been reading FH for years, but new to the Net and websites. I’m a small remodeling contractor facing a big project for my family. my wife was diagnosed this year with MCS(see Paula Baker-Laporte’s article in 2002 Houses issue) and we need to get out of the ’94 mobile home we live in. we have 4.5 acres here in southeast In with the trailer and a 30×50 pole barn. we are planning to convert the barn to a dwelling. the present structure has 4×6 and 6×6 posts 10’o.c., 30’trusses 5’o.c., and a concrete slab floor. we’re planning a 9×24 addition on one end to house 2 baths,laundry and mudroom–all the plumbing (kitchen sink just inside original barn from add’n). we’re going to insulate heavily and may put in radiant floor heating.
i’m reasonably competent or better in6-8 trades, but would welcome any input from FH readers who’ve done either such a modern barn conversion or a house for someone with chemical sensitivity. any tips, things learned the hard way, etc. i’ve read some of John & Lynn Bower’s books (www.hhinst.com) and plan to follow his design guidlines: no carpets, no particleboard or other sources of formaldehyde, no combustion appliances, good mechanical ventilation.
if anyone has anything to share about this subject, thank you in advance.
olbuzzard
Replies
You have a lot of reading in store. I've built furniture for similarly afflicted clients. We started with raw wood samples to put under the pillow for a night, continued with glue selection, and had a nightmare with finishes. Successful in the end with Livos products that I consider crappy as finishes, but worked for the sensitivity.
A major part of your plan should be the mechanical ventilation that you mentioned, not just opening windows. We do a total 2 hr airchange with externally filtered air. And this is just for our not unusual seasonal allergies, where Virginia is in the running for worst place to live. These sensitivities are cumulative, meaning the more time spent free from problems the easier it is when they are encountered outside your home. You might design for more frequent air changes.
Even your mobile home, now a few years old, would be reasonable if properly ventilated as most of the outgassing has already occurred. Your climate also will necessitate very careful humidity control for eliminating molds and mildew. Watch out for ductwork that can be an incubator. We dehumidify before outside air gets into the ductwork. Heat exchanger assumed.
Carefully consider EVERYTHING you put into the house. Good luck.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!