Updating NDSU Plans

[AndyL]

G'day all,

Found a forum I can call home Most of you are living our dream it would seem... Currently we're hunting for some land (SW Slberta or SE BC - somewhere close to / within the mountains). And I'm trying to run some numbers to figure out how we're going to do it

I see a lot of you guys have referenced the NDSU plans archive (partly how I found this place - lost the link after a hard drive meltdown, then found it again here). Wondering if some of you might be knowledgeable enough to help with some revisions to those plans...

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans/5965.pdf

That's the main one we're looking at, 24x36 - but given it was designed in '63 - thinking there may be some changes needed as materials and options are radically different these days... Anyone have some suggestions?

To really challenge - we're building 2 - one as the MIL suite (we know we're going to have both living with us in time) which will basically be by plan... But we'd like to build a second house - our 'dream' house... What we're looking at is building 3 in a "T" shape basically adding 18' a-frame wings out to the sides for more space; and doing a proper basement. Structurally - its going to be fun, hoping I can talk a architect acquaintance into drawing out what needs to happen to make it work, but - would take any advice in the meantime, so I can do continue running some budget numbers...

Nice to meet y'all, looking forward to getting to know some of ya's.

Andy

[Windy in Kansas]

Hi Andy, I don't think I can help with the plans but I do want to welcome you to the forums. I hope you will feel free to use all of the forums.

Best wishes. Windy in Kansas

[PNP Katahdins]

Welcome, Andy, be prepared to spend a lot of time here. There have been some nice threads on house plan ideas.

Peg

[AndyL]

Thanks for the welcomes I'm sure I'll be spending way too much time here... Between camping, gardening (we're running a nice little aquaponics system in the kitchen for some of our veggies), Like I said Think I've found a new home

Figured since I'm playing with the main house in sketchup anyway here's the intended layout:

Still lots to add - playing with the floor of the 2nd level right now seeing where that nice point is between high ceiling / space...

[wy_white_wolf]

Welcome AndyL,

Yes, I have lots of ideas about A-frames. I did look over those plans before starting mine:



I'll post a link to my photbucket account later if you want to brouse all the picks.

It's only 20' by 20'. Works nice for lumber but is small. With the 1/2 loft it only works out to about 400sq' usable.

If you want to go with the 24' width I'd look into using TJI for both the floor and roof joists. That would keep you from having to deal with making joints in the middle of those long stretches.

it also works out nice to stick with 60 degree angles for the sides. Easy to remember and your never needing to work out what angle something is. They are all 30, 60 or 90. Make up 2 templetes for your saw guide and use them for all 30/60 cutting.

Lunch time. I'll check back later.

WWW

[AnnieinBC]

Andy, I don't think I can help much either with the plans, but welcome to the forums! We're in the Cariboo region of BC.

[AndyL]

Love to see the photobucket - feel free to pm or post or whatever

Annie - You're where I want to be... But we're looking at the nakusp area - as that's looking like where $ will be pointing us (and ya can't complain about the purcell range).

[wy_white_wolf]

http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...te_wolf/Cabin/

I would have posted it earlier but was at work and had a firewall stopping access.

[AndyL]

I've been wondering about engineered joists systems - hadn't seen much use of them in a-frames, and was wondering about their use...

Been eyeballing the paralam type beams too - as I gotta say I love the way that richmond oval turned out - with the big exposed paralam beams... Makes it tempting to make a more exposed/unfinished beam arrangement - but haven't a clue how I'd insulate etc if I went that route...

For those wondering:
http://www.vancouver2010.com/richmon...hotoScrollHref

[wy_white_wolf]

Originally Posted by AndyL

I've been wondering about engineered joists systems - hadn't seen much use of them in a-frames, and was wondering about their use...

Been eyeballing the paralam type beams too - as I gotta say I love the way that richmond oval turned out - with the big exposed paralam beams... Makes it tempting to make a more exposed/unfinished beam arrangement - but haven't a clue how I'd insulate etc if I went that route...

For those wondering:
http://www.vancouver2010.com/richmon...hotoScrollHref

Using paralams would be easy but expensive. Insulating wouldn't be a problem, just use foam board insulation on top of the decking or SIPS.

http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclo...nsulation.html

http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclo...ted_panel.html

[AndyL]

SIPS sounds fun - I'm more used to dealing with the steel faced SIPS than the wood ones... Didn't even realize they exist actually.

Paralam beams @ 4' O/C do an R16 SIP on the roof sheathing, then build in ~2" to accomodate wiring/plumbing along exterior walls, sprayfoam that up before closing in... But then ventilation becomes an issue doesn't it? Isn't some cold space needed on the roof?

[ErinP]

Use 1x strapping (run vertically up the roof line) above your insulation foam and you'll have your cold channels.

[wy_white_wolf]

Originally Posted by AndyL

SIPS sounds fun - I'm more used to dealing with the steel faced SIPS than the wood ones... Didn't even realize they exist actually.

Paralam beams @ 4' O/C do an R16 SIP on the roof sheathing, then build in ~2" to accomodate wiring/plumbing along exterior walls, sprayfoam that up before closing in... But then ventilation becomes an issue doesn't it? Isn't some cold space needed on the roof?

From my reading on them as long as you use a closed cell foam and panel you shouldn't have to ventilate the roof. You may need to come up with some sort of ventilation for the building because of how air tight that will make the structure.

I should know for sure in about 10 to 15 years. Helped a friend put a roof on his addition using them about 5 years ago. We layed the tarpaper right on the OSB panel of the IP per the manufactures instructions.