Forums » Off-topic discussion » Best construction topics? « 1 2 »
  • SVreX

    Dec. 29, 2010 1:49 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

    I know every once in a while construction questions come up here.

    I'm going to add some how to/ informational subject content to my website.

    What are some of the best topics? I know we've talked a lot about container houses and alternative energy and construction techniques.

    Any others come to mind?

    Of course, I'm probably asking all they wrong people...I'm sure you guys sick of hearing me blab!

  • T.J.

    Dec. 29, 2010 1:56 p.m. T.J. SuperDork

    Here's a few suggestions:

    Shop/detached garage planning/construction.
    Pole barn construction.
    Garage loft building.
    A link to your website.

    {Place witty saying here}

  • oldtin

    Dec. 29, 2010 2:10 p.m. oldtin Dork

    Site selection, working with terrain and local climates. Barns and sheds...

  • SVreX

    Dec. 29, 2010 2:15 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

    I promise to put the link up soon. Site's being completely reconstructed. I'm trying a new approach, that most construction companies don't consider.

  • Ignorant

    Dec. 29, 2010 2:20 p.m. Ignorant SuperDork

    Trim... Tips for crown and trim.

    clubber lang is my friend

  • SVreX

    Dec. 29, 2010 2:21 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

    I'll throw you guys a bone...

    I'll put a section in just for you guys- a section focusing on construction DIY projects for car buffs.

  • SVreX

    Dec. 29, 2010 2:24 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

    Ooo- Iggy, you're gonna like what I've got to say about trim! Very few pros even know the best way to cut crown- I generally complete an entire house in less time than a lot of carpenters do one room.

    Hmmm, guess I might have to give away a few trade secrets!

  • JFX001

    Dec. 29, 2010 2:39 p.m. JFX001 SuperDork

    Post & Beam with SIP's (personal interest for barn conversion)

    Geo-Thermal and you

    DIY spray foam insulation

    Wainscotting

    Easy like Sunday Morning.

  • SVreX

    Dec. 29, 2010 2:41 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

    Post & Beam with SIPs- you mean RENOVATING with them, not new construction, right?

    Wainscoting- panel, stile and rail, or general?

  • JFX001

    Dec. 29, 2010 2:47 p.m. JFX001 SuperDork

    New construction....I've read both the pro's and con's of ICF/SIP...just want a best case scenerio for a barn conversion.

    Panel wainscotting with a chair rail.

    *EDIT....more like a barn conversion into a Saltbox.

    Easy like Sunday Morning.

  • slantvaliant

    Dec. 29, 2010 2:52 p.m. slantvaliant Dork

    How about "Design and Construction for Maintainability"

  • 914Driver

    Dec. 29, 2010 2:58 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    Basic wiring do's and don'ts.

    One page tutorial on how to get through the building permit process.

    Air Compressors 101, 110 vs 220, capacity and hard plumb or flex?

    Doors? Windows or not?

    Fire safety?

    BMW -- You don't need a hibachi to cook rice.

  • BAMF

    Dec. 29, 2010 5:25 p.m. BAMF Reader

    914Driver wrote: Air Compressors 101, 110 vs 220, capacity and hard plumb or flex?

    At the design and custom fabrication studio where I work, we have a screw type compressor with two reservoirs. Everything is hard plumbed to a handful of drops we have in our 3,000 sqft. Hard plumb is pretty nice.

    For me, I'd love to know about retrofitting a horizontal loop ground source heat pump system to a 1930s era house for radiant heating and cooling.

    - Bryce

  • Zomby woof

    Dec. 29, 2010 6:22 p.m. Zomby woof Dork

    My old farmhouse needs a few new exterior doors.

    I have no idea where to start.

    I did windows during my recent kitchen renovation, and learned the hard way, why not to buy windows from Lowes depot. I had no idea that you can order any size at no extra cost.

  • phaze1todd

    Dec. 29, 2010 6:52 p.m. phaze1todd Reader

    Basement waterproofing

    and building a Locust

    You are certainly the most distinguished group of highway scofflaws and degenerates ever gathered together in one place

  • SVreX

    Dec. 29, 2010 8:38 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

    Maybe SPELLING a Locost??

  • EvanB

    Dec. 29, 2010 9:34 p.m. EvanB Dork

    Buiding your own house? My grandpa designed and built a house after studying architecture books while in the army and I would like to do the same someday.

    Formerly jdmae92

  • nutherjrfan

    Dec. 29, 2010 9:40 p.m. nutherjrfan HalfDork

    http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

    depending how hard I work this year, total complete slacker here, amongst other things, I will see if I can tackle something like this - finding an inexpensive plot of land with public utilities would help. I'm sure the e36 LSx conversion kit versus do it yoursen' argument could be applied to this guy's ideas, however I'm a big ol' dummy and need instructions.

    Confucius say It does not matter how slow you go, so long as you do not stop. Confucius was wrong.

  • SVreX

    Dec. 29, 2010 9:45 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

    I'm developing a product line of smaller homes like Jay Shafer does, only better, and cheaper. Jay is an internet guru who practices what he preaches, but he primarily sells ideas, not houses.

    And yes, I own his book (so I do applaud what he stands for).

    What are you wanting to know about Tumbleweed?

  • SVreX

    Dec. 29, 2010 9:46 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

    EvanB wrote: Buiding your own house? My grandpa designed and built a house after studying architecture books while in the army and I would like to do the same someday.

    Are you expecting a couple of pages on a website to cover it? There are thousands of books already written on the subject.

    Can you be a little more specific?

  • nutherjrfan

    Dec. 29, 2010 9:50 p.m. nutherjrfan HalfDork

    well hoping I can hit the ground running in Jan. and get a decent job and justify the several hundred dollars for his workshop this summer I'm open to inspiration/direction.In reply to SVreX:

    Confucius say It does not matter how slow you go, so long as you do not stop. Confucius was wrong.

  • EvanB

    Dec. 29, 2010 10:45 p.m. EvanB Dork

    SVreX wrote:
    EvanB wrote: Buiding your own house? My grandpa designed and built a house after studying architecture books while in the army and I would like to do the same someday.

    Are you expecting a couple of pages on a website to cover it? There are thousands of books already written on the subject.

    Can you be a little more specific?

    I wasn't really being serious about it being covered here, I know there is way too much to write on a forum.

    It would probably be a whole other topic but I would be interested in hearing if anyone here has done something of the sort.

    Being a previous architecture major designing a home appeals to me and I already have a few books on the subject.

    Formerly jdmae92

  • GhiaMonster

    Dec. 30, 2010 8:37 a.m. GhiaMonster New Reader

    I second the section on building permits / legal issues. I know this will have to be a generalization as the process changes widely from one area to another.

  • SVreX

    Dec. 30, 2010 1:51 p.m. SVreX SuperDork

    OK, so here's the list I'm currently working with:

    Shops, garages, barns, and sheds- How to cope when you're stuffed with stuff

    Where the rubber meets the road- Construction projects for car buffs (workbenches, tire rack, installing a compressor, etc)

    Rise up!- Garage loft building

    The crown jewel- Trim tips for getting the most out of modern tools

    Snug as a Bug- Sorting through the quagmire of insulation options

    Just stay fixed!- Ideas for lowering maintenance woes

    Permission to Build Freely- Tips for handling building permit processes

    Come in and Enjoy the View: A shopper's guide to windows and doors

    Fire safety

    I'll save these for later:

    Fun-in-a-box: A primer to designing and building shipping container buildings

    Alternative construction techniques pros/cons (include ICF construction)

    Site selection, working with terrain and local climates(maybe)

    Renovating with SIPs

    Basement waterproofing

    These are probably a little too detailed or broad for this site:

    Pole barn construction Geo-thermal/ Horizontal loop ground source heat pump Building a house

    Anybody else?

  • 914Driver

    Dec. 30, 2010 2:05 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

    Detached? Check.

    Heat? Check.

    Insulated? Check.

    Lighting? Check.

    220? Check.

    Doors front and rear for ventilation-safety-emergency exit? Check.

    12 X 42 X 8 high storage above? Check.

    SWMBO's potting shed out behind? You Checkya!

    Block & Tackle to lift engines or bodies? Check.

    It's 24 X 42 because the City Fathers won't let me cover more than 25% of my property with building.

    BMW -- You don't need a hibachi to cook rice.

« 1 2 »  

You'll need to log in to post.

CMS Ad Dept
Lime Rock Park
Moroso

Birthdays

Yes or No

What’s your favorite British sports car?

Triumph

45%

MG

13%

Austin Healey

19%

Aston Martin

3%

Jensen / Jensen Healey

3%

TVR

13%

Morgan

3%

Check back soon for the next poll. View all polls