Posts by lakestone

I had quite a bit of advice on how to frame for the upper windows and lower. In the end, I did it my own way. Obstacles I had to overcome were complicated by Rammed Earth Walls a 1/2 inch or so out of line due to shifting of forms while compacting. I had to […]
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I waited to do my excavation for Plumbing and Electrical, mostly because I wasn’t sure how to do it. I watched my neighbors and other builders put it in and then rented a Kubota for a week. A neighbor helped with the excavation putting about 13 hours on the machine. I put in 27. Did […]
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Roof was insulated with 8 inches of 40 PSI insulation. R40 at 0 degrees Celsius. Insulation was then covered with EPDM rubber.
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Installing the vapor barrier for the roof was problematic. My first attempt using plastic failed. Condensation appeared overnight and after a week, a slimy scum arose. I couldn’t believe this building technique is usually recommended for Green Roofs. I switched to a more expensive paintable rubberized blue product – Blue like the Sky.
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Twenty-two pillars were constructed to support beams for roof. Pillars were made out of 5/8″ rebar and 6000 psi concrete mix. Each pillar poured by hand and topped with a beam seat. Lots of fun climbing up ladder with half a pail of concrete.
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The bond beam was made with 6000 PSI concrete mix and 5/8″ rebar. It was poured in four main sections strengthening the bond between walls.
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