Custom Home - Must Haves?

[pafollower44]

That's interesting. We insulate under our slabs all the time but I've never seen anybody insulate under the footer.

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[Yellowknife]

That's interesting. We insulate under our slabs all the time but I've never seen anybody insulate under the footer.

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The swedes (and other Scandinavian counties) use a version of the mono-slab I've heard called the "Swedish Plate Foundation". Its also full floating and substitutes in far more foam under the slab and footer than even I used. 40 psi EPS foam we used under the footer is stronger than the soil it sits on... so if prepped right, load bearing isn't an issue.

Images borrowed off the internet.





On the custom home topic, the big one for me was eliminating stairs. I had the soils and space for a single story house, so I went for it. Would rather walk a few steps down a hall than 13+ steps up and down stairs. It also simplified the radiant heating system tremendously.

Also ended up adding far more than the standard number of closets. As it turns out... that's where I broke my sq footage budget.

 

[DenverCountryBoy]

The swedes (and other Scandinavian counties) use a version of the mono-slab I've heard called the "Swedish Plate Foundation". Its also full floating and substitutes in far more foam under the slab and footer than even I used. 40 psi EPS foam we used under the footer is stronger than the soil it sits on... so if prepped right, load bearing isn't an issue.

Images borrowed off the internet.

View attachment 335016

View attachment 335017

On the custom home topic, the big one for me was eliminating stairs. I had the soils and space for a single story house, so I went for it. Would rather walk a few steps down a hall than 13+ steps up and down stairs. It also simplified the radiant heating system tremendously.

Also ended up adding far more than the standard number of closets. As it turns out... that's where I broke my sq footage budget.

Will you be adding insulation to the ground around the perimeter to complete the shallow frost proof foundation?

 

[Yellowknife]

Will you be adding insulation to the ground around the perimeter to complete the shallow frost proof foundation?

Yes. Not shown, but perimeter insulation is done and buried.

It’s also built on very non-frost susceptible soil, which gives me an extra layer of protection.

 

[h2so4]

Drains inside the garage. No more puddles or worrying about snow falling off the vehicles.

 

[GreenNDark Timber]

Mudroom with lockers (with doors) for each family member. The doors are a must, I have 4 kids and while everything looks neat in the picture, I can promise you there's a disaster behind each of those 4 doors on the left. The doors keep me from having to look at it. I also put pull out drawers on the bottom for shoes, baskets on the top for gloves, hats, etc and outlets inside each locker so everyone can charge their devices.

 

[Pinewood]

The swedes (and other Scandinavian counties) use a version of the mono-slab I've heard called the "Swedish Plate Foundation". Its also full floating and substitutes in far more foam under the slab and footer than even I used. 40 psi EPS foam we used under the footer is stronger than the soil it sits on... so if prepped right, load bearing isn't an issue.

Images borrowed off the internet.

View attachment 335016

View attachment 335017

On the custom home topic, the big one for me was eliminating stairs. I had the soils and space for a single story house, so I went for it. Would rather walk a few steps down a hall than 13+ steps up and down stairs. It also simplified the radiant heating system tremendously.

Also ended up adding far more than the standard number of closets. As it turns out... that's where I broke my sq footage budget.

Our building code in Western Canada only permits these foundations on garages under 600 sq.ft. Our conventional foundation is a minimum 2' frost wall on an 18" footing. The wall is clad with EPS and the slab has eps under for a 100% thermal break. My one critique of the mono slab is the lack of direct "focus" of the weight of the exterior walls. In a wall/footing system the weight in directed in equal amounts from the top corners of each wall to the corners of each footing, into the earth.

No critique of your job meant and it looks like great work being done! Enjoy the framing process.

 

[skyfreek60]

Heated flooring in the bathrooms is legit. Wife's aunt and uncle own a condo in Montana that we stay at frequently. Heated flooring in their bathrooms and kitchen. Pretty nice and I'd love to install them in our home when we eventually build.

My grandfather accomplished this many many years ago by running his hot water pipes directly under the brick kitchen floor..... so awesome in the winter!

 

[Button]

Bunker/compound with auxiliary power, plumbing, AC, hepa filtered air with years worths of food, water, fuels, medicine, artillery, books, tools, hydroponic system with plenty of lights to grow veggies, a still for alcohol(antiseptic & $), and of course true friends(community).

pie graft is what’s causing loss of habitat/animals, literally saved that photo from a hunter education course.

Y’all get where this watery rock is sailing.

 

[dzlfarmboy]

Can't wait to enjoy my radiant heat.

 

[zion zig zag]

Can't wait to enjoy my radiant heat.

View attachment 343504

Clean looking install!

 

[NorthIDHunter]

Some things I did...

Hot and cold water bib outside. We use the hot all of the time....
Franklin Subdirive for well--no water tank, no pressure tank.
Doggie door that runs out the house through a closet via a tunnel into a half acre fenced area.
Tempra Stiebel On-demand hot water heater. Mine's electric, juice is cheap here in ID. It's a godsend, no endless cycling of natural gas or electric.
His and hers shower heads....in master shower.
Cork floor coverings....feel great, never cold.
Wired for gennie with dedicated gennie shed.
Icynene spray-in foam insulation. We practically heat our home with a candle.

Shop with the two lean-to's as you mentioned. You described my shop exactly..

Hey I live in North Idaho as well and was talking to a local HVAC company about a new hot water heater and they strongly recommended me away from a tankless because of the low groundwater temperature here and the increased temperature rise to get it to the desired temp, they did mention if I was going to go tankless they would recommend a holding tank that would be used to get water to room temp and then feed the tankless after that. Sounds like you might not experience the temperature rise issue?

 

[swavescatter]

Love this thread - subbing.

Not sure if it's mentioned, but add at least two high power 220V outlets in your garage. Electric vehicles will be the standard in 20 years.

 

[Broomd]

Hey I live in North Idaho as well and was talking to a local HVAC company about a new hot water heater and they strongly recommended me away from a tankless because of the low groundwater temperature here and the increased temperature rise to get it to the desired temp, they did mention if I was going to go tankless they would recommend a holding tank that would be used to get water to room temp and then feed the tankless after that. Sounds like you might not experience the temperature rise issue?

Nope, I call bullsh t. Built this house in '06-'07, zero issues in 15 years. I did go big with this unit with its three 30 amp breakers, but it's hardly ever on.

 

[Jstumbaugh]

Hey I live in North Idaho as well and was talking to a local HVAC company about a new hot water heater and they strongly recommended me away from a tankless because of the low groundwater temperature here and the increased temperature rise to get it to the desired temp, they did mention if I was going to go tankless they would recommend a holding tank that would be used to get water to room temp and then feed the tankless after that. Sounds like you might not experience the temperature rise issue?

Living in Upstate NY and working for an HVAC supplier we have to work around low ground water temperatures when sizing tankless water heaters. Most water heaters rate their GPM flow at a 30 deg rise to over state their capabilities. Figure in a 70 degree rise and verify the GPM capabilities when sizing. We do more Nat gas and LP here because electric is pricey. I do have an LP combi boiler in my house and our water is treated through a retention tank which allows the water to warm to basement temp prior to entering the heater. Never had an issue with hot water flow.

 

[scott85]

Rv hook up electric and sewer.

 

[NorthIDHunter]

Living in Upstate NY and working for an HVAC supplier we have to work around low ground water temperatures when sizing tankless water heaters. Most water heaters rate their GPM flow at a 30 deg rise to over state their capabilities. Figure in a 70 degree rise and verify the GPM capabilities when sizing. We do more Nat gas and LP here because electric is pricey. I do have an LP combi boiler in my house and our water is treated through a retention tank which allows the water to warm to basement temp prior to entering the heater. Never had an issue with hot water flow.

Ok ours would be gas if we go that route. It would be in a smaller house with 6 people, but the runs are short as the hot water heater is in the middle of the house. Thanks.

 

[NorthIDHunter]

Nope, I call bullsh t. Built this house in '06-'07, zero issues in 15 years. I did go big with this unit with its three 30 amp breakers, but it's hardly ever on.

View attachment 396271

Good to know, ours would be natural gas if we go that route, might still do it. have a family of 6, the initial price difference is pretty steep, especially since I would install my own tank hot water heater, but I may really enjoy this with teenagers

 

[NorthIDHunter]

Can't wait to enjoy my radiant heat.

View attachment 343504

this will be a must if and when we ever build new. If we buy used I will be searching for this. We used to snowmobile in a secluded town in Central Idaho up above the Salmon River and my cousins uncles house had this, we would fall asleep on the bean bags it was so nice

 

[tuffcity]

Some one already mentioned it but a Butler's pantry. Also a large ensuite which includes the obligatory heated floor, heated towel racks, double sink vanity, separate shower and tub, and a toilet "closet": ie separate mini room for the toilet with a door!