The most important real world opinion I can offer is that you very
seriously look at the amount of physical labor and monetary expense
that will be involved in the project you're proposing.
This will be no small project. Are you planning on doing most of the
work yourself? Are you prepared to spend several years on the
project? Are you prepared to spend double the time and money you think
the project will require? Is your relationship with your significant
other up to the stress that this project will bring? Are both of you
enthusiastic about it, or is one of you grudgingly going along?
Be honest with yourself. Think clearly about all aspects of this.
If you are confident you are up to the task, TEST YOURSELVES. Build a
small storage shed or workshop first. Use the same techniques you plan
to use for your main structure. Learn from it. Don't just learn how
to build, learn what you'll be required to do before you invest large
amounts of time and money. Make your mistakes on the small structure
so you won't make as many more costly mistakes on the larger
structures. Talk with your partner openly and honestly about how much
work each of you will contribute as you build. Talk about those
finances and the inevitable overages. Talk about how you'll keep
yourselves motivated over the long haul. Make sure each of you listens
to each other and fully understands their expectations.
I'm not trying to discourage you. My hope is to get you to think long
and hard about your project. If your eyes are wide open and you want
go for it, I'll happily pat you on the back and cheer you on. However,
the best time to recognize that a task is more than you bargained for
is BEFORE YOU START.
Hope this helps.
--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "canineaficionado"
<danceswithdachshunds@...> wrote:
>
> We need your real world opinions about a future 1200 sq. ft. house of
> cordwood/papercrete mortar in Colorado at 8400 ft. An additional 12"
> papercrete wall outside of the cordwood wall could be added for
> additional insulation. We are 50-ish, have bad elbows, but lots of
spunk
> and perseverence. Although there are many other construction
techniques
> that could be utilized for thermal mass other than wood, we think this
> is the only one we can do with our crew of 2 (us). I'd love to hear
your
> thoughts about this idea in cold climates. We're off grid, so
everything
> comes at a premium. Thanks!
>
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