Container Home Construction Rancho Nuevo BCS

Electrical, Hot water, Fire Sprinklers

This weeks additions GF Bathroom and Laundry are plumbed, GF electrical panel going in and sprinklers in the under house garage up and running.



[Edited on 11-11-2022 by RFClark]



[Edited on 11-11-2022 by RFClark]

Christmas is just around the corner!

The front Door. After bondo and paint, the open spots are glass.


Interior progress, insulation and durock.


Addition of the 2nd inverter and 4 more batteries.

Front Door Ready for Glass

We primed and bondoed the front door, sanded it and shot it with catalyzed automotive paint. It’s ready for glass and installation.

The double upstairs door is under construction. They will have the same look.

Doors and Walls

Site built 2nd floor double doors installed



The exterior walls are getting their foil and closed cell foam and durock panels in preparation for the final coat of white cement and painting.

2nd Floor walls removed and more

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark

S, Mold is a problem in humid climates. Containers have fewer air leaks than conventional construction. This can be an advantage (AC and heating) or a disadvantage (poor air quality). Air exchange (controlled) is important. Insulation and vapor barriers are also important. Using sealed cement board walls as well as cement and lath ceilings controls mold growth, but a lot of container homes are uninsulated with painted metal walls. (bad) Another source of the moldy smell in Mexico can be caused by a lack of sink and shower drain traps and/or vents. (also bad) Good window screens and good ventilation are important too. There are lots of thing to consider.

This week’s progress

This week we removed the rest of the interior walls, installed 3/4 of the celling grid and added roof support posts. Next week we’ll start laying out the 2nd Fl electrical.

We also installed and interfaced the 2nd 240 split phase inverter giving us 12KW of 20AC. The lights don't flicker when we’re welding anymore!

Progress before La Navidad.

We are moving along. Downstairs door is in place. Glass due Saturday along with windows.

The shower pan is in and the first row of glass blocks are set.

The downstairs ceiling is prepped and ready to paint.

The ceiling grid upstairs is complete pictures tomorrow.

After 6 weeks of work.

After this 6 weeks of work we have windows!

All the downstairs doors and windows are in. The floor will be poured while we’re gone.



The frame for the first of 2 large picture windows is installed.

The ceiling grid is installed and the roof is being installed while we’re gone.

More pictures after Christmas.

End of Year Progress

We started building in our house in July. We have made good progress because we worked through the summer. All the utilities are in and working. We have been using the solar almost exclusively for welding and construction. Today we finished the grid for the ceiling of the 2nd floor and installed the frame for the 2nd front window.

The counters in the kitchen should be done in about 2 weeks as well as the downstairs bathroom. (1st of 3).

All of you have a Happy New Year!

More pictures soon!

2023 Pictures - New Windows

The doors come off next week.

Kitchen and Window Progress

The first container door coming off this afternoon. The rest will come off tomorrow.


All 4 of the east side windows were installed today.



The kitchen counter and sinks are poured. The stove top is getting its final adjustments.



The double sinks are almost ready.



Upstairs the windows are in and insulation is being installed prior to the electrical going in.



Saturday update, remove doors and install window plug 5 hrs!


[Edited on 1-15-2023 by RFClark]

This weeks pictures

The large front windows on the 2nd floor are installed using laminated safety glass.




Wall framing and door frame for South BR


Wall framing and door frame for North BR

Looking good, hope you have an open house or two!

This Weeks Pictures

First length of Teak rail cap made onsite.



Close up of the rail cap


This is what we built to cut the rail cap from the Teak planks


2 views of the finished center floor upstairs


Weather cap across the container doors and garage doors. Still needs final paint and roofing.

Lots of progress this week but this picture explains the “why” in why we do this!

More pictures tomorrow!

This Week’s Progress.

The doors are off!

The shower is progressing

The fans and AC are installed.

The dishwasher is being installed.

The oven is being installed

The bathtub is in place and being installed.

More Progress This Week

We’re covering the outside. We’re finishing the kitchen and Bathroom.

Latest Pictures - We went North for 2 weeks

The project progressed while we were gone!

Kitchen painting, plumbing and counter sealing complete.




West wall finished pending painting.





North Wall finished pending painting and concrete stair steps poured.





South Wall is almost ready for concrete. Not much container exposed now. Soon no container exposed!





Pantry Floor done today. Just a few weeks ago this was bare container. Now the roof and walls are insulated and concrete painted white. The floor will be sealed concrete. This is how the upstairs container part of the house will be finished as well.





Last 2 Solar Panel Racks ready to install.

Solar System 18 - 540W panels 2 - 6KW 240 VAC inverters and 3 - 4 100A 48V Li Ion batteries

Finished container door end

The right container door has all the durock installed. You can compare it to the left side. Next step cement covering.



Air compressor & plasma cutter both on solar. This is why you need 240VAC/48VDC inverters and lots of solar panels.







Compressors and plasma cutters are difficult loads for small generators or 120VAC solar systems.


For 1/4” steel plate plasma is about 4 times faster cutting than abrasive wheel cutters. Plasma cutter $250 US.

The outside Durock is all installed

The Durock (Cement Board) was installed on the East side today.

This picture shows container wall, insulation and Durock.





This picture shows the completed south end with white cement and the East side completely covered. The 1st scratch coat of cement will be done tomorrow and finished in white cement next week.





The work inside (electrical) continues.

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark

The 18 solar panels allow us to run the AC and charge our car at the same time while still charging the batteries. We anticipate between 7-8KW midday between mid-March and October. The panels are flat mounted to take advantage of our location’s overcast summer weather and the fact that the sun actually travels north of here in summer.

Interior walls (Finally!)

We are finally doing the upstairs interior. These shots are from the living room. There is a bedroom and bathroom on each side of the living room. The roof and perimeter of the 2nd floor are insulated and each of the Bedroom and bathroom areas are also insulated to allow operation of zone climate control as each area has its own mini split heat pump.



[Edited on 4-2-2023 by RFClark]

Cooking a Holiday Dinner in our new kitchen

Home made chili rellenos for dinner from our new kitchen.Today is Sandy’s birthday too. I wish you all a happy whatever you celebrate and will have more construction pictures next week.


We’re building exterior furniture as well as doors. The wood is domestic 1” Teak planks. It has a more interesting grain than the African Teak we’re using for hand rails.



[Edited on 4-10-2023 by RFClark]

Visitors at our doorstep

We had visitors today. Our concrete guy said tacos and burritos de burro are all the rage in La Paz on the weekends.



Moving on the scratch coat is mostly on and the master bath will be done in a couple of days. Pictures soon!

Currently we’re getting over 2KW of solar at 7:30 AM from our 12 - 540 W panels.




[Edited on 4-19-2023 by RFClark]

Looking for Feedback

Hi,

This type of shutter is widely used in Europe. Does anyone have any experience with them.

The concept:

In the up position the 2 halves are latched together to make a single unit. Both halves are covered with galvanized metal sheeting the same as we used on the ends of the house. They will be painted white on the exterior side to match the house. Yes there will be a 3rd hinge in the center of the production units.

The frames and undersides will be painted black to match the steel window frame.

We plan to use 20” gas shocks (think hatchbacks) to hold them open. There will be pin latches on each side in the middle and bottom to hold them closed.

1/4” neoprene strips will be between the shutter and the window frame to prevent rattle when closed.

I’m interested in any of your thoughts.

Thanks

Shutter test stand

So here is the shutter/shade concept for the big front windows and the smaller 2nd floor windows.

Shutter closed view from outside. 45”X 72” 80KG The smaller shutter is only 40 KG.

We plan to install 2 28” 200lb gas shocks on each of the big shutters and smaller ones on the smaller shutters.





Shutter half open





Shutter as a shade





Ground level patio finished





While it’s unclear if the panels in this awning are glass or not. Our adjustable shades will look something like this after paint and trim.



[Edited on 5-2-2023 by RFClark]

[Edited on 5-2-2023 by RFClark]

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark

So here is the shutter/shade concept for the big front windows and the smaller 2nd floor windows. Shutter closed view from outside. 45”X 72” 80KG The smaller shutter is only 40 KG. We plan to install 2 28” 200lb gas shocks on each of the big shutters and smaller ones on the smaller shutters. Shutter half open Shutter as a shade Ground level patio finished

Your shutters look sort of steam punk.

Check out bahama shutters, in aluminum:






[Edited on 5-2-2023 by mtgoat666]

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark

So here is the shutter/shade concept for the big front windows and the smaller 2nd floor windows. Shutter closed view from outside. 45”X 72” 80KG The smaller shutter is only 40 KG. We plan to install 2 28” 200lb gas shocks on each of the big shutters and smaller ones on the smaller shutters. Hi RFClark: Your system certainly looks very robust to me. We are looking for hurricane protection from penetration to the home, without the obvious shielding. We would be willing to sacrifice a window now and then to obtain stealth protection for long periods while we are away. As you seem to have investigated several options, did you come across anything not as visible when gone and does not need any setup before storms? The triple laminate "Sentry Glas " option was not avaailable in the midst of Covid, so we ended up with double pane tempered glass instead. Shutter half open Shutter as a shade Ground level patio finished

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark

JD, That’s my experience! With the air shocks they should adjust from “0” To “-45” degrees. That should block up to 50% of the heat from the sun. The reflective coating on the windows will block over half of what gets through. Less load for the AC!

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark

JD, We’ve collected the water from our ACs for years. An 18K btu AC will output over 5 gal in 8-9 hrs. Past that if your roof is well insulated it will generate a lot of water at night if it’s clear. I’ve never bothered to collect it but it seems like a lot depending on the size of your roof. We had 1400 sq ft and i imagine 5-10 gal of water a night. I also tested a dehumidifier 800W and in the summer it collected 4-5 gal in 8 hs. No reason you can't chlorinate the water and drink it. [Edited on 5-3-2023 by RFClark]

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck

...could really use something to reduce those trips to refill the water bottles. [Edited on 5-3-2023 by JDCanuck]

This week it’s finishing the walls and build furniture

The cement guys are finishing up the inside and the last wall outside, the East wall. Pictures tomorrow.

We’re building more furniture while waiting for more shutter hinges.

This week it’s finishing the walls and build furniture

The cement guys are finishing up the inside and the last wall outside, the East wall. Pictures tomorrow.

We’re building more furniture while waiting for more shutter hinges.





The bistro set will have a teak top seats and backs. The coffee table will have teak inlays in the square and triangles.

The last picture is what the teak looks like before milling.

Last exterior wall is finished exterior trim and paint to do

We’re done with the major exterior cement work. The scaffolding comes down soon.

The Scaffolding is gone!

The exterior is down to paint and a little trim and shutters.



This is where we started last fall.

Finished teak hand rail

This is the first piece finished. The deck hand rail is the same teak rail. In total we made about 90’ of 2” X 4” hand rail from African teak. Mostly 17’ lengths.

Our project a year ago yesterday!

Time passes quickly. We’re down to the last few weeks inside upstairs. The last 6 solar panels were installed yesterday. Pictures later today.



Next we repaint the left side set with epoxy paint to match the new ones. Then the walkway and we’re done on the roof.

For those of you interested in solar power. The 6 new 540W panels generated 900W at 7:20 this morning under a low cloud cover.



[Edited on 5-12-2023 by RFClark]

[Edited on 5-12-2023 by RFClark]

The major building part of our project is almost done

We are doing exterior paint and trim. All of the interior walls are plastered and most have a first coat of paint. Electrical has 2-3 weeks to go. Keep watching, I’ll post pictures of the interior as soon as it’s cleaned up.

For those interested it took about 3 months to turn the 2 - 40’ containers into 800 sq ft of living space.



The top of the gray water storage tank (400 gal) was pored today. The hot tub will probably live there.


The gray water is distributed to the landscaping via a system of 3/4” PVC risers




We have Bamboo planted across the front of our lot. I like it better than palm trees and it captures about 35% more carbon. It also grows fast on about the same amount of (gray) water.


This will be a large percentage of our ground cover. It grows fast too. We’ll plant it in the area in front of the house after the walkway is poured next week.



[Edited on 6-2-2023 by RFClark]

Sidewalks in progress

Several people were interested in our gray water recycling system. If you follow the fence line from the valve up you can see the riser in each basin. The valve sends the gray water to this part of the yard. The plan is to grow the Mexican version of Bermuda Grass between the fence and the walkway.

We received some free with one of the bamboo plants and we have a few square feet already that we are transplanting to new locations. It multiplies like the brooms in the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Gray Water system finished & Sidwalks in

Gray water pump and 90 micron filter located atop the 400 G gray water storage tank.







Each section has a valve to control the water flow.



The white risers are the gray or fresh watering system



Front sidewalk finished

Watering system

The Stairwell and Stairs are Complete!

The first thing we did was cut the access way to the 2nd floor. That was over a year ago. Today we finished installing the stairs. Surprise, it all worked out.





We turned the lights on the 2nd floor on last night for the 1st time.

Big week for getting things finished! More to come.



[Edited on 6-21-2023 by RFClark]

Finished with concrete!

After a year since we received our Obra. We’re down to a little exterior paint, drains, interior doors and flooring on the 2nd floor.

Electrical is finished

3 of the 4 AC are installed and work

All 3 bathrooms are finished

The 2nd floor coffee bar is finished

Interior pictures after we do the floors over the next few days.

To all of you who have followed us, Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions.