You can buy small booklets or ‘pocket guides’ from building supply centers that show the main steps of construction. Besides being compact and low cost, the nice thing about these pocket guides is they only show want you really need. Many homeowners don’t need a full length book on these subjects. They just need to know the basics. Pocket guides (the lowest cost versions) have simple black and white line drawings of each main step. For instance, pocket guides illustrate how to wire an outlet or a switch.
DIY
Three Ways Building Codes Escalate Construction Costs
Do you think building codes are fair and set up primarily for society’s protection? Guess again. In reality, building codes were written by the timber, steel, brick and concrete industries, in collaboration with banks and insurance companies to maximize profits for themselves. This creates barriers to entry that make it difficult to build with alternative materials.
Where to Live: Building Code or No Code Areas?
Comment from mountainviewoffgridliving:
“We’ve purchased your book and are about ready to start buying what we need to get started. I am finding a lot of contractors advertise their leftover building materials on Craigslist so we are picking up things now for either very little or for free like windows, doors, boards, etc. Our next purchase will be the bags and barbed wire. We want everything we need while we can still buy things. We just purchased a Kimberly Stove and after the earthbags we will buy a Sun-Mar Composting toilet. We should be really close then to having what we need… or at least I hope so. .
Tiled Windowsills
Previous blog posts have covered accent/decorative tile, saltillo tile and terracotta tile floors. Countertops, floors and bathrooms immediately come to mind when thinking of tile. Don’t overlook tiled windowsills. Besides being practical and cost effective, tiled windowsills are very durable. Tile can easily last decades if the grout is properly applied and maintained. Moisture tends to build up around windows from condensation, and so tile is a natural choice for this area, especially if you have potted plants. In addition, tile adds a nice splash of color and helps break up monotonous areas. Another plus is windowsills are usually small and do not require much tile or great skill to get good results. Free online tile instructions and/or a library book are all you really need. Tile cutters can be rented by the day.
Ski Cabin Photos
Ski cabin photos just for fun.
Update on Canadian Dirtbags Earthbag Home
“Well, the updates continue to be slow to come and sparse on detail but that’s because we are still working away. I had hoped we’d be in by now, with only floors and ceiling to complete before we could start moving stuff over. Who knew floors and ceiling would be so challenging in round(ish) rooms? We were going to go with a natural feel to the floors, a lime finish, but changed our minds at last minute. Partly for the convenience of cleaning and in part for the extra buffer from the cold we decided on a dark laminate flooring (I know, I know- not very ‘natural’ but gorgeous) and it turns out I suck at cutting laminate floor boards, much as I love the power tools.