I did not have any detail on the plans of the house, as I did a deal with the architect. We got a cheaper rate from him and I had to effectively work out all the finer details.
I have consulted with many different 'tradie' specialist and installers over the last 10-11 years on this house and had a few tradies and a couple of 'builders' onsite for short periods.
The walls are all mine. So I have to take responsibility for not anticipating an age old problem with stone and concrete walls. Thought mine would be at 18"-20" thick on the larger exterior southern and western walls, thick enough to do the job.
As in gyro building and learning about stress risers etc, I,ve learnt more about rock wall building.
I'd probably reverse my lay-up process on a weather exposed wall, use a lime mortar and treat the conc blend back fill. I'd use fewer tradies, download more tech and spec sheets (did'nt have a PC back when I started). I would have paid more attention than I did, to builder mates I worked with over the years.
I would have started younger, when my back was strong. As I come to the end of this build, I find the work much harder, the detail more important. The laying of the coping stones will be the most physically demanding. Crazy.
The flashings and drip sills I have designed to help keep water off and out of the walls, once the copping stones are set.
There is a bloke over there in the USA name of Michael Olding (Cincinatti Sp?) here is his website link. I cant tell you just how much help he has
been in the last few weeks, with suggestions and advice based on his extensive experience.
http://www.cincihomepro.com/
The wife loves it, one day the kids will appreciate it and I get to go to 2 flyins with my Blue Monarch this year, Easter and June. Excellent.
eace:
Casement windows and glass panels go in next week.
Cheers,
Mitch