Lakestone House - A Stabilized Rammed Earth Home - Page 2 of 3

Framing for Windows

Posted on March 12, 2017 by lakestone Leave a comment

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 get a few windows a inch or 1/2 an inch shorter/wider than planned. But overall, I was happy with the end result. Took weeks figuring out how many windows to put in. I decided on 28 windows. 10 in the Rammed Earth and 18 in the Framing.

Need to get windows in. It’s cold outside!

These windows receive the most rain besides the patio. Have to make sure I flash these right.

Decided against a 7 foot door so I could have a big Sky Window.

Planning what size of window to put in this space. Hopefully a big window.

Decided to use wall keyways to help with framing for patio door.

No window header needed here with that giant beam on top.

I’m the only builder I know of in these parts using earth quake strong materials. I spaced my framing bolts every 18 inches. Most builders do it at 4 feet.

Front of house before windows.

Looks a little spooky with all those tarps and plastic.

Holes to allow walls to breathe.

The Furious Nature of Lake Cowichan

Posted on February 11, 2017 by lakestone Leave a comment

Weather plays a big part in what and when you can build. Sometimes though, it’s just beautiful.

We had a freak rain storm. My neighbors property flooded. Fortunately, my drains worked. But it sure looks bad.

A rain hat for the gods?! Battling the elements and winning today with this rubber fisherman’s hat.

I work up to this. Mud sliding from thirty feet away. This is Lake Cowichan.

Mud slide smoothing. All my grass gone.

Steps so I don’t break my neck climbing up the hill.

It was cold 2016-2017. Most snow in ages. Fortunately, my roof can hold ten feet of snow.

Looking like a cold abandoned building.

A builder’s nightmare. Snow on everything.

You got to have a sense of humor about snow and building.

Very beautiful snowy night.

Roof blending in with nature. Beautiful colors of the sky.

Beautiful Sunset at the lake.

Spraying Grass

Posted on October 28, 2016 by lakestone Leave a comment

After putting in the plumbing and electrical pipes, it was time for some greenery.

Makes you feel good to watch them spray grass.

A 100 foot Bald Cypress … possibly at some point in the future.

Giant Sequoia planted. Looks so nice and green. Wonder if that will last?!

So what will this look like in 30 years. A giant Sequoia and grass.

Grass sprayed to help keep the bank from sliding during the winter rains.

Sprayed green. But look at all the drainage slides.

Excavating for Plumbing and Electrical

Posted on October 26, 2016 by lakestone Leave a comment

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 a lot of work in the last two days before they came to take it away.

It was fun using this machine. It was a real work horse.

What a mess?!

Trying to minimize bending for an easy pull.

I had a neighbor’s help in the excavation of electrical. He did it much faster than I could have.

The soil pipe and storm sewers were nice and straight to the city lines. They are deep too. Don’t have to worry about freezing. My neighbor helped with this dig. I would’ve never done it this way. I had planned more bends. His way was better.

Lots of fun making sure the pipes don’t get crushed by rocks as my neighbor shaves the hill.

I forgot about this drain and had to do some creative plumbing. After I did this, I realized I could’ve run it the other direction and connected further down the line in a smoother path. Luckily, it’s only drainage for floor drains. Not suppose to get much water here. And I added an extra cleanout.

Digging up on the hill. Making it smooth.

Luckily, I had the foresight to install plumbing and electrical conduit for future garage.

A mud pit after excavating for electrical, water, and sewage. More gravel needed.

Insulating Roof

Posted on July 24, 2016 by lakestone Leave a comment

Roof was insulated with 8 inches of 40 PSI insulation. R40 at 0 degrees Celsius. Insulation was then covered with EPDM rubber.

Carried the insulation across my little bridge. Two layers of R20 for a total of R40.

Created a gutter with insulation cut at 45 degrees.

Covering the roof with three sheets of EPDM rubber with two feet overlap. No way I’m getting leaks?!

Waterproofing the roof and foundation.

Roof Vapor Barrier Blues

Posted on July 1, 2016 by lakestone Leave a comment

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.

Tried plastic on the roof as code says. However, it was horrible. Condensation appeared overnight and after a week a scum was forming. Ripped the stuff off. Building codes are sometimes poorly though-out.

Building the parapet to hold in the insulation and dirt for green roof.

Tore off the plastic and used a more expensive paintable product. No condensation problems.

Douglas-Fir-Planking the Roof

Posted on June 25, 2016 by lakestone Leave a comment

Across the Glulam beams 3″ x 6″ Double Tongue and Groove Planks were used. Weakest part of roof is 200 PSF across the longest beam. Otherwise the roof is 400 to 600 PSF.

8 inch galvanized spikes and six inch plank nails. Good thing is my roof ain’t moving.

10,000 more swings of that sledge hammer await for me. Tools I used to pound nails. Pre-drilled all holes.

What would I do without you?

My neighbor across the street started much later than I and was finished 6 months later. I wonder why I didn't I build a stick-frame home and then go back to pounding 8 inch spikes.

My neighbor across the street started much later than I and was finished 3 months after I took this photo. I wonder for a bit why I hadn’t I built a stick-frame home and then went back to pounding 8 inch spikes in a meditative stupor.

I had my tricks to align the planks and keep them aligned while I nailed them in.

That same hat and shirt. Nearing the roof end.

That same hat and shirt. Nearing the roof’s end.

It’s done, six weeks later. Thousand of nails and screws.

Waterproofed the nail ends. Not really necessary, but I did it anyway.

Planks look good from underneath.

Raising Beams to the Sky

Posted on May 16, 2016 by lakestone Leave a comment

Eleven Glulam beams were used to construct the first part of the roof. The longest beams were 42 feet in length and weighed 1000 lbs.

I paid for the beams and then raced ahead and waited for delivery.

That’s a lot of planks and beams. Wasn’t cheap either.

I was quite happy the beams lowered into their seats without any problems.

Beams weigh about 1000 pounds. It was uprising how fast we got them up there.

Secured the beams with 2 x 6’s so they wouldn’t shift.

I had help with the lowering of the beams. My cousins and a kindly gentleman who was interested in the project and stopped by for fun.

Constructing Roof Pillars

Posted on April 28, 2016 by lakestone Leave a comment

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.