Replies

1. 
   CloudHidden | Mar 03, 2005 03:12am | #1

   FHB had an article a few years ago about stone tilt-up walls.

1. 
   heyoka | Mar 03, 2005 04:15am | #3

   Yeah I found an article on that method last night but have yet to go back and read it. Sounds potentially finicky but really, what do I know?! Thanks! Mike 

2. 
   csnow | Mar 03, 2005 04:12am | #2

   It's a whole lot easier to have only one finished side, plus bare stone on the inside may sound asthetically pleasing, but is not realistic in a cold climate.

   Slipform method is probably easiest for folks working in small crews with limited equipment.

1. 
   heyoka | Mar 03, 2005 04:22am | #4

   Small crews and limited equipment. Yes I believe that's me! I am actually thinking 2x6 or even 2x8 walls with finished (wainscot, sheetrock, tin) interior and stones on the exterior. We have looked at the infamous lick n' stick stone and aren't at all impressed with the finished look. Though we haven't seen it in person, their castle stone may be OK. I'm more inclined to build stick so I can take my time with exterior stone work and still have a finished interior, but my wife want's a traditional stone castle. Humm. Thanks though!  Mike  

1. 
   donpapenburg | Mar 03, 2005 05:26am | #5

   Pour yourself an ICF house and veneer the thing with your real stone.

1. 
   heyoka | Mar 05, 2005 05:40pm | #12

   Don, what the hootinanney is an ICF house? Poured concrete walls? Thanks. Mike

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 05, 2005 09:29pm | #16

   ICF stands for insulated concrete forms. You take blocks about 16" x 48" x 12" and stack them like Legos, re-inforce, and pour the crete inside, then finish the surfaces. I agree it is the way to go for you as a DIY. I reme3mber a conference thirty years ago in Colorado where they were teaching various energy saving designs. Rocks are popular out there. One of the most efficient designs they had tested was a stone structure. It was a wall of 6" CMUs ( concrete blocks) on the inside for structure, with ties extending out through the 4" foam panels to the stone exterior veneer. Very high skill level tho. I can see a moderately67 skilled person building a very well insulated home with ICFs and stone veneer. Interior could be stone or other. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   heyoka | Mar 06, 2005 01:24am | #20

   Very interesting! This sounds like it could be the best way to do this. I'll search for more info on this type of building. I have never heard of this in my area. Thanks! Mike 

3. 
   Piffin | Mar 06, 2005 04:30am | #25

   here are a couple sample pictures from one of Taunton's author's Rick Arnopld. Taunton has a book on the subject, I think. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

4. 
   Piffin | Mar 05, 2005 09:32pm | #17

   Hey, I grew up in NYS. I can't figure out whar you mean about northern NY but not upstate? Anything north of the city is upstate. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

5. 
   heyoka | Mar 06, 2005 01:28am | #21

   Well here in the Adirondacks we have always called it northern new york, with "upstate" actually being "downstate". Don't really know where the so-called cutoff may be but I guess it's just one of those things. Kind of silly eh? Mike 

6. 
   donpapenburg | Mar 06, 2005 02:20am | #23

   Yep poured concrete inside a foam form.

   My opinion is to use one with plastic ties.not steel. The reason is thermal briging .Might as well leave the window open.

   Get the blocks or panels with an open interior . Concrete flowes better ,No expensive pump mix if you get a conveyor truck to fill the tall forms.  Less chance of voids and weak spots.

   I like the convayor truck because I can use the larger agregates, I think makes for a stronger mix.

   Also put more braces on than the instructions call for .

   OH  Do read the instructions for this prodject.

2. 
   kostello | Mar 03, 2005 11:14am | #8

   "but my wife want's a traditional stone castle."Does she require a drawbridge too??could be fun

1. 
   Sphere | Mar 03, 2005 11:21am | #9

   Make room..I just may be in your backyard in 2 weeks.......spheramid@aol.com 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Restoring, Remodeling, Reclaiming The Quality..

2. 
   heyoka | Mar 05, 2005 05:44pm | #14

   Kostello, Wouldn't that be cool?! Mike

3. 
   frenchy | Mar 03, 2005 07:26am | #6

   Solid stone or stone only buildings would be impossible to heat and feel comfortable in..

     I built with stone but it was applied as a veneer to the SIP's   You could use SIP's as a insulator and have a stable house whereas an all stone house would eventually settle and crack  Weak enough joints could cause the walls to come tumbling down..

    If you really want the look of stone even on the inside you then could put an inside veneer on the SIP's 

     Building this way goes surprisingly quickly and results a a secure and well insulated home...

1. 
   PatMcG | Mar 03, 2005 02:56pm | #10

   Not all depends on construction.

   We live in a c.1820's stone farm house. 2000+/- Sq. ft.; 3rd flr is an unheated bedroom; fibreglas batts (poorly) fitted between log rafters; (antique) oil hw heat; storm windows over wood sash.  Walls vary from 18 to 20 inches thick. On the interior there are studs and finish wall. No insulation.

   The house faces south and is well sheltered from prevailing winds. It is neither at the top nor the bottom of the hill which it is sited on. An elderly relative stayed with us for 2 months of this winter and, during that time, we raised the thermostat from our customary 68 to 72. Still, we have only used about 300 gallons of fuel so far. (We are in southeastern PA.) Also, the cooling cost is less than I anticipated when I installed the CA.

   My point is that careful siting can pay as much benefit as some construction details.

2. 
   heyoka | Mar 05, 2005 05:43pm | #13

   Frenchy, I know nothing if that method of construction, but I'll look into it. Thanks. Mike

4. 
   AJinNZ | Mar 03, 2005 08:39am | #7

   I have a couple of interesting magazine articles on it. I can scan and send if your interested.

    

   Everything, 100% of it, depends on how you look at it.

   DW

5. 
   csnow | Mar 03, 2005 05:17pm | #11

   Something related from my bucket of saved links:

   http://www.hollowtop.com/cls_html/stone_home.htm

1. 
   heyoka | Mar 05, 2005 05:46pm | #15

   Good link, thanks!

6. 
   Sphere | Mar 05, 2005 09:34pm | #18

   Macchu Picchu Google and guts..

    

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Restoring, Remodeling, Reclaiming The Quality..

1. 
   heyoka | Mar 06, 2005 01:32am | #22

   Ahh yes good old Macchu Picchu. Kind of scary to imagine building that, or pretty much any European Cathedral. The skills and potential humans hold is astounding. The creativity of todays homes is depressing. Life's too fast I guess. Mike

1. 
   Sphere | Mar 06, 2005 02:21am | #24

   They had help..a primative form of BT. Oh, we ARE primative..sorry.Copper and rocks for tools, it musta been a long day or two huh? 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Restoring, Remodeling, Reclaiming The Quality..

7. 
   VaTom | Mar 06, 2005 12:05am | #19

   I'll leave the heating to you, but trullis are nice looking:

   PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!