New house - open to suggestions
Last Post 28 Oct 2015 08:32 AM by Stuie. 170 Replies.
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jdebreeUser is Offline
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20 Feb 2015 06:29 AM
We also got a break on our insurance in FL by installing a heavily reinforced garage door. It had massive beams going across, double hinges. and a beefed up track. They also sell a kit to brace the door temporarily, but you wouldn't have time to put it in place before a tornado, unless you set it up every time conditions were likely for tornadoes. What they found in hurricanes is that the garage door would fail, and then the rest of the roof would quickly fail. We have a cheap flimsy door on our new house in SC, but the garage has a separate roof, so if we got hit, it wouldn't affect the main house. I still think the only safe place in a tornado is under ground. Build a reasonably strong house, and have a place to go under ground if The Big One hits.
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20 Feb 2015 08:20 AM
Posted By jdebree on 20 Feb 2015 06:29 AM
...I still think the only safe place in a tornado is under ground. Build a reasonably strong house, and have a place to go under ground if The Big One hits...

Yep, that's how they do it in tornado country.
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20 Feb 2015 08:48 AM
I still think the only safe place in a tornado is under ground. Build a reasonably strong house, and have a place to go under ground if The Big One hits.


Why not combine both :-)
http://www.businessinsider.com/10-design-architectures-tornado-proof-home-2013-8?IR=T
Connersville IN - Lat 39.64 N - Zone 5A (near zone 4)
zehbossUser is Offline
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26 Feb 2015 07:53 PM
lowest cost heating system is a good envelop
properly sealed home with an ACH 50 approaching 1, A good heat recovery ventilation system, A continuous thermal break, proper window orientation and shading and U value, High internal thermal mass to allow for solar gain, Solar thermal with mass storage, higher insulation values. Radiant roof surface, As many radiant surfaces as possible inside the home, earth tube cooling.

Properly designed and executed the envelop can be net zero energy for heating and cooling at a small cost eliminating most of the HVAC needs completely.

Invest in the envelope not expensive, maintenance needing, heating and cooling systems.
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BadgerBoilerMNUser is Offline
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26 Feb 2015 08:10 PM
That should work...in Oregon.
MA<br>www.badgerboilerservice.com
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27 Feb 2015 08:08 AM
Yes, despite what some HVAC hawkers may advocate, it is always best to invest in the building envelop first.
Borst Engineering & Construction LLC - Competence, Integrity and Professionalism are integral to all that we do!
zehbossUser is Offline
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27 Feb 2015 01:05 PM
Better envelope works every where. Alaska. North Dakota, New York, Alabama, Canada, Florida,Utah, Norway,Germany, California, DC, even in Maine. The worst the weather the bigger the payback is. You do need a designer that cares enough to get it right. There are homes in the artic circle that are ZEH homes. The question is are you investing in comfort and the five plus year picture or just flipping. ZEH homes are better from all comfort standpoints. Noise insulation, Drafts, Sound creation, Security, Safety, Utility bills, isolation from the worlds economic issues, cost of maintenance, security in storms etc.
ICF Solutions
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05 Apr 2015 09:40 AM
Sorry. Tornado talk makes my head spin. It says here that the chances of a tornado leveling your house over a 30-year period is five in a million. http://www.flame.org/~cdoswell/tor_probs/vtornado_prob.html
Indiana's reputation owes to two storm clusters: 41 years ago in 1974 and 50 years ago in 1965. Build a shelter if it makes you feel safer. Let your insurance company worry about the rest of the house, and your premiums tell you that insurers aren't overly concerned. (Granted Okla rates have doubled since the Moore storms, to an average $1400/yr but there's no discounts for concrete walls.)
And some advice on HVAC from a guy who has a minisplit, radiant floors, passive and active solar, and an indoor wood stove boiler with storage. Do not overthink this. If I were starting over, I'd stick to the minisplit and a small radiant stove. KISS.

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12 Apr 2015 10:21 AM
Posted By toddm on 05 Apr 2015 09:40 AM
...Let your insurance company worry about the rest of the house...
Really?
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28 Oct 2015 12:19 AM
Hello, As a part of our home renovation, we decided to replace all the old doors and windows. But I am confused whether to choose a wood window or vinyl window. I have got different opinions on both of them. I need the best energy efficient frame for my windows. I contacted with Heritage energy efficient windows service in Toronto and they said me that they are ready to install either according to my choice. Can anyone suggest me whether wood or vinyl? Thanks in advance.
StuieUser is Offline
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28 Oct 2015 08:32 AM
quinzswein, Since you are in Toronto, I 'd suggest you look at Strassburger Windows http://www.strassburger.net/ I installed them in my cottage 2yrs ago, no issues, they are triple glazed, and I think excellent value for the money. I paid $17,000 for all windows and doors, here's a link to my build so you can see the windows and doors I used. http://kasshabog.blogspot.ca/
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