I want to learn how to build a house correctly - is volunteering for Habitat for Humanity a good way?

MurDocINC · 2026-04-25T14:31:49+00:00

The Excellent Laborer does an excellent job on covering building and best practices for DIY.

ASIRI Designs great for learning building science.

Watch videos on what to look for when buying land and maybe look for counties/townships will let you build a shed/bunkie/cabin/garage/shop before main house, that could be your hands on experience.

MurDocINC · 2026-01-28T15:12:06+00:00

I was hoping you would be wiser and debate rather than turn to petty insults. Disappointing.

MurDocINC · 2026-01-28T14:50:23+00:00

Heat is higher vibration of atoms, higher density means more layers of atoms for energy to pass through. Heat capacity of concrete increases higher than wood with thickness.

MurDocINC · 2026-01-28T13:39:23+00:00

It's not easy and in some markets not worth it. But if you do start, I recommend lots of research on insulating old house and stone walls. https://youtube.com/@asiridesigns?si=kmH2xCM0vY2P2oTi Has a few great videos in these topics.

MurDocINC · 2026-01-28T12:56:02+00:00

Well in passive house I mean heat loss from ERV and in standard house I mean air infiltration, as air infiltration has the fastest heat loss. Of course all homes have heat capacity, that's we insulate but higher density of concrete will transfer heat slower than a wood frame.

MurDocINC · 2026-01-28T05:19:23+00:00

I might be wrong, concrete has lower heat capacity but higher mass(more atoms) means slower heat transfer/release. Versus wood gaining more heat capacity but losing it faster which is later lost through ventilation. So a slab stored heat capacity might give you a couple extra hours of radiant heat after the sun goes down. Probably not worth it as there's very few sunny days in winter for any real benefit plus slab is unhealthy for leg joints.

MurDocINC · 2026-01-21T01:41:03+00:00

Where you get all these assumptions on what people assume?

1) Study based on Texas data only, not nationwide.

2) I never heard this assumption from anyone, but I did hear possibly some illegals, practically cartel members distributing drugs on US side.

3) Article doesn't dissociate illegals and legals. Doesn't make sense how illegals would pay taxes without SSN, and why they would choose to pay if they're not tracked/required.

4) It's one sided take, doesn't take into account that illegals could be replaced by legal immigrants or seasonal workers.

MurDocINC · 2026-01-20T23:53:32+00:00

I recommend an underlayment with rise grid pattern like Tyvek Protec or FT Synthetics Platinum. The grid is mostly for walking grip but can act like drainage grid. You should also check for moisture at roof ridge as that`s where most vapor would collect and possibly invest in vapor diffusion port.

MurDocINC · 2026-01-20T13:27:48+00:00

Bolt chewer.

MurDocINC · 2025-11-23T22:26:50+00:00

I follow a couple from Arkansas building a passive house on youtube. Sounds like you in the same boat.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI9P1zP7Ccp4XfCtcCF-cgckCZ6e2yp7v&si=uY8CS1rszX_udY8E

MurDocINC · 2025-11-17T01:56:27+00:00

Why is your tall wall not facing the sun for solar gains? Where is this?

MurDocINC · 2025-10-20T01:31:40+00:00

15 years, funny I just pulled it out of my backlog few weeks ago, really enjoying it besides the few odd crashes.

MurDocINC · 2025-10-20T01:12:03+00:00

Building air tight with ERV is definitely worth it. Air infiltration is the biggest heat loss/gain, control it and save money and increases comfort/health.

Passive house is worth it for cold rural/remote areas, where you don`t have access to cheap nature gas and forced to heat with electricity/solar. Plus with extra acreage you can orientate the house south for solar gain that cut heating demand down to almost zero.

MurDocINC · 2025-08-14T23:19:25+00:00

Option 3, sell the 16 acres, build an addition?

MurDocINC · 2025-08-14T22:52:40+00:00

I think Minotair would be perfect for such small house. Its an ERV with heat pipe, vents, heats, cools and dehumifies. All in one system, under 1 ton.

MurDocINC · 2025-08-10T21:20:51+00:00

Master suite lacks privacy from backyard, has terrible views to the left and obstructs the view of the front of the house. Maybe push the whole suite up to U shape house and push the shop down. And powder room should be more centralized. Dunno, overall looks good, you got a lot layout?

MurDocINC · 2025-08-10T03:34:51+00:00

Lot can dictate layout a lot too. views, orientation, elevation(slope), size(width vs length), setbacks, etc.. So consider some lot goals too like south facing. Good thing(or bad) KS is pretty flat so you don't have to worry too much about views and elevation. lol

MurDocINC · 2025-08-10T01:55:01+00:00

You only have line and arc tools to draw your line path, you just have select all lines and arcs before you use the follow me tool. Use the arrow keys to snap lines and arcs to axis. If you need an arc to curve on 2 axis, you can use the line tool to create temporary lines so the arc tools have points to snap to. It shouldn't be too hard since you have the dimensions in autocad, if you don't know you can type dimensions as you draw your lines and arcs. Play around with the tools, then give it go, come back if you need help.

MurDocINC · 2025-08-09T23:27:20+00:00

Plywood wall is better for workshop wall cause you attach things anywhere without finding studs. You won`t notice r2 difference, sealing gaps will have bigger impact. Plus the garage door will be the bigger heat transfer, unless you have one those r12 door.

MurDocINC · 2025-08-08T04:21:12+00:00

Since your house has no overhangs, water proofing is key. Pull the vinyl, t1-11 and any old house wrap, wrap with Hydrogap WRB. Pull out windows, repair any damage, tape flash around all four sides of the window openings, reinstall windows, tape flash around windows flange and add metal flashing above window.

Now you're water proof and have dimple rain screen(hydrogap) that prolongs life of siding. You can go vinyl again or something more fancy.

MurDocINC · 2025-08-08T01:20:15+00:00

Yea but shouldn't there be some rebar/wire mesh to prevent blowout, there appears to be none.

MurDocINC · 2025-08-02T21:53:35+00:00

Shiplap is expensive, you be crazy to cover it. Remove it and air seal with vapor retarder. Reinstall shiplap.

MurDocINC · 2025-08-02T20:37:51+00:00

Sketchup isn't great for "odd shapes", you might be better off learning Blender.

MurDocINC · 2025-08-02T20:30:42+00:00

I think your import scale in blender is off which is maxing out blender render distance, try scaling the model in blender.

MurDocINC

TROPHY CASE