Small Mod Build

Reply to: Thanks everyone! We had some issues with our original builder, so were delayed by a year, but the house is being built and we have a move-in scheduled for late November. We have geothermal technology installed with radiant flooring throughout. Part of the house is slab foundation, and in that portion we used the concrete for the flooring. 1/2-2/3 of the house has basement, and over that section we have a mixture of cork, tile, and engineered materials. We've learned a lot about R values and insulation (the house is fully insulated with spray foam), automated window shading and southern exposure, and so much more. We built on 30 acres and had to fell a decent number of trees in the process. We're having the lumber milled and dried and using as much as we can in the house. We lucked out and ended up with a lot of walnut, red oak, and pin oak. We're thrilled. Thanks again for your input. It's much appreciated.

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Reply to: Cork is one of the "greenest" products you can work with. The cork is harvested from the cork oak. This is one of a few trees in the world where the nutrients move up the center of the tree and not the bark. By removing the bark the tree is left standing and allowed to grow for its life span of 250 years. Cork is dried (sun dried for 18 months is traditional), wine corks are harvested (90%-95% of cork = wine industry). The "waste" material is then sold and resold and sold again until even the last "cork dust" from the machines is gathered and sold once again. Cork is considered a "no waste" industy. Every scrap is used. Nasa, European Space agency, Boeing, etc all use cork in one way or another. Cork harvesting is a specialty occupation and is passed on from family member to family member. Higher than average wages are earned in areas where economies are slow or in recession (Portugal, Spain, Greece, Algeria, Morocco, etc). A cork forest is a wild space that is allowed to grow according to its own rhythm. Cork forests allow habitat for deer, boar, etc in parts of the world that have very few wild spaces left (Portugal and Spain). Cork has some of the highest thermal insulation ratings in the "natural" world. One cubic inch has an R-value of 3.14. That is equal to 1 cubic inch of styrofoam. The only 'natural' product that out performs cork (thermal insulation) = "felted wool" (as you would find in Mongolia wrapped around a yurt). To produce cork underlay the cork is ground up and boiled...the boiling produces enough "binder" that only a small amount of VOC free/Formaldehyde free adhesive is used. A cork floor is produced in the same way...but with a snick more adhesive (5-7%). Polyurethane is applied to the floor's finish = cork floor. Cork is a natural fire retardant. It does not "hold" a flame, nor does it spread a flame. It has the same fire rating as drywall. Should it catch fire (it would have to be horrific for cork to catch fire) there are no noxious fumes. Cork is the #2 ranked acoustic insulator on the market...only solid rubber out performs cork (not what I would call natural...it is made from recycled tires and smells like it is made from recycled tires). A cork floating floor + cork underlay can help insulate a room. Keeping that room 5-7 Celsius warmer in winter and 5-7 Celsius cooler in the summer.

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Reply to: Based on what I read in above post of ‘spiritflower’, what I know of friends having cottages in Ontario, as well as general geothermal knowledge in Canada (including geothermal training in lakes, rivers, ponds & wells), I would rule out using the river as a water source. First of all you’re up against the high cost and long process of permitting would have and probably you won’t have any of your money refunded if your project is refused. The other obstacle is that to use that source of water even if your property is on the water will involve at least 2 if not 3 levels of government approval, municipal, provincial and perhaps even federal. You might even have to hire a geologist, a hydrologist or perhaps even both. What I would suggest is that since you’re moving an existing home and building a new foundation that you might consider drilling borehole(s) within the foundation envelope even before the foundation is built. That way the ground loops will appear right inside your mechanical room with no further excavating or trenching - particularly if your property is built on or close to solid rock with relatively shallow ‘overburden’. I would save the money on solar panels that work at best only part time and put the money instead into a ground loop that is also a form of solar energy but works 24/7 365 days a year and will outlive both you and the house and likely have better resale value than solar. IMPO SR

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Reply to: Hi eddiep, there are many options for you house, and the scope of work is quite large, I'd suggest you get a professional architect or designer to consult about this project.

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Reply to: I built a 1506 sq ft ranch on 5 acres around 6 years ago. Went with a simple roof line, living areas all on one side (view), bedrooms to the back. For interest, I designed a few angled walls, so the kitchen/dining/living rooms are somewhat, but not entirely open to each other... Living room does have a moderate height cathedral ceiling. I have a basement (central open staircase) and hopefully will get the radiant floor heat hooked up this year to help with winter heating bills. Added a mudroom (animals), garage is unobtrusive (to us), but if I could do it over I would have angled it.... I'll try to dig up some pics, if you like....

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Reply to: I personally wouldn’t paint the brick. But if you do, I’d go with off-white or beige, not bright white. One example: https://www.beneathmyheart.net/2015/05/lowes-home-exterior-makeover-reveal/ Using cedar shakes: Opening the gable: Dark blue: https://ccandmike.com/cc-and-mike-modern-navy-and-cedar-ranch-style-remodel/ Various ideas: https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/curb-appeal/ranch-style-home-ideas/ New siding and columns: There are lots of directions you could go. What looks and styles do you like?

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Reply to: IMO the best part of that house is the brick and i also think the fastest way to devalue a house is to paint the brick. I think the worst part is the gable , this is a ranch no huge awkward gable needed . Nice MCM front door and a tone of landscping. I am not a lover of trying to make the exterior of a home something it is not. I love this landscaping for inspiration with a MCM house and it would be perfect with your lot. I would remove the gable and have a nice flat roof entry or at least flatten that gable .

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