ᐅ Porous concrete bungalow – experiences? DIY beginner questions!
Created on: 24 Apr 2018 10:38
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GooSe_77
Hello everyone,
We have been considering building or buying a house for some time now, and we would like to move forward and start planning more concretely. However, I feel overwhelmed by all the information available online—or sometimes not available—and I would like to discuss my idea here with you.
I want to do as much as possible myself, I’m not necessarily unskilled, and currently, I have enough time.
The desired living space would be a bungalow with 2-3 bedrooms, one bathroom, and a large living area. Ceiling height about 3.5m (11.5 ft) with a slightly sloped green roof at 10°. If I find a simple software, I can try drawing it.
I can well imagine using aerated concrete blocks (porous concrete) for the walls, mainly because I think I could manage that myself. The roof structure would be made of glued laminated timber (glulam), spanning about 7m (23 ft) without support, so sturdy beams will be needed. The advantage is that no load-bearing walls will have to be built. The living area would be completely open without any internal walls. A structural engineer would have to calculate this, but can anyone here make a rough estimation?
I have a few questions about the aerated concrete: as far as I know, it is vapor-permeable. So, if it is clad with wood on the outside and plastered with clay on the inside, would that create a comfortable indoor climate?
Is it possible to achieve a KfW 55 energy standard with corresponding windows? What thickness would be required in that case?
Electric and plumbing installations will be embedded in the walls. Is there anything to consider here since the blocks are thinner—regarding structural stability and thermal insulation?
What would be a rough estimate of the material costs for heating (underfloor heating), water, and electricity installation? Just to get a rough idea…
Thanks a lot,
Bastian
We have been considering building or buying a house for some time now, and we would like to move forward and start planning more concretely. However, I feel overwhelmed by all the information available online—or sometimes not available—and I would like to discuss my idea here with you.
I want to do as much as possible myself, I’m not necessarily unskilled, and currently, I have enough time.
The desired living space would be a bungalow with 2-3 bedrooms, one bathroom, and a large living area. Ceiling height about 3.5m (11.5 ft) with a slightly sloped green roof at 10°. If I find a simple software, I can try drawing it.
I can well imagine using aerated concrete blocks (porous concrete) for the walls, mainly because I think I could manage that myself. The roof structure would be made of glued laminated timber (glulam), spanning about 7m (23 ft) without support, so sturdy beams will be needed. The advantage is that no load-bearing walls will have to be built. The living area would be completely open without any internal walls. A structural engineer would have to calculate this, but can anyone here make a rough estimation?
I have a few questions about the aerated concrete: as far as I know, it is vapor-permeable. So, if it is clad with wood on the outside and plastered with clay on the inside, would that create a comfortable indoor climate?
Is it possible to achieve a KfW 55 energy standard with corresponding windows? What thickness would be required in that case?
Electric and plumbing installations will be embedded in the walls. Is there anything to consider here since the blocks are thinner—regarding structural stability and thermal insulation?
What would be a rough estimate of the material costs for heating (underfloor heating), water, and electricity installation? Just to get a rough idea…
Thanks a lot,
Bastian
GooSe_77 schrieb:
I want to do as much as possible myself, I’m not necessarily untalented, and I currently have enough time available.GooSe_77 schrieb:
I can imagine building walls with aerated concrete blocks, especially since I feel confident I could manage that myself.GooSe_77 schrieb:
What could be a rough estimate of the material costs for heating (underfloor heating), water, and electricity? Just to get a general idea...To me, this sounds like there is (relatively) limited budget available, which is why you want to do some work yourself. Regarding the trades you mentioned (heating, water, electricity), I think that is somewhat risky unless you consider yourself skilled with tools and say, "my father runs a construction company", rather than simply not untalented. Building walls with aerated concrete blocks is feasible even for someone less skilled. However, without a construction manager or supervision, building a house should not be attempted alone. I would recommend looking into companies specializing in aerated concrete homes, like Ytong or similar. Building a house is not straightforward. Technical trades generally require licensed professionals to do the work, among other regulations.
And about the time... why do you have enough time to do yourself what others would need a whole team to complete in half a year?
GooSe_77 schrieb:
The desired living space would be a bungalow with 2-3 bedrooms, one bathroom, and a large living area. Ceiling height around 3.5m (11.5 feet) with a slightly sloped roof, 10° green roof. If I find a simple software, I can try drawing it.GooSe_77 schrieb:
The roof structure would be made of glued laminated timber spanning about 7m (23 feet), so you’d need quite substantial beams.That makes the house considerably more expensive than a standard build.
jansens schrieb:
I assume that an architect is not necessarily planned here. Rather, everything is being done independently.No, at the moment I’m just looking at what we like and how it can be implemented. When it comes to the details, an architect and a structural engineer will be involved.
Nordlys schrieb:
36.5cm (14 inches) Ytong. 0.9 windows. Sufficient for KFW 55.Thanks
ypg schrieb:
This sounds to me like (relatively) little money is available, which is why some of the work is being done by yourself.
I find that somewhat risky for the trades you mentioned (heating, water, electricity) unless you are handy and say: "My dad runs a construction company", rather than just not untalented.
Building with aerated concrete blocks works for non-professionals. However, without a site manager or supervision, building a house is not something to be underestimated. I would recommend visiting Ytong house builders (or similar companies).
A house build doesn’t work that easily. Technical trades have to be done by certified professionals, etc.
Also, time… why do you have enough time to do something yourself that others take six months to complete in a crew?Relatively little is relative, after all. I just want to keep the whole thing as affordable as possible, and I don’t see what’s wrong with that… Lower costs = paid off earlier.
There are plenty of certified professionals available, many of whom allow you to help or do some of the work yourself. My question was more about the material costs and experience regarding how much cable one typically ends up laying...
Well, why do I have time… that’s my business.
Maria16 schrieb:
Nobody here will quickly calculate whether the structure could work in terms of statics. Sooner or later you will need a structural engineer to provide a document for the building permit / planning permission.Of course, I will need that. I was just looking for a rough estimate of what’s needed. Or put differently, will I get by with around 10,000 for the beams or will it be closer to 25,000? From some quick reading in the area of hall construction, there seem to be tables with reference values…
So, it’s not impossible. Three houses down the street, a family—father, son, wife, plus a thousand friends—are building too, but they are all professional tradespeople: the father is a carpenter, the son a bricklayer, and so on. That makes for different conditions; they also work quite quickly, and their efficiency is high.
GooSe_77 schrieb:
Well, why do I have time... it’s my own business
....You’re not the first one to see building a house as a short walk instead of a marathon.
But if only you are allowed to ask questions and expect honest answers, then I’m unsubscribing from this thread. Good luck anyway.
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