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Hi,
I’m hoping cromebuilder can help me out here. I am drawing plans with an experienced architect and have just been told that for my two storey block house I will have to have a 20 square concrete column (poured using rebar to support) and that “there is no option” but to have 8 cm of this column sticking out into each room and every corner. It would look like a prefab, which is exactly the look i’d like to avoid. Can this support structure be poured in a different design, ie 12 cm wide like the block we plan to use to build the walls, but much wider (within the wall) to compensate for the roof and second floor weight? I see a recent post from chromebuilder talking about using reinforced steel, instead, but didn’t quite understand. Pls help!Hi,
If you do not want to use a concrete column with rebar inside for reinforcement, an alternative would be to use a steel I-Beam (the size of it) would have to be determined by an eng. I’m not sure how much support this column /beam must sustain. The steel column would be smaller than the concrete column alternative but would prob. be more expensive. You could then frame in around it and no one would even know it’s there.
Regards,
Daisy
Daisy offered excellent advice. The calculations need to be done by a structural engineer. While you are incorporating the steel support columns, you may want to consider building the entire second floor from steel and finishing the exterior with Durock and and exterior coatings of Basecoat. NOTE: Do not allow anyone to talk you into using another exterior finishing system. The others, currently being used now in CR, are failing and will end up costing you a bundle to maintain. Good luck!
I have a purchased a lot down by Playa Conchal that has a metal frame erected on it. I am a builder in the midwest (USA) I have plans for the house that call for a hard board siding. I have used hardboard for underlayment in tile work but not for exterior walls. I would like to know more about the best way to do this so my CR home will last without a lot of trouble later on. Who do you suggest that I contact for more info on this type of building?
With over 25 years of construction experience in the USA and Costa Rica, I recommend the following materials and installation procedures for exterior finishes when constructing steel or wood stud structures.
•Vapor barrier, such as TYVEK
•Insulation, such as PRODEX
•USG brand DUROCK, when the desired exterior finish coating is synthetic stucco
•USG brand FIBEROCK or GP brand DensGlass, when the desired exterior finish is a product such as traditional stucco on metal lath, brick veneer or other exterior substrates.NOTES:
1. When applying a synthetic stucco finish coating on Durock, always use BASE COAT by Formulated Solutions, as the exterior stucco coating. All other products will crack, leak and become maintenance nightmares.
2. Never use the yellow laminates of DensGlass for vertical sheathing when a synthetic stucco coating is specified as the exterior finish.
3. Some of these building components will require advance ordering, but are available in most building suppliers throughout Costa Rica.
4. It is very important to have previous hands-on experience with these products or obtain an experienced builder who understands these products proprietary application techniques.
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