In part five of this build series, I go over how I built the floating deck for the courtyard, and I also discuss insulating the edges of the slab-on-grade foundation.
Building an Off-Grid House Part 4: One Year Progress Update (Ceiling Framing, Wall Framing, and More…)
It’s been one year since I started building our new home. In that time, I excavated the land, built retaining walls, built the slab-on-grade foundation, and framed up the walls and the ceiling. Here’s a detailed overview of the frame, plus a little extra stuff.
Colors That Reflect and Absorb Radiant Heat: Coolest to Hottest
My wife and I recently decided to purchase a few shipping containers to turn into a workshop. We haven’t bought the containers yet, but I’ve already started to think about possible color schemes. I’m thinking about colors this soon because I know the containers will need to be painted. The original colors we end up…
The Pros and Cons of Spray Foam Insulation (Open Cell and Closed Cell)
*If you don’t want to read the entire article, scroll to the bottom for a quick summary of the pros and cons* I’m going to be using a little bit of spray foam here and there in the new house I’m building, so I thought it might be a good time to talk about the…
How to Put Up Heavy Wall Frames by Yourself
I’m in the process of framing a house using 2×6 studs. If you’ve discovered this post through a search engine, I’m going to assume you just realized how heavy a 2×6 wall frame is – or even worse, a 2×8 – and you’re looking for a way to make it easier to erect. If, like…
Flat Top Grill (Griddle) vs. Traditional Grill: Pros and Cons
I’m in the process of building a new house, so my wife and I have been taking a lot of trips to Lowe’s lately. Whenever we’re there, we always spend some time window shopping grills, as well as other appliances, fantasizing about what we’re going to get for our new house. The last time we…
Building an Off-Grid House Part 3: Framing Exterior Walls
Eight months ago I started building a new house on my off-grid property. By the end of this month I’ll be finished with the exterior walls, so I thought now would be a good time for a video update. Check out the progress below…
Living Off-Grid in Arizona
I have been living off the grid in Arizona for exactly four years at the time of writing this, so I thought it would be a good time to talk about my experience, since I now have a lot of it. How Difficult Is it to Live Off the Grid in Arizona? This is sort…
Should Metal Roofing Screws Go Through the Valleys or the Peaks? Let’s Settle This Debate Once and for All
There’s a debate that’s been raging for decades, with no signs of slowing down: Should metal roofing screws go through the valleys of the corrugated metal or through the peaks? I’ve noticed those who prefer going through the peaks are vehement in their position. They insist there is no better way to do it, and…
Miter Joint vs. Butt Joint: Why I Don’t Like Miter Joints
Over the years, I’ve noticed myself getting more and more away from miter joints. In fact, just before writing this point, I was contemplating using a miter joint for a detail on our new house, but quickly rejected the thought. In this post, I’ll go in depth on why I think a simple butt joint…
