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mitsu
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 10-13-2011
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Construction Advice
Need some advice
Looking to build a home just North of San Felipe. Talking to a few builders and they are offering a variety of building materials available for
construction. Most are recommending Ladrillo, Cement Block with 1" of foam or Foam (Tri-D Panel, Rastra or Ice Block). I will not be living in the
house during the summer months so don't know if I want to spend the extra for the Tri-D Panel, Rastra or Ice Block. Any thoughts??
Mitsu
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Welcome to BajaNomad, mitsu.
There a lot of SF folks here and they should be giving you some good advice in a while.
Good luck with your project.
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greengoes
Select Nomad
Posts: 10291
Registered: 6-27-2011
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Mood: Today I slay the Red Dot.
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May I suggest you rent McFez's place for a year, before making a large investment, to be sure it is for you.
Interested in anime? Reminds me of another new member here, currently up in Rosarito, you may have some things in common.
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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My brother in law just finished constructing a home using the cement/styrofoam. Sound deadening frm outside#1. Warmer in the winter.#2 And cooler
in the summer #3. Sounds like good investment even if you won't be down there in the summer.
What development is "north of S.F."??
Leased land or do you have a title to it?
Always remember. Never spend more than you can walk away from without getting hurt!
[Edited on 10-14-2011 by Phil S]
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mitsu
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 10-13-2011
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Phil,
Thanks for your comments. The development is Playa De Oro and we have title to the land.
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jakecard
Nomad
Posts: 141
Registered: 7-13-2011
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How much more will it cost to build with foam block than cement block?
Jake
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Required Reading
Mitsu............required reading BEFORE you build in Baja:
http://tinyurl.com/43hwh4a
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
Member Is Offline
Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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YES. Absolutely everyone should read this book. Even if your only considering building. It's a very enjoyable read. High on my list of 'approved
Baja books"
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Antiquated
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Mitsu............required reading BEFORE you build in Baja:
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This book has little if anything in common with today's reality.
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Riom
Nomad
Posts: 492
Registered: 12-17-2004
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It's cold in the winter (at night) in San Felipe and it can be expensive to heat (with electric), so do go for extra insulation. 1" foam doesn't
sound like much at all (but is probably 1" more than many builders will use!). Get more.
Cement block and foam is generally the cheapest (make sure they build to earthquake-proof standards with plenty of rebar), but the other "systems"
might make your house more re-sellable in a development where many other houses use them, such as in Playa del Oro. You don't want to be too cheap or
basic a house in an expensive location.
It'll take 2 to 3 times as long to build as the builders state, and it'll either cost more or some things will have to be dropped off the list to make
the budget. If you're not present during construction (and probably even if you are) short-cuts will be taken by the builders and if there's any
decisions to be made by them (don't let them!), the easy/cheap option will be taken regardless of whether the end result looks good or even works.
This isn't unique to San Felipe of course, applies to builders anywhere.
It's stressful building in San Felipe. Next time, I'm buying a prefab or kit home.
Rob
[Edited on 2011-10-16 by Riom]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Actually
| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Mitsu............required reading BEFORE you build in Baja:
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This book has little if anything in common with today's reality. |
It's not....it is how things work here if you are not at the construction site overseeing things
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BigWooo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 579
Registered: 1-2-2007
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Here's another less expensive alternative. We filled the cells of the blocks (8") with foam beads. Although it will not provide the insulation value
of a solid sheet of 1" foam, according to our neighbor who used it in his house, it does make a noticable difference, both in keeping the house cooler
in the summer and warmer in the winter.
We haven't completed our house yet, so I can't tell you from personal experience if the foam beads actually make a difference. Like you, I'm more
worried about keeping the house warm in the winter. Once we get the windows and doors in, maybe two or three months, I'll have a better idea if it
was worth the effort.
These are the bags they come in:
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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to keep the house warm...the answer...WINDOWS
warm in the winter... HOT in the summer
my units with only doors are way cooler in the summer
now my 2 cents
if i didnt live here full time i wouldnt build
when you leave a place vacant you are asking for a breakin
even if you have security
if i built again
i'd build SMALL and bring in a prefab like
riom says...
even the septic tank should be a plastic pre-fab unit
not made of plastic water tanks and NOT out of cement
dig a hole ...set it in...hook up the leech lines..and done
these prefabs are really nice these days and easy to import and install
the electrical is correct and plumbing will work
they are also earthquake safer
and san felipe has had some recently
take a look at pre-fabs
you be surprised
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mitsu
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 10-13-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BigWooo
Here's another less expensive alternative. We filled the cells of the blocks (8") with foam beads. Although it will not provide the insulation value
of a solid sheet of 1" foam, according to our neighbor who used it in his house, it does make a noticable difference, both in keeping the house cooler
in the summer and warmer in the winter.
We haven't completed our house yet, so I can't tell you from personal experience if the foam beads actually make a difference. Like you, I'm more
worried about keeping the house warm in the winter. Once we get the windows and doors in, maybe two or three months, I'll have a better idea if it
was worth the effort.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Wooo'
Thanks for the pictures and information.
What part of Baja are you building in? Any advice on the construction would be helpful. We are planning to select our builder next month but
continue to weigh the pro's and con's on the structure of the house, |
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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filling CMU / cinder blocks cells with zonolite, EPS beads or any other medium will not help much because that will not create a "thermal break" - in
other words the migration of the thermal mass effect will go thru the connected system of the blocks forms.
You need to create a continual thermal break which will allow heat to build but not penetrate into the other side, and the mass will push back to the
outside as the day reverses.
the best system for this was "omni-block" due to the design of the masonry units and foam inserts effecting when assembled this thermal break. and no
loss of structural strength.
beyond that i'd go adobe and get 2' thick solid walls.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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is there something you could spray on mike
like that fiberglass stucco stuff they used to use
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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no, not really - it is not thick enough.
for older block homes the preferred system is called "outsulation" and involves a lay up of min 2" and better 3-4" EPS foam panels with mas adhesive.
then you can mortar wash, brown coat and or roll EFIS coating with or without integral color.
But you still have to deal with the roof system where the majority of heat gain/loss occurs.
many of the better products are not dist in mexico so importation becomes a cost impact.
for options contact the industry association for ICF or insulated concrete forms. they have new stuff all the time.
build a "cave" effect and you'll always be able to create comfort seasonally with minimal cost and maintenance.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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the "foam" houses here are peeling
the sun is brutal and the paint is just peeling off the newer foam products
the basic block is lasting the longest
we were talking about making a plastic palapa/casita....
the plastic is really holding up in this sunlight
my patio i made out of plastic fence rails looks outstanding
imagine...living in a plastic house
no fire place for sure
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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well - the right paint with strong PVA additive applied to a properly cured [read ph level checked and with a moisture meter] cementious stucco multi
coat should stand up to baja sun. Peeling is a phenomenum i am not familiar with.
plastic sounds good to me. i have seen plenty of it on womens' chests..... hahaha.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18386
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mitsu
Need some advice
Looking to build a home just North of San Felipe. Talking to a few builders and they are offering a variety of building materials available for
construction. Most are recommending Ladrillo, Cement Block with 1" of foam or Foam (Tri-D Panel, Rastra or Ice Block). I will not be living in the
house during the summer months so don't know if I want to spend the extra for the Tri-D Panel, Rastra or Ice Block. Any thoughts??
Mitsu |
building new would probably be a PITA. lots of people trying to sell their vacation homes in mexico, so why not by a home already built?
how are you going to manage/inspect construction when you are living 1,000 miles away?????????? perhaps you should hire a local architect...
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