not_ally
Dec 9, 2004, 8:40 PM
Post #1 of 11
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Hi all,
Figured that with all my questions, now that I actually have some potentially useful information I should post it. So after my questions to all and sundry regarding the use of foam panel construction in Mexico (specifically in San Miguel de Allende), I decided to go ahead and do it, for at least a good chunk of the project. The house I bought was originally a small one story structure with low ceilings and a little second story addition which housed a bedroom. I ended up demo-ing everything except the walls of the first floor. I also tore out everything inside the structure, so basically ended up with a four walled shell. Given the existing walls, my contractor and I decided to do a mix of materials, as follows:
-- New stand-alone casita, 2BR/1.5 bath, two stories, all of foam panels.
-- Existing house/shell: Built up existing exterior walls on first floor to 11", with brick/mortar, also used brick/mortar on new second floor exterior walls. Used foam panel for staircase to second floor, first floor ceiling/second story floor, and all interior walls.
We are also using the panels for the wall at the front of the lot, and construction of many of the interior features including (inter alia) some pillars, built-in bookcases, kitchen counters (most of these will be tiled over though), tub and shower enclosures (similarly will be tiled), etc.
My contractor has experience building with these panels, and is the licensed distributor for the co. in this area. The company also sent down an engineer who reviewed the plans and trained the local crew for a couple of days before work with the panels began (they are all now "certified" to work with the panels).
So far I have been delighted by the speed and relative ease with which things have gone, especially with the panels. Still have a long way to go, and are about two months away from finish work, so it'll be a while before I can verify that everything will be ok in that respect (the company says it's just like building with anything else, you can use any kind of finishing materials you want.) If the project ends the way it's been so far, I will definitely use the foam for other building projects that I'm planning. Only difference is I think I'll just buy raw land and use all foam panel construction - the biggest slowdowns have come in the parts when we're doing the traditional construction or trying to integrate the two.
Cost: @$30.00 per sq. foot as per my contractor, depending of course on what kind of finishes you want.
Regulatory aspects/permits: No issue, we got our permit without any problem. The house is not in El Centro, the historical district (where building is intensely regulated); don't know if it would be different there.
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"The first question I ask myself when something doesn't seem to be beautiful is why do I think it's not beautiful. And very shortly I discover there is no reason." John Cage
(This post was edited by not_ally on Dec 9, 2004, 8:45 PM)
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