Mother Earth News Article Apr/May 09| For Less Than $35K, We Built Our Own Home
 

For Less Than $35K, We Built Our Own Home
By Bill Hakanson

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Moder...nset-Home.aspx

Since Mother Earth News was first published back in 1970, we�ve dreamed of improving the quality of our lives and being self-sufficient. And after spending most of our careers in the city, we finally got our chance in 2005 when 13 acres in northwest Pennsylvania � 10 of which were once part of a cornfield � came our way.

Our first challenge was to erect a building we could live in during the spring, summer and fall, and store our garden equipment in during the winter months. Eventually we expect to live in Pennsylvania year-round, but for now we enjoy exploring the South during the winters, leaving Pennsylvania after the harvest and returning in time for spring planting.

The corrugated arch-style building that we used is based on a British design dating back to World War I. In the United States, this style building was first manufactured on Quonset Point in Rhode Island during World War II in response to the need for lightweight, portable buildings that could be assembled without skilled labor.

The source of our 40-foot-by-40-foot building was SteelMaster, a company founded in 1982. Our building, an S Model, was manufactured out of 22-gauge Galvalume steel. One of the features I like about this type of building is the absence of posts and beams. The corrugated, arched wall design is self-supporting. The result is one large 40-foot-by-40-foot open square with an 18-foot peak.

To withstand wind and weather and secure the 30-year warranty, these steel buildings must be attached to the earth, either by narrow concrete footers along the base of both sides of the structure, block or wood walls erected to support the structure, or a concrete slab the full width and length of the building.

We chose to install a full slab featuring an 8-inch-by-12-inch perimeter concrete beam. This is called a �floating� slab, as it sits on a foot of gravel. Our building is situated on a slope, so water can escape from under the concrete slab should any get underneath. Inside the perimeter beam, the concrete is the standard 6 inches thick. SteelMaster provides approved engineering drawings customized to your needs, and they research and ensure compliance with all applicable codes.

Putting up the House

The components of the building were delivered on three pallets. Looking at the small load, I couldn�t believe it was all there: Not counting the end walls, the arched structure involved bolting together 160 panels, each approximately 2-feet-by-8-feet in size. More than 3,000 nuts and bolts were required.

I originally thought I would erect the building myself, with the help of friends who volunteered. I quickly realized this project would take a more concentrated effort. Under a move-out/move-in deadline, I doubted I could meet my schedule with a weekend-warrior workforce..............

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Moder...nset-Home.aspx

Re: Mother Earth News Article Apr/May 09| For Less Than $35K, We Built Our Own Home
 

Those type buildings are fairly cheap, though one problem with them is insulating....you have to use some type of spray-on foam on the inside to prevent condensation raining down on you from the inside. Also, window and door openings are pretty much limited to end walls....tough to work something in the deep corrugations of the sides/roof.

And then, there is, of course, the typical "mother earth methods" applied, as I call them.....no doubt, there are quite a few in this house....one mention was:

"In my opinion, the finishing work done in American construction can be overly expensive and time consuming. One way to minimize this is to apply an open joist system for the second floor. While I like the look of the open joists, they’re not intended to be left exposed, as they’re “rough” cut, with excess glue and machine cutting marks exposed. To improve the look, I sprayed a diluted drywall compound onto all visible joist surfaces, and finished by spraying white paint over the joint compound."

Which is fine is you don't need insulation between floors ( as in a true straight walled second story, which they don't have here ) or listening to the echo of footsteps from above, or mind the fact that drywall compound is likely to flake off over the next 20 years.......inexperience sometimes leads to more work down the road......been there and done that.......

Re: Mother Earth News Article Apr/May 09| For Less Than $35K, We Built Our Own Home
 

I saw that article when it came out and thought it might be an option for my stalled relocation. I'm just wondering about the lifespan of one of these buildings.

Re: Mother Earth News Article Apr/May 09| For Less Than $35K, We Built Our Own Home
 

Every building choice has pluses and minuses.

Re: Mother Earth News Article Apr/May 09| For Less Than $35K, We Built Our Own Home
 

I have seen articles on houses that cost as little as $500. The problem is not the cost of the house, it's your expectations. FHA financing has raised people's expectations to ridiculous levels. When I was a kid in the 50s half the houses in town would not be considered fit for chicken coops now. Outside of town, houses were even more basic, often being constructed entirely with found materials. Families lived in these hovels and raised honest hard working citizens.

I'll leave it to you to assess the differences now.

Re: Mother Earth News Article Apr/May 09| For Less Than $35K, We Built Our Own Home
 

I completley agree. And I bet I'm much younger than you saul. :tongue_ma:

The house I grew up in was in the poor area of town, today, its even poorer. It was small, but I never noticed as a kid. My parents didnt seem either. Wasnt until we moved south when i was getting close to my teens we got a much bigger(but older) house that was built in the 60's.

I now live in a place somewhere between the two. I look at my brother, who had a very nice town home, got screwed on a 500,000$ house on a an acre out west of town. The house takes up most of the lot. Its the epitome of a mcmansion and I just sit here going :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

They look down on smaller houses liek you said, like they arent fit for chicken coops. My wife and I look at those coops and think they would be perfect for us, if they have enough land.

Re: Mother Earth News Article Apr/May 09| For Less Than $35K, We Built Our Own Home
 

I wish they would have one on a complete house, instead of an uninsulated one you can't live in year round, and that required a driveway worth of timber just to keep it warm enough to stay in when its 40 outside.

Re: Mother Earth News Article Apr/May 09| For Less Than $35K, We Built Our Own Home
 

I helped my brother put up one of those Steel Master buildings. 40x30.

Seven of us family members got it put up and bolted together in 3 weekends using improvised pulleys and rope on scaffolding to raise and attach one section at a time.

It was fun, but none of us wanna do it again.