The Stand Inn

[2bits]

Haha Gary! yes the is EXACTLY the plan! I want to build it while I am young and then spend the rest of my life enjoying it! I have seen a few dome houses out there too, interesting. I guess I am in the right area with the unique thinkers. I will check them out too! That's why I post stuff, you never know what stuff you are gonna get turned on to!!!

[S. Heisley]

At one time, I considered building a dome house. They are kind of cool looking. There used to be a kit for that but I doubt there is anymore. My research made me decide against it. I found that too many of them had troubles with leaks. I guess it's because of all the angles.

[StPatron]

Dome home kits are still available but they are pricey. A do-it-yourselfer, like us trailer builders, should be easily able to construct the sections however. Tack a triangle frame together and cover it with plywood. A nice advantage is that the sections can be built as $'s and time are available. Then, assembled on site. The structure goes up rather quickly and you can then finish the interior at your leisure.

Sharon is correct, leaks used to be a problem. Standard asphalt shingles didn't conform well to the angled roof surface and many older dome homes suffered from leaks (even with a tar-paper layer underneath) and flapping/torn shingles. With the advent of new "membrane" materials that problem appears to be solved but would definitely be on my list to thoroughly research.

Ferro-cement construction is acclaimed to be the best system now. No termite worries, no leaks, able to withstand hurricane force winds and tornadoes, etc. The thought of a tornado-proof house ALONE gets the attention of those of us living in the danger zone, add termite-proof and that is rather tempting. Construction of the shell is quick. You erect the foundation, put up the rebar cage, inflate a balloon inside and have the concrete sprayed on. A downside is the cost. Getting a concrete pumper truck to the "woods" isn't cheap and sometimes impossible.

Just some things to think about, Thomas, while you're in the research phase. You have the skills to build whatever you want and the pride of accomplishment that comes from building your own house can never be measured. It's merely an "LT" build on a larger scale.

[2bits]

Back to the Trailer, I realized that the T@B is very similar to what I am wanting. I think the rear will be longer for style reasons and to accommodate the teardrop style outside galley in the back, but this is what I am thinking about! I am guessing it will be standard Anodized aluminum on the sides and the rest of my black aluminum around the top or or vise-versa.

[mcspin50]

Hi Thomas,

Re: A-Frame...this build project might be of interest to you.

http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=9259.0

Good luck with all your projects and plans.

[mezmo]

Hey Thomas/2bits,

Your welcome.

As I said, anything I suggest etc. is just for thought and consideration.
I'm just trying to point out any pluses or minuses or things I found
interesting or useful.

I firmly believe in the "Build it as you want, as you like" vein of thought.

But I also think it's a good idea to tweak it all to be as useful and
convenient to use as best we can.

I also like checking out / researching stuff when I'm looking into doing
something.

Another riff on the A Frame. I've seen over time a couple A Frame
variations. The first is the Gothic arch style, as already mentioned.
The other is a take off on the gambrel style roof - a very common
roof style in the east and midwest for barns and colonial style houses,
especially Dutch Colonials. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambrel

To use for an 'A Frame cabin, you'd just have a more upright side roof
member that would meet the shallow pitch upper roof member. Just join
the half this would make with another same dimensioned half reversed
for the mating side. You could also combine building this with the rigid
frame technique - 3/4in plywood gussets join the two rafter planes
together and the two roof sides together. It would not look like that rigid
frame cabin I referred you to, but would use the same building technique
for its strength, or you can use a ridge pole/beam for joining each frame
side to the corresponding side.

If you wanted a second floor; that could be attached as well to an
appropriate spot on the steeper pitch roof member on each side, either
for a full second floor or a partial loft style upper floor.

The gambrel style roof would still give you an "A" frame, it'd just be in
a block letter style as opposed to the sharp pointed triangular style of
the traditional "A". You'd have a ton more usable space with the gambrel
roof style "A" frame and it would still be as simple and straightforward
as a way to build one as the pointy style "A" Frame.

While I'm thinking of it, I'd recommend checking out any of the books
in the "Shelter" titles. They came out in the later 70s & the 80s. A lot
of great ideas and concepts in them for self builders. Also the book:
"The Owner Built Home" by Ken Kern is a great resource. I don't know
if is still in print but it is easily available as a used book and on Amazon.
Also check out the "Zero Energy" house concepts for what you can use
for your needs.

Just for fun:

Since domes were mentioned, here is a Danish site/company that has a
great take on the geodesic type. It uses very large segments that are
easier to weather proof:

http://easydomes.com/

I love round houses. This is way more than you plan on, but the method
is very interesting. No reason it couldn't be adapted for a smaller sized
home. Not as complicated as a dome:

http://www.raycotechnologies.org/roundconcretehomes.htm

A final thought on small space living. I'd recommend building in as much
of your storage and furniture as you are comfortable with. The early
bungalows, yachts, and the 50s era house trailers all have good ideas
to borrow. Also if you can build in your bed as either a murphy style,
or as a box bed [see European vernacular houses, esp. farmhouses]
that would save a lot of space.

OH, and lastly here is an interesting web site for what is called the
'Tiny House movement' -a lot of good ideas info on it for small sized
living quarters:

http://tinyhouseblog.com/

Half the fun is probably in the researching and planning of whatever
you happen to be building.

Norm/mezmo

[2bits]

Hi Thomas,

Re: A-Frame...this build project might be of interest to you.

http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=9259.0

Good luck with all your projects and plans.

Oh my gosh Lil, I just read that guys entire build thread. Norm, I suggest checking it out, what an inspiration, not only on the A-Frame which was built in 3 months but the personal story which is heart breaking and supremely triumphant all at the same time! The guy is totally off the grid too! Incredible! The build and the area is exactly my dream, and was both inspirational and intimidating, but I think giving myself 2 years when he did it in 3 mo might be obtainable. THANK YOU so much for posting this! That was really an incredible story to read. I will be telling his story to everyone I know for days!

Norm, Thank you for all your input, cost and not space, is such a major factor for me, and that is what makes the A-frame so appealing to me, not to mention the style. check out that story about and this photo is just completely awesome...

[mcspin50]

Thomas, I'm glad you liked the link.
Yeah, between T&TTT and the Country Plans website, I lose track of a lot of time.

[mezmo]

Hey Thomas/2bits,

I thought my last post had been lost as when I went to check on it
the listing showed you as the last poster - as it had when I started
composing it! - Meanwhile - Lil/mcspin50 had posted, and you had
seen my post and then responded to both Lil and me! Ha! I guess there
are other night owls out there too besides me.

[Hey Lil, thanks for posting that link! I see Thomas is enthusiastic
about it, and I don't blame him! It covers one of my big interests
also so I'll have to join their forum too myself.]

And Thomas, I just went through that posting and agree with you it
is a great record of someone actually building their dream. It seems
he is one of the lucky few who have survived melanoma, and I hope
that remains the case!

His "A" Frame turned out really well and he was fortunate to have some
willing helpers when he needed them. I thought it amusing when I saw he
also built his chicken coop as a mini-open A-Frame! I also liked the 'log'
style siding he used on the ends as well as the metal roofing. They both
set off its appearance nicely.

As you have probably surmised by now, I like efficient use of space if
doing so still fits your purposes. Usually it doesn't cost much or is free
except for the little bit of time it takes to design it or figure it out and
it makes using a space so much more enjoyable or convenient.

So I'll just do a small critique on a few details but won't belabor it:
[Note: I do realize he was on a very short deadline and did a great
and admirable job.]

- His knee walls walled off volume/space he built and paid for. You could
build drawers or shelving or cupboards in their place giving storage and
they could then function as knee walls.

- He needs to put fire protection on the roof-wall above/behind the
kitchen stove and the wood stove in the living room - plus a lot of radiant
heat must go out that window.

- The bedrooms are very tight on headroom. Gothic arch or gambrel
roofed A-Frame would help with that . Here's a link from the site showing
a gambrel A-Frame: http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=8555.0
Scroll down about halfway the page for a couple pics.

- I hope he can eventually enclose the underneath area around the
pilings. There is a lot of potential storage space there.

- I like his bottom box built stairway but that could be fitted out as more
storage as well since it is already built! All it needs is some drawers or
cupboard doors. In a small space there's no sense in wasting any.

I wholly see the appeal and very graphic style of the pointed-peak/triangular style A-Frame.

I'll just throw out a few more potentially useful point/ideas for future
reference or consideration - if you want to.

- Building on a slope - as he did - is a smart idea. If you enclose it as
a walkout basement or a partially earth sheltered base it'd give you a
large amount of extra space that will be partially already built for you
by virtue of you need some kind of foundation anyway and the floor of
the A-Frame above provides the ceiling already. The space'd be perfect
for locating the kitchen and a bath and maybe even a bedroom so the
A-Frame above could be a nice open living space or living space and a
bedroom. The lower area could be built out of block, poured cement or
even pressure treated wood [Google wood framed basements] where it
is below grade level, with regular wall framing above that to the A- Frame
floor level. This is a generally good idea I think, but especially so if you
are building a smaller A-Frame. It uses space that is already going to
be at least partially built and would allow you to put activities that need
more of a full height below the "Experience of an A-Frame" level above.

- I recommend including an entryway/mudroom type space. It'd help
in the transition from outside to inside and act a an airlock entry as well.
It'd help with energy use and keeping things cleaner inside.

- If you have a walkout level and a main level I'd recommend putting a
main bath where it is most useful and a half bath on the other level. The
older you grow, the more a handy restroom nearby is a need or great
convenience without a stairway as an obstacle on the way to it.
A half-bath could be as small as 3 ft x 4 1/2ft and still be comfortable. Just
mount a mini corner - cold water only - sink in it or a fold down sink
above the toilet or a small sink that mounts on the toilet tank - they have
them in Japan - depending if you are conventionally plumbed of course.

Just a few suggestions!

I know you're still in the "dreaming of it" stage, so dream on!, and
then design it as you want and then make it the most useful for yourself
as you can.

It will be interesting to see it unfold.


Norm

P.S. Just came across this:

a 2pg plan for a 24ftx24ft A-Frame.

http://bioengr.ag.utk.edu/extension/ext ... s/6003.pdf

[mcspin50]

Hi Thomas & Norm,
FYI, the house I live in, which we built 20 years ago in Frazee, MN, is a split entry and has a treated wood basement/lower level (2BR, 1 bath up/2BR, 1 bath down). We never put gutters on the roof, so there has been 20 years of rain runoff pouring off the roof right next to the foundation. Built in sandy soil (we never had to haul in any for the footers/foundation base), we've never had a leaking foundation. I think the only thing the carpenters did was slop that black foundation goo on the pressure treated plywood. With framed, insulated and sheetrocked walls, it's always been pleasant in the lower level. Only thing that would have made it better would be heated floors, but that technology wasn't available then to fit our budget; and besides, we carpeted every room but the bathroom and furnace room. And I don't think anyone suffered any side effects from the pressure treated wood There's a couple shots of the house and foundation in my gallery.
If I ever built another house, I'd definitely put in a wood basement.

[S. Heisley]

It might make a difference now. Treated wood using the old method that contained arsenic was outlawed. If I remember correctly, that was at the end of 2008. Whether the new way of treating the wood holds up is kind of a guess as it's only been in use for a couple years; so, hasn't had the test of time.

...Just something to consider.