Newbie Design Questions
Last Post 24 Apr 2014 06:37 AM by jkyoachim. 8 Replies.
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jkyoachimUser is Offline
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20 Dec 2013 11:41 PM
I was originally thinking of a 30x80 ICF berm home that has a 9' wall on the north side and an 18' wood framed wall facing south (aka shed roof). Like an old chicken coop. With two awnings/overhangs to shade in the summer and lots of windows. See attached for a rough, hand sketch. As I've really dug into the details, I have way more questions then answers: 1. Is my original south facing shed roof design more effective/efficient/economical then a standard gable roof? My design would require steel beams to accommodate the vaulted ceiling design to allow for max light and ventilation. I'm now questioning the cost of 32'+ steel beams vs trusses and the ability to insulate a standard attic vs vaulted ceiling. 2. Will I be able to reduce initial construction costs by opting for a heavily-insulated stick built home on a FPSF (and a pre-fab storm shelter since we're in tornado country) instead of an ICF berm home? 3. What about a metal building, straw bale and FPSF combo? Sounds like there's some major potential for savings since I can get straw bales for next to nothing and I can get a discount on a metal building. But that's about as far as I've gotten on this latest idea. I'm also worried about lender and/or zoning approval issues since I live in Podunk. My current potential build site is a flat piece of hilltop farm ground (silty loam soil). I'm right around 40 degrees north latitude in Southern Nebraska. Thanks All!

Attachment: House.PNG

jkyoachimUser is Offline
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27 Dec 2013 01:19 AM
What a great forum...


ICFHybridUser is Offline
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27 Dec 2013 09:15 AM
What was the question, again?


jkyoachimUser is Offline
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27 Dec 2013 09:21 AM
1. Is my original south facing shed roof design more effective/efficient/economical then a standard gable roof? 2. What's the consensus on FPSF?


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27 Dec 2013 10:55 AM
There is no attachment that I can see.
Is the shed roof designed to be open fronted? Is that why you mention steel beams? If you are trying to get the light in deeper you may be able to compromise by using double or heavier trusses four feet on center and windows in between. This would require a lot more drywall unless you like exposed trusses.

Straw bales are a different cat all together. Most need to be recompressed to higher density before you can use them, they are high in manual labour and have questionable resale value. (They can certainly be done and done correct!)

Double walls are still reliant on multiple sealing devises on a product that continues to move so how well will all those seals be in ten years? There are people on this site that speak highly of them.

FPSF - one for 100 against.

Go ICF with an ICF roof covered with grass and you are done. Sod home time 10. (Both in quantity and cost ;-)


jkyoachimUser is Offline
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27 Dec 2013 12:04 PM
Thank You for the reply! Yes it would be open fronted with two awnings for shade in the summer. I'll try attaching again. Wasn't sure how to quantify the passive solar benefit associated with that design as opposed to a run-of-the-mill gable roof.

Yeah, I've never been sold on strawbale. I keep trying to make it work but it just doesn't seem to be the right way to go.

I'm definitely curious what an ICF/earth covered roof would cost compared to my shed style or a trussed, gable roof. I'm waiting to hear back from a local ICF contractor.

Attachment: House.PNG

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22 Apr 2014 04:37 PM
FPSF Two for, 100 wrong!


MA<br>www.badgerboilerservice.com
McFishUser is Offline
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23 Apr 2014 08:01 PM
The whole berming/PAHS design question is much discussed on this forum here; http://fugadeideas.org/paccs/forum/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=dfa4b40f8ee6b7cbd65130b121c13112 See especially the house built by Tom. The permies site here; http://www.permies.com/t/26378/wofati-earth-berm/ has much additional discussion. Berming/sod house has value when the outside temps have huge differentials so that the cost of berming or going underground is offset by a lower delta T. Water-proofing issues are also a big concern. You may be interested that Tom found his roof of I beam steel was cheaper than wood truss gable design.


jkyoachimUser is Offline
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24 Apr 2014 06:37 AM
Thank You So Much!


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