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August 19, 2011 |
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We are DIYing our moms a Duplex in Alaska! Check out our progress so far as we owner build a home, step by step. Read the Momplex blog here.
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posted by Ana White
Momplex Stats
Money Spent So Far:
$18000 + Cost of Property
Time Spent So Far:
400 Hours + Tons of Planning What about windows and doors?
Early Day
We had to call it a day the other day after getting just the first two rows of ARXX blocks up. As eager as we all were to see more rows go up, up here on this windy hill, none of us wanted to see the blocks flying through the air, probably landing in our yard a mile away.
Pattern Set
Getting the first two rows up is actually a major accomplishment because you create the pattern for the entire home. You want the seams all staggered in the same spots, so the blocks interlock in the best positions and your fastening strips (the black lines) are all lined up. That way when you go to put siding and drywall up, you know exactly where the fastening strips are, and can just snap a line and go.
Doors and Windows
But even at the first two rows, we started getting into the next step of building with ARXX blocks - doors and windows.
You all know it's entirely possible, but many of you are wondering exactly how windows and doors are put in. And I for one have been a little nervous about how easy putting windows and doors in is going to be. We've got quite a few openings, some quite large. And then there's the question of how do you pour concrete around windows or second story doors.
There are all very valid questions, but fortunately, ARXX has considered everything and has simple solutions.
Window Buck Options
ARXX actually sells vinyl window bucks that you can fit to any window size. Or you can just build your own out of wood. We decided to frame our window bucks out of wood.
Plywood Framing
You can use a variety of wood or plywood types, but on the recommendation of Phil for our Alaska climate, we choose 1 1/8" plywood. With the 1 1/8" edges, we'll have something to bite into when we attach window frame trim. Plywood was choosen because in Alaska, this window is going to see 68 degrees on the insides, and possibly 68 degrees below on the outsides at the same time.
You know all about this step - ripping plywood down to widths. We ripped the plywood down to the same width as the ARXX Blocks - 11 1/2" wide.
Building the Window Bucks
It's simply a giant box, with the interior dimensions the size of the window rough openings, nailed together. One thing to note, you will want to leave an extra 1/2" on the bottom.
Considering Concrete Pour
The bottoms of window bucks are treated 2x4s. You pour concrete between them, screed the top, place foam in the gap and top it with a piece of 1/2" plywood. Then you can continue with your pour without concrete leaking out of your window sills.
Foam
Yes, I did say foam. All you do is rip it on the table saw (this is my trusty $89 table saw that works just fine). We are ripping this foam into 6" widths - the width of the concrete chamber.
Then this handsome guy nails the foam to the sides of the window bucks (or in this case, door buck). In 5-4-3-2-1 second he's going to say "Honey, can you hold the other end . . . "
The foam requires these special nails with large square washers to keep the foam on nice and tight without damaging it.
Placing Windows
The windows are then placed in their permanent positions.
And the foam fits between the ARXX blocks foam just right.
And the Blocks Go On
And more ARXX blocks are put up around the windows. Notice we've added rebar around all window openings - this is per recommendations from our structural engineer.
We've also added a cross brace to keep the windows square.
Basement floor windows are done. That wasn't so bad, was it?
And the doors too. Come on in!
We are thrilled to be working with ARXX blocks to build the Momplex. To learn more about ARXX, you can visit their extensive website here. Thanks ARXX!
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Looking good! I'm curious;
Looking good! I'm curious; will the interior walls be framed in with arxx blocks as well or will you use stick framing for that part?
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Interior Walls
The real benefit of the ARXX blocks is that it's five steps in one - structure, insulation, sound proofing, vapor barrier and fastening system. But for interior walls, you won't need the insulation, sound proofing and vapor barrier so we'll be stick framing those walls. The center walls between each Mom's unit will be insulated and sound proofed, but since we'll be running much of the plumbing and electrical in it, will stick to sticks.
Can't wait to go through this entire process step by step! Thank you so much for reading and being a part of it. It's been very encouraging and your comments have kept us motivated! Thank you!
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I am loving reading your
I am loving reading your updates about the house building! It's a dream of mine to build our own house, but as I'm still figuring out how to build bookshelves and such... it might be awhile before I get there! In the meantime, I'll keep following along with the Momplex ;)
One question though... Is ARXX giving you any sort of discount on materials or payment for the amount of publicity you're giving them?
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Hi Alyssa, thank you and
Hi Alyssa, thank you and thank you for reading. We find that your comments are keeping us motivated and inspired - you are helping in more ways than you may know!
When we went wall shopping http://ana-white.com/2011/08/momplex/wall-shopping we really weighed all the options for building, and then when we choose an option, we weighed the different suppliers for ICFs. We choose ARXX because we felt like it was a complete system that was well thought out, and the service and support beyond anything we'd ever seen before for building materials. After choosing ARXX, we asked if they would possibly work with us, and are thrilled to have them on board. I can tell you this - the price point for anyone to build with ARXX is very reasonable and competitive with other building methods, and will likely save you significantly on heating and cooling costs in the future.
Thank you so much for reading - your encouragement and just knowing that readers are waiting to see our progress is keeping us excited about this massive DIY project. Truly, thank you!
So does the listed money
So does the listed money spent at the top of your post reflect the discount? My husband and I are thinking about building with ICFs, and I'm keeping a close eye on all your posts on the topic!
I had trouble understanding what you meant when I read your description at first, but your pictures were perfect! Thanks for sharing so much detail about the process.
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Hi Ulrike, we are trying to
Hi Ulrike, we are trying to keep the listed cost to list prices. I can tell you that the ARXX blocks are very reasonable, and with most houses, the bulk of your budget is going to labor, not materials. With these ICFs, most anyone who has the ambition and determination can DIY these - and that's where you are going to see big money savings!
Thank you for reading - you are keeping us inspired - and for commenting - letting me know that yes, I should be taking sooooo many pictures. I've shared this before, I can't find a photo of us working on our current house. How sad is that? Thank you for helping us not repeat that mistake!
Yes, yes! Pictures are
Yes, yes! Pictures are wonderful! I remember reading the Little House books when I was a kid, and Laura would go into so much detail about how Pa built this house or that piece of furniture, and I could never visualize any of it. Photos and diagrams are totally my friend. I love yours!
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Thank you for bringing back
Thank you for bringing back such wonderful memories of reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books!
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ICF Love!!
We are just getting ready to build our new ICF home (using FOX Blocks) and not being the Construction savvy portion of our partnership I have been wondering how this was all going to work. I am glued to your coverage and thrilled to see it all happen before we get started. Now I know what to expect and how it will all unfold.
Thanks so much for your detailed coverage, its so appreciated not mention just cool to watch it go up.
Hannah
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posted by Bagelpower | on Fri, 2011-08-19 14:08
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YAY! You are going to love
YAY! You are going to love the ICF building process! I was just thinking, we should do a post where readers share their building stories! Or a series, wouldn't that be fun?
And thank you for reading - we are finding ourselves more and more looking to you to keep us motivated and inspired! Thank you!
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Filming the Process
Why aren't you filming this whole process? I would totally get into a show, on HGTV or DIY, that documented this whole thing. There was a show on HGTV with Bryan Bauemler, called House of Bryan, where they showed him building his dream home.
That's too bad that HGTV didn't jump on board to get this into production.
I am enjoying the blog updates though, don't get me wrong. It's just my A.D.D. riddled self finds it hard to read more and more these days.
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We would have loved to have
We would have loved to have filmed this whole process for a TV show, but the reality is this is just our family building the Momplex, and it's going to take months if not years to fully complete - in other words, there's no midnight crew making things happen faster. So it would have been very expensive to film up here in Alaska, over such a long period of time.
I keep meaning to do more video, do more interviews with everyone on site, but we find we've got a full plate just building, taking care of kids, and blogging. Perhaps after the roof is on and we aren't so pressed for time, I'll add more video.
On another note, building junkies we are, we definitely plan to build again, and having this blog series (and comments from readers like you saying yes I'd watch) could be just what is needed to get a network to make the investment. It would be such a fantastic journey to build a remote cabin in Alaska the DIY way!
Thanks for commenting! You are keeping us going!
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Why wouldn't HGTV film this?
TV studios will have the money and people would definitely watch. You and your family are amazing and the projects you build are creative and spectacular, plus you are in Alaska and your back story is impressive too. I know I would watch your show or shows, one for the duplex and maybe another for any projects you may have, like the vanity step stool. Genius!! Keep up the great work and I do hope HGTV or DIY will contact you and offer you a show. Best of luck!
posted by mfdellinger | on Sun, 2011-08-21 10:27
I am loving this. It is so
I am loving this. It is so interesting to watch and learn from you building your house. Nifty on how the cement is poured through the window. I am almost disappointing when I see your latest post is on furniture building and not on your house progress. You are one talented lady!
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Totally agree!!!
You need to be HGTV'd! And not the new show like you need to be the star of some show! Seriously you're such an inspiration...I never thought I would be building anything or have my husband love building so much he doesn't want me to even work on ANYTHING without him!
I can't believe how quickly it's going up!!
Live, Laugh, and Love...then laugh some more!
Avid-ish blogger you're welcome to subscribe... http://whatthegraham.com
Twitter addict... twitter.com/whatthegraham
posted by jamigraham | on Fri, 2011-08-19 16:30
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This is great!
We've been debating using AAC (Aerated Autoclaved Concrete) versus ICF and this series will help us make the decision.
And Grace is working hard. She's so cute!
posted by Tsu Dho Nimh | on Fri, 2011-08-19 16:59
Ana, this is a blast reading
Ana, this is a blast reading this! Thanks for documenting it! It's bringing out the kid in me who used to build elaborate cardboard forts. Somehow I'm feeling that's probably not the same thing.... :)
Hi. I am loving reading these
Hi. I am loving reading these updates! We are looking into building a double garage with an apartment for my father to live in beside our house, just wondering how much you anticipate your Momplex is going to cost in the end?
Looking Good!
We are building a house ourselves right now also, and we used the Build Block ICF's and loved them. They were really easy for the guys to put up. I think our foundation was up in about an hour, and this was the first time any of them had used them. Good luck, it's looking great!
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So much fun!!!!!
I just wanted to let you know how much I love these posts! I'm so happy to hear WE are keeping YOU GUYS motivated. Every time you write a new Momplex post, I get so excited to read it! Love the shots of Grace helping! So cute!
I would definitely watch a DIY show!!! :)
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Jennifer, thank you! I
Jennifer, thank you! I caught my husband tonight, coming straight home from a long day of working on the Momplex, and does he turn sports on? No way. He goes and reads YOUR comments! He's going to be so mad at me for writing this, but I wanted you to know, you reading and encouraging us is have a real positive affect on us! Thank you so much!
private
I am overjoyed to watch these three generations work on this wonderful project, especially since they are my direct offspring. I see the goodness and hard work that my husband demonstrated during his lifetime. Ana, thanks for your strength and vision besides hard work. And it is lovely to see Gracie become an important part of the crew, Gracie who is one of my own dear great-grandchildren. As I grow older it is easy to be bored and watching and following your project keeps me in touch with the living. I love that Patty too, a wonderful example of loved and goodness and concern for others. Love, Grandma.
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Hi Grandma White, I never had
Hi Grandma White, I never had the chance to meet Grace's Great Grandpa White, but your comment really touched me - how one person's hard work and goodness is still very much alive and thriving four generations later. Love, Grace, Ana and Jacob
Please keep up the photos and
Please keep up the photos and blog about the mompost. I am addicted. You make it look so easy to build a house from scratch. Tell your whole family how much your readers are enjoying the process. Thank you for taking the time to capture the photos,download them and write about the whole adventure. Love it.
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Doorway foundation vapor seal
I love following your progress. I'm going to be doing an addition in a few years and I think you've convinced me to use ARXX (which I was already considering but wasn't sure about).
I have a question about your setup though; it looks like the plywood for the door frame is sitting on the footings; is there anything to prevent water from wicking up through the footings into the doorframe?
Thanks Ana!
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Hi Obfuscode, after we do the
Hi Obfuscode, after we do the wall pour, the doorways get cut up to the top of the finished slab, so the wood doesn't permanently extend to the footings, if that makes sense. Then when we pour the slab, it covers the part that was cut up. We'll be going through this in more detail when we pour the slab.
And I have to say, you don't miss much, do you? I had to call the Ram himself in to answer this question.
You are going to be thrilled with ARXX, the product, support and service are unlike anything I've every seen in construction. Good luck with your addition! Ana
I am loving these posts! We
I am loving these posts! We are new to Alaska, and while renting right now, we would like to build a house possibly as early as next year. We would like to do as much as we can ourselves and be as energy efficient as possible. So this series came along at a great time and gave us some new things to consider. Do you possibly have a link for your local (Alaska) ARXX dealer? I know there is a link to the ARXX home page but did not know if the local guy had a link as well. Thanks!
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Hi and welcome to Alaska! I
Hi and welcome to Alaska! I am so glad you found our site and are a part of our ARXX build! We are truly thrilled with the process so far. A big part of our positive experience with ARXX is working with Phil, here in Fairbanks. He has gone above and beyond our expectations - has visited our site now three different times, despite it being 100 miles away! He's very passionate and knowledgeable, and really sets you up for success. As you can tell, I can't speak highly enough of him and our experience so far.
I attached a photo of Phil's truck if you are looking for the number. Good luck, we'd be happy to have you come check out the Momplex as well!
Thanks! I would love to
Thanks! I would love to check it out if we are able to make it up to that area before the snow starts flying. We are in Anchorage and I have not been very far north yet. Keep up the good work. You are truly inspiring!
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