Tribe.net. Local Connections http://tribes.tribe.net/quonsethome/thread/9ac4fb74-e62e-47bb-ae25-eb134584f604 2007-10-26T16:41:30Z 2006-08-29T14:07:39Z

<div>Hi all.. <br/>Im about to put up a quonset hut on the back of my property. I am just starting the process. My building inspector told me I need to have blueprints from Pioneer for both the building and the foundation. And Pioneer wants information on building codes, snow load, roof live load, and wind load. <br/>I'm going to see if the fire marshall has information on that. <br/> <br/>I just wanted to touch base here with those who have paved the way before me. Mine will be a ceramics, yoga, and performing art studio. <br/> <br/>salutations... Marcia</div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/quonsethome">Home Sweet Quonset</a> - 4 replies </div>

2006-08-29T14:07:39Z transfag1 http://tribes.tribe.net/quonsethome/thread/b57972c5-bee5-44d5-8866-8726fe19ddd3 2007-08-01T20:36:00Z 2006-05-26T23:11:41Z

<div>Just wanted to say THANKS for taking the time &amp; effort to share this wonderful info etc with others. I've spent a lot of time, over the past decade or so, looking for similar info online. Very hard to come by. This has been an inspiration and a big help to me. Thank you! :)</div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/quonsethome">Home Sweet Quonset</a> - 3 replies </div>

transfag1 2006-05-26T23:11:41Z Will http://tribes.tribe.net/quonsethome/thread/e2b7c6f1-3628-4fa7-8ad6-4a368f6d924b 2007-02-04T17:58:40Z 2006-03-14T17:41:09Z

<div>Dear Will and Michelle, <br/>NICE JOB!!!!! I have been toying with building a Quonset home for 4 years. Recently, after adding up what I pay in rent, I have been finalizing plans. My plans are far smaller and more modest than yours. Your curved and artistic framing is above and beyond anything I will ever attempt. You two should be really proud!!!! <br/> <br/>I am faced with many questions. If you would be willing to answer any of these I would greatly appreciate it. But you probably have a lot of homeowner responsibilities that are more important than my gazillion questions…so take your time. <br/> <br/>1- What product did you use for spray on insulation? What R value did you get? How hard was it to apply? <br/>2- How did you ventilate the roof and insulation? Or did you? What is required? Most info related to this is written for people who do not insulate and finish the arcs. <br/>3- Why did you use the base plate foundation instead of the old concrete trough? Any pros or cons? <br/>4- Most steel companies offer an end wall attachment that I believe amounts to a curved angle iron. Is this how you attached the end walls? can I get a photo? How did you seal this seam? <br/>5- Any suggestions for the framing of the endwalls? 2 or 1 section? How did you raise them into the arc? I am very intimidated by this although I have done some framing of traditional buildings in the past. That curve looks hard. <br/>6- It looks like you joined the wall at the lower 7.5” gutter part of the arc, could one do this in the upper seam part of the arc? <br/>7- Most of my literature suggests building the arcs on the ground and hoisting um up. Why did you build it from the sides to the middle as demonstrated in your photo? <br/>8- I noticed your “wood strapping” photos. Is “strapping” the term for this? How far are they spaced? What type and size lumber did you use? Do I see wire loops around the strapping, what are those for? What did you use to fasten this and seal the fasteners from rain? <br/>9- are you planning on putting up drywall or paneling or some other interior finishing? If so what? Are you planning an adding any additional framing to the “wood strapping” for support of the drywall(if that’s what you are using)? How are you calculating how much weight the arcs can hold (weight being insulation, fans, strapping, finishing etc) <br/>10- Do you plan on painting the roof? Why and with what? <br/>11- I have lived in A-frames. The heat went upstairs witch was only helpful when people slept in the loft. I know yours is a proper 2 story but you have an open ceiling. Any problems with heat? Any fans that you are adding and why? Can you give me any suggestions about airflow and heat management in an arc home? <br/>12- what is the “amazing place in Spokane Washington”? <br/> <br/>I learned a GREAT deal from your photos Thank you. If not an inconvenience. And if you have them. I would enjoy any closeup photos of your endwall framing, junctures of interior framing to the arc, joining of endwalls to the arc (especially the walls that move perpendicular to the ribs), photos of the strapping and plaster/drywall/finishing if you do so. Any photos of tricky things, things you are proud of, things you wish you would have known about before you started? <br/> <br/>Do you have any suggestions for those taking on a similar project? Mine will likely be several long 30x15' arcs. <br/> <br/>Nice Job!!! <br/>Thanks for the Photos they taught me a great deal, <br/>Pete <br/>1- insulation? <br/> <br/>We used Urethane Spray Foam insulation. It is sensational, and honestly, from our research, the only thing that really works for a Quonset, as you need something that will adhere to the metal ? to prevent any opportunity for condensation. We live in an area of serious temperature extremes so we had to put a considerable amount of $ there. We saw it as somewhat offsetting the inexpensive price of the metal building. We paid for 2? ? I think it was $3.50 per foot, but the guy gave us almost double that in many places, and sprayed our wood-framed endwalls for free. We had to have someone apply this stuff, as it must be strayed in through a special hose at over 100 degrees. It?s a very sophisticated system. The insulation adds incredible strength and has no off-gassing to be concerned with. <br/> <br/> <br/>2- ventilation? <br/>We didn?t have to be concerned with ventilation as there is no area inside the ceiling for air to condense. <br/> <br/>3- base plate <br/>We considered doing radiant heat and then decided against it and concrete floor. We?d both lived in lofts in the city with concrete floors ? not the best for your back, etc. <br/> <br/>4- angle iron seam? <br/>I think there is a picture of the brackets we used. I had them fabricated of light gauge steel and just attached one to the final arch every 10 feet or so. The brackets have a bolt pattern to match the holes in the arch (bolt pattern), and many holes to facilitate attaching to the wood-framed walls we built. We have about a one foot overhang so sealing is no big deal. We may add an additional arch (2? wide) in the future as we live in a high rain area some of the year. <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/>5- Any suggestions for the framing of the endwalls? That curve looks hard. <br/>The arch is completely self supporting, so you can?t really fuck up too badly with the framing. We started from the main floor, built our first floor framing (with 10? high ceilings), then added the loft level floor joists, etc., then continued up to the metal. We created a simple plywood template to make cutting the sheathing easier. It really has helped with the drywall work as well. As far as the actual framing meeting the curve of the Quonset, we just built these strange looking bits with vertical studs, connected by other 2X6?s which create triangular bits. You can pretty much piece them together bit by bit, as ? once again, they are NOT supporting, just something to attach your sheathing and drywall to. We had Very little building experience before we begun this project. Just some renovation work in the past. It?s a bit of head scratching at times, but not rocket science. Lots of sweat, tools and materials. We just built sections of wall on the floor, (or the loft floor) and then stood them up and attached them. Simple and easy. The little triangular (to meet the curve) we just mickey moused to fit ? as they are not structural. <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/>6- upper seam part of the arc? <br/>The reason we did this, was to take advantage of the flat portion of the profile. We used 2X6 construction. When you consider that the interior of your building will probably be a smooth ceiling, attached to the flat areas of this profile ? thus, that seemed to be the most logical way to attach the wood framing. <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/>7- and hoisting um up? <br/>This was the biggest struggle/frustration we faced. After all this info from the manufacturer telling us how easy it would be to assemble, we had 9 experienced builders here, pulleys, scaffolding, ladders, ropes, winches, etc. and COULD NOT get an assembled arch up. We had the strength and ?mechanical advantage?, but the thing kept flexing like a dragon ? it was really a trip. Our most depressing day. We didn?t know what we were going to do to get our building up. Even using a crane, because of the weight of the arch, you?d have to build a big-ass form in the shape of the arch to support it so it wouldn?t buckle when you began to raise it. We considered so many approaches and then a brainiac relative came up with this plan, where we hinged up each end of the arch, and then dropped in the top sections (there?s an overlap pattern you have to follow for drainage). We ended up putting up the whole building ourselves, just my sweetie and me, achieving about an arch a day. <br/> <br/> <br/>8- wood strapping/rain <br/>We bought rough 2X4 (actually 2? x 4?) and yes, we wired to the bolt/nut section inside. We attached the strapping (yes, I think that?s correct ? sometimes called furring strips ? but they are usually thinner) every 4? so we?d have enough to attach and curve an interior surface. The bolts all (4500 of them) have a rubber gasket attached. <br/> <br/>9- are you planning on putting up drywall <br/>We have begun attaching our interior in some areas. We are using 1/4? hardboard for starters. Then we?ll finish that with a variety of other things in order to give us different finishes. Lots of ideas, no really definite decisions yet. We have done the upstairs bathroom ceiling in hardboard, and may cover that with some sort of bamboo blind, to give more of a tree house look. We ended up with a VERY heavy gauge building ? 14 gauge, the biggest they make, in order to meet the local snow load requirements. This building is VERY strong. The insulation adds much greater strength, when applied, so we have no concerns about load-requirements on the inside. Just the nature of an arch is about the strongest architectural form. I?ll get around to adding some more pictures soon, detailing some of the progress re: interior work. <br/> <br/> <br/>10- Do you plan on painting the roof? <br/>No, we?ll just keep it metal. We thought about growing hops or something to make it blend in. Who knows. <br/> <br/>11- Can you give me any suggestions about airflow and heat management in an arc home? <br/>We have a 22? ceiling and our loft area is virtually open to below everywhere. We installed a large ceiling fan, and are very satisfied with our heating/circulation. It?s gets pretty hot here in the summer, and cold in the winter, so when we get curtains and blinds, it will be more constant. We have a stupid amount of windows (250 square feet just in our living room!) so that is where we have to deal with temperature issues. The building itself, with the insulation is amazingly well insulated. We put it 3 electric baseboards, but primarily heat with wood ? a high efficiency, zero clearance insert by RSF. <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/>12- what is the ?amazing place in Spokane Washington?? <br/>Torminos Sash &amp; Glass. 509 534 0537 Window &amp; door wholesaler (John/Lisa) <br/>This place rocks. They don?t have a website, I don?t even think they have an answering machine. They don?t use computers, but they?re a family owned business, around since 1952 and they have amazing deals on windows and doors of ALL Types. All new, but seriously discounted ? discontinued sizes, bulk purchasing, stuff that was ordered by a contractor and then became unwanted when someone changed their minds. They have 33 buildings full of stuff ? incredible. <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/>Anyway Pete, <br/> <br/>Thanks for your interest ? great questions which show how serious you are about this. <br/> <br/>There are a few things we?ve learned which you should definitely know before you begin. <br/>I also spent a great deal of time on the computer working out our floorplan, blueprint and other details. <br/> <br/>Good luck in your project plans. <br/> <br/>Will &amp; Michelle, <br/>Gray Creek, Canada</div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/quonsethome">Home Sweet Quonset</a> - 10 replies </div>

Will 2006-03-14T17:41:09Z Will http://tribes.tribe.net/quonsethome/thread/f7f4dd82-3676-47e6-b910-7068eb1b7b50 2006-04-08T05:16:56Z 2005-12-10T07:25:14Z

<div>Yes, my partner and I decided to create a unique living space inside a Quonset. <br/> <br/>We live in Canada, on a 10 acre piece of land, in a very small community(about 500 people) in a serene mountain/lake setting. <br/> <br/>We bought a 45" wide, 22' tall, 32' deep steel quonset and started from there. <br/> <br/>We broke ground in March 2004, and have been working on it constantly ever since. <br/> <br/>We had to dynamite parts of the (1km long, steep, 4X4) road, and have done virtually all the building ourselves: <br/>Concrete, framing, plumbing, electrical... <br/> <br/>Everything is done to local building codes with permits, etc. <br/> <br/> <br/>We started living here in June 2005, got our water running in August/05, hot water in November/05, and just got grid power at the end of November. <br/> <br/>We'll be keeping this tribe alive as our document, to share our experiences with friends, family, and interested surfers. <br/> <br/>Pictures will be updated on a regular basis. <br/> <br/>Feel free to contact us with questions and feedback. <br/> <br/>Ciao <br/> <br/>Will &amp; Michella <br/></div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/quonsethome">Home Sweet Quonset</a> - 6 replies </div>

Will 2005-12-10T07:25:14Z