How To Do Everything

Good Grief
by 5C8rvfuWev

Martin, why on earth isn't this a book?

Response to Joe
by Martin Holladay, GBA Advisor

Joe,
Talk to Taunton Publishers -- put in a word for the idea!

At their last book editors' meeting, the idea was shelved. I guess the bankruptcy of Borders Books has publishers wondering how books can be marketed these days.

Great Resource
by Thomas Farwell

Thanks

Good Grief indeed
by Gordon Taylor

God knows I'd buy it.

re:
by Keith Gustafson

The book I would like to see him write is:

"Replacing the Hippie House"

subtitled 'what I am going to do with the millions you pay me for writing this book'

Seriously, without all of the 'well you could do this' or 'you might choose to do this' that is required of Martin in this online job of his.

I think it would be a good read.

Response to Keith
by Martin Holladay, GBA Advisor

Keith,
Trust me -- there will never be "millions" for writers who advise builders on construction methods. It's not a lucrative field. So if you have kids in college wondering about what subject to major in, I don't recommend journalism or English literature -- especially if they seek "millions."

So, am I reading you correctly: you are tired of advice that explains that there are always two or three solutions to every problem? Instead, would you rather hear me voice a strong opinion stating, "This is the way to build a house"?

RE Martin
by Keith Gustafson

tongue was firmly in cheek regarding the millions.

I think it is interesting to see what smart people do regarding choices and trade-offs. I think the personal decision making is sometimes more interesting than general advice. It is a very different thing, educational in a different way.

Response to Keith
by Martin Holladay, GBA Advisor

Keith,
Here's the short answer: I try to plug a few more air leaks every year, and I burn firewood that I cut myself. I don't anticipate building myself another home in my lifetime.

This is the way.....
by John Brooks

Martin,
I think that Keith asked a very good question.
It is a question that you usually seem to dodge.
Perhaps you do not need or want another home....
What construction method would you suggest if a close friend or family member wanted to duplicate your hippie house in Vermont?

Joe Lstiburek's "perfect" (outside insulation) ?
or a "Double Wall with cellulose" AKA Turd ?

Response to John Brooks
by Martin Holladay, GBA Advisor

John,
Believe it or not, I'm being honest when I say there are a lot of ways to build energy-efficient walls, and they all work. I am in favor of double-stud walls filled with cellulose, and I also like walls with thick exterior polyisocyanurate insulation. Both work well.

I recently had an exchange of e-mails with architect Jesse Thompson, who says he is getting tired of the endless discussions about walls. I may be putting words into his mouth, but I get the impression that he is thinking, "Enough already! Who cares?"

After all, if you build a good, tight, well-designed high-R wall, it's going to work. So let's stop arguing. There are other aspects of houses to discuss: attic insulation, windows, airtightness, house size, orientation, passive solar features, and heating systems. If anyone of us builds a house with very low energy bills, let's just say, "Bravo!" and move on.

Almost complete but needs one more...
by albert rooks

Martin,

Can you help us with:

"How to survive the recession"?

Response to Albert
by Martin Holladay, GBA Advisor

Albert,
Ask your grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles who remember the 1930s. Here are a few reminders:

1. Have a vegetable garden.

2. Turn out the light when you're not in the room.

3. Invite the extended family to live together in the same house.

4. Barter with your neighbors.

5. Cook more grits, oatmeal, rice, and beans. Cook a big pot and it will last for several days.

6. Patch your clothes.

7. Walk and bicycle to get around.

8. It's never too cold to cut firewood when you are all out.

ICF Construction
by JEFF LANGSTAFF

I don't know, maybe I missed something but I didn't read one 'How To' title which even made a reference to ICF house construction. You go on and on about fancy framing, vapor barriers, thermal bridging, and so forth up the ying yang but for my construction dollar nothing beats ICF to deal with all those issues in one fell swoop. End of story and of my rant.

Response to Jeff
by Martin Holladay, GBA Advisor

Jeff,
Although I haven't written a blog about ICF construction, plenty of other GBA authors have.

If you search our website using the search terms "insulated concrete form" or "ICF," you'll get lots of links, and have plenty of articles to read and videos to view.

surviving
by Brian Carter

Martin,
I live in Hew Hampshire,but I'm ready to break camp and relocate.I would be a good neighbor.How is the real-estate market in your neighborhood?

Brian - about the real estate market
by Martin Holladay, GBA Advisor

Brian,
I don't know much about real estate. I think it's fair to say that real estate prices everywhere have dropped from two or three years ago.

top post
by Minneapolis Disaster, 6B

May I suggest permanently and prominently linking to this digest at the top of the Q&A page?

Thanks, MD
by Martin Holladay, GBA Advisor

MD,
Glad to hear that you find that the page is useful.