I read everything on this list but seldom post because you are all way out of my league. In this case, though, I've done a lot of research and experimenting. The billboards are really promising. They are equal to the strength of the 'cover ~ it' clearspan buildings. I don't know how they would do for a house that people would live in. Supposedly, they can be insulated. The nice people at Farmtek sent us a sample when we began investigating barns. I used their samples to patch a temporary tarp roof and that patch is working well. We are building a series of shed row barns/ stalls for horses. Their 12 x 48 shape was dictated in part by the size of the billboards readily available on ebay. We decided to use 1 3/" chain link top rail pipe to go inside the edge sleeves. Figuring out a way to secure the billboard without cutting or putting grommets in was the hardest part. Basically, we've built pole barns with pipe frames, recycled lumber from an old barn, polycarbonate window and billboard roofs. Where we couldn't use the recycled oak boards, I broke down and bought plywood that we covered with driveway and asphault patch/sealer. I don't know how good that is for the environment but, at $12./for a 5 gallon pail, you can't beat it. We got estimates for barn building, all upward of $14,000. So far, we've managed to spend $1,800. doing it with our own work and alternative building. The goal was to shelter the animals without taking out a mortgage. It is working even if the buildings raise a few eyebrows. Clarissa --- On Thu, 12/2/10, JUDITH WILLIAMS <williams_judith@hotmail.com> wrote:
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