k for roofing including material(12/12 pitch).........you have anyone for windows?

ya, the first place i went to was trying to rape me on materials and labor. a lot of the trades around here are still trying to hang on to the 'you'll get what we give you and like it' attitude. there are enough people looking for work that with a little digging im able to find people anxious for a paycheck and i think it's only going to get better, for myself that is.

TT, sound isnt an issue i've got a few acres. some of the ceiling will be 12'. the styro forms are deluxe no doubt but for this product i am stuck going traditional on that part.

Mro, it's going to have hardy plank exterior with some stone work.

[macka]

A friend of mine just did a custom colour countertop install. He says the nice thing about concrete is that it can be custom coloured, whereas the granite, quartz and marble tops are limited. The concrete is slightly cheaper(cost wise depending on thickness), easily repaired, and custom colour is always an option.

[guest]

A friend of mine just did a custom colour countertop install. He says the nice thing about concrete is that it can be custom coloured, whereas the granite, quartz and marble tops are limited. The concrete is slightly cheaper(cost wise depending on thickness), easily repaired, and custom colour is always an option.

were they made in place? or prefabbed?

[macka]

prefab sections, and they are placed then cemented together.

kreativeconcretedesign (http://www.kreativeconcretedesign.com/) and this is where he ordered from http://www.concretecountertopscanada.com/