Integrated Concrete Forms (ICF) homes seems to be gaining momentum as an alternative to traditional stick building judging by the discussion on the owner-builder group. This method of building uses hollow foam blocks as forms that are filled with concrete and then left in place. The foam and concrete together can make for a very well insulated, quiet and strong home. There are many sources of information on this type of building such as The Portland Cement Association, books, manufacturers such as Eco-block, Polysteel, Reward, Arxx
and others. It will be interesting to see how widespread these homes will become.
Month: March 2005
A Paint Story
Paint, that luscious, liquid velvety substance that can transform something old and dead into something sparkling and graceful. Here’s a short story about an amateur painters’ transformation to competency.
12V DC Power Group
Editor of Energy Self Sufficiency Newsletter, Larry Barr, wrote in with: Since you like the Little Houses group, you may also be interested in the 12 VDC Power group which is dedicated to generating your own power and using it, and in Energy Self Sufficiency Newsletter, a monthly online FREE publication for those living off-grid and those who want to.’ Thanks Larry!
Update: There’s also the Green-trust for renewable energy sources.
Flooring Stress Tests
Here is an excellent recipe for stress testing stone and possibly ceramic or other flooring before you buy a lot of it courtesy of the owner-builder discussion group. I’d buy a piece of the proposed flooring, and subject it to various tests,
including:
Little Houses Group on Yahoo
Here’s an interesting group that discusses: ‘building and dwelling in living spaces that are
smaller than the typical homes being built today
Whether you are building your home yourself or
buying, designing from scratch or remodeling,
downsizing, or planning a starter house for
future expansions, this is the best place
to share your housing related thoughts.
Book: Gutted : Down to the Studs in My House, My Marriage, My Entire Life
Here is a book recommended by Fine Homebuilding entitled: Gutted : Down to the Studs in My House, My Marriage, My Entire Life. Amazon says: ‘LaRose…and his wife, Susan, have just bought a “small toenail-yellow Cape Cod” on Long Island. The “hapless victim” of decades of “punishing” remodeling, this ruin of a house needs full-blown CPR, not TLC. As the couple navigates the Kafka-esque local planning commission’s permit process, they begin demolition�tearing off siding, pulling out asbestos and taking out walls.
Continue reading “Book: Gutted : Down to the Studs in My House, My Marriage, My Entire Life”
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