Archive

Design Ideas – Fasteners

December 20, 2017
Martin
Fasteners

Stainless steel fasteners should be used for doors windows and exposed stuff. Stainless steel is not just one quality. Do you buy the “big box store” quality or professional quality considering we are in a highly corrosive environment. I learned that Tapcon screws are stainless steel, 410 stainless steel quality which gives these concrete screws superior rust resistance. Also I learned Fastenal fasteners are superior quality. Rebar can have coating to prevent rust and spalling. What is the difference in…

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Electrical Work within ICF Walls

December 20, 2017
Martin
Electrical

As we decide to build our house with ICF walls, floors and roof we need to think ahead as how to run electrical wiring. There is the typical electrical wiring and structured wiring. Structured wiring is a general term that refers to a whole-house network of audio, video, data, telephone, intercom, television, home automation, security alarms, cable and satellite hookups, ethernet and networking, security cameras, lighting, etc. With a house built of concrete, how electrical wiring is run is a…

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SEER Ratings and Savings

Design Ideas – Electrical and HVAC

December 20, 2017
Martin
Electrical

Electrical Work Electrical work: Installing a high quality, house wide, surge protector by the power company, or whole house surge protective devices will be important to protect electronic devices and computers. Central air/heating. AC units are measured in SEER ratings. A SEER rating is the ratio of the cooling output of an air conditioner over a typical cooling season, divided by the energy it consumed in watt-hours. Central air is mandatory. What size? If you have a two level house do…

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Plumbing

Design Ideas – Plumbing

December 20, 2017
Martin
Plumbing

PLUMBING As for water piping, we can use rigid plastic or CPVC.  CPVC  can handle temperatures up to 200 degrees F. CPVC pipe has comparable corrosion resistance to PVC pipe yet it is suitable for handling material at temperatures 40 to 60 degrees F higher than regular PVC. It is lightweight, easy to assemble and install. Job-site erection of a leakproof joint can be made in only a minute with solvent cement, or by threading. PEX piping is commonly used. It…

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