Replies

1. 
   Jason | Apr 17, 2001 10:42pm | #1

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   Well, to be honest, you didn't say the phrase that I think many cringe at "with minimal cost"; because with minimal cost usually means a lot of, well, difficult situations in trying to tie in design, quality, and ease of construction. I frequently find myself in the same situation, because I don't have a crew and frequently hire my own day labor for many things. As such, my first choice, when possible, is always SIPs. My second choice is panelized stud framing. I can build all the walls in my shop, truck them to a site and with minimal help (sometimes none), have them stood up in no time. These types of choices aren't always the cheapest, but in my situation, panelization of some type makes the most sense, both logistically and economically.

   I don't know if you plan on living on site or not, which might play a role, but I recently shelled in my own cabin (with net help from my friends here), which is a good five hours away. It never would have gotten done in as short a time as it did without a lot of preplanning and panelization. If you don't have a lot of experience in construction, and perhaps as important, logistics, SIPs might be the way to go because you can send the plans in, and two weeks later get them delivered to the site. And, to be honest, I don't know squat about ICFs, strawbale (and really don't want to), or some of the other methods that might be used in this situation.

   This is just my opinion; but I think you're on the right track to investigate all the different options you have, as well as the costs and long-term consequences. Good luck, and keep posting.

1. 
   Gabe_Martel | Apr 18, 2001 01:33am | #2

   *You're not 94 years old by any chance?Cause if you are, better stop thinking and start building.Gabe

1. 
   davidmason | Apr 18, 2001 05:10am | #3

   *If you're going to build it by yourself then I would stick frame it with 2x6 exterior walls , so you can get R-21 fibrglass in them. Get your trusses built with a 12" heel so you can get R-38 fiberglass in the ceiling. You should be able to get most of it done by yourself if you build the walls just big enough to lift all by your lonesome. Dave

2. 
   RE_Silk | Apr 18, 2001 05:10am | #4

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   I plan on heading to the Tucson area and building a simple 1,800 sq foot vacation house in the desert. The local construction techniques vary from straw bale to SIPs to ICF-type walls to concrete block to stick framed with stucco. I hope to build most of this place myself working alone with minimal extra labor. I need high wall and roof R-values. How should I go to balance being an owner/builder with required high R-values with finishing this thing before I'm 95 years old?