Finding and Building a Residence for Mr and Mrs MTSINTERNATIONAL

27 May 2008;

Progress on the interior of the house continues. Gypsum stepped ceilings being completed with tape and spackling. Patio tile being laid. And preparation for painting being made. What follows shows some of the updates.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above picture: Spacking being applied on gypsum to cover seam tape and screw holes.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above picture: stepped ceiling prior to application of tape and spackling.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.jpg
Above picture: more taping and spackling... Western kitchen area.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above picture: Upper part of pool patio tile being laid. I think the diamond template is a nice touch to berak up the monotonous standard patterns seen.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above picture: and another picture of the upper pool patio tile. The lower level pool patio should be started next week and will be able to show some additional pictures of that when started.

Khun Sea, looking better every visit. I stopped by yesterday. Talked with Khun Loong and the others. I see the first coat of paint on living/kitchen area and the huge electric consumer panel. The electrician is doing a good job and the panel is geared for 3 phase power supply even if you can't get it for awhile yur ready for it. Next I need to see the incoming supply cables,,,,I forgot to look where they are.

We will meet with Khun and Gang maybe Sunday for a first talk.

Keep the pictures coming.

Oh yeah----------.....>>>>><<<<<<,,,,,,,,whats happening on the pool? Khun said there are still difficulties with the people internally in the pool company?

As you say, minor issue with the pool but it is internal and does not affect the technical process. I'll follow how it plays out but as long as it does not affect the technical asspect of the project, no problem for me.

28 May 2008:

Contractor is getting into some of the detailed work now. He is finishing off the stepped ceilings, painting, preparing to lay the lower patio and driveway tile, etc. As one would expect, with the more detailed work being accomplished, the perception of progress has slowed but none the less, the results of this detailed work is beginning to make the house really look like a house. Here are some progress pictures from the past few days:

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ium%29%7E1.JPG
Above Picture: Living room looking out onto the upper part of pool patio with 1st coat of paint.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ium%29%7E0.JPG
Above Picture: Living room looking out the front door with 1st coat of paint.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ium%29%7E0.JPG
Above Picture: Master Bedroom looking out into the pool area with 1st coat of paint.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ium%29%7E0.JPG
Above Picture: Office area with completion of the stepped ceiling and 1st coat of paint. Holes for lighting components being cut.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ium%29%7E2.JPG
Above Picture: Preparation for the laying of tile on the lower pool patio.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ium%29%7E0.JPG
Above Picture: More preparation for the laying of lower pool patio tile.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ium%29%7E2.JPG
Above Picture: Preparation for the laying of the driveway tile.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ium%29%7E3.JPG
Above Picture: Progress on the pool and preparation of walkway around the pool where the sandwash will be.

Here's a question that I don't know the answer to, would it look better if those tiles were done in random rather than the pattern in the top right?

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG

Khun "Dog",

I played around just a little with the design template I wanted to use for the patio tile and settled on what you see. In the end, I think it comes down to an individual preference. In my case, I didn't want the tile template to be tooooo boxey or square so I had Khun the Contractor put them at an angle. "6 of 1 or 1/2 dozen of the other" in this case. Thanks for the added perspective.

why do you have stepped ceilings?

do they have any advantage over flat ones?

I am not knocking the design or anything, the tiles were put down the way they were supposed to be, but would they have looked better if the light bits were all together?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrAndy

why do you have stepped ceilings?

do they have any advantage over flat ones?

---

Khun Andy,

One very good reason... they appealed to Mrs SEA Traveler.

They do in fact add about 20 cm to the height of the ceiling and provides a nice attractive look. This is not a unique feature as I've seen it both here in the US and also in Thailand. A matter of preference, that's all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dirtydog

I am not knocking the design or anything, the tiles were put down the way they were supposed to be, but would they have looked better if the light bits were all together?

---

Khun DD,
Possibly what you point out is the case and since I am not currently at site am unable to make a first hand assessment and provide a profound response. At this point though, I'm content that the tiles seem to have been put down in a reasonable fashion and STRAIGHT. I've seen some pretty shabby tile installation jobs in Thai but so far so good on this project.

Good looking project! I noticed that your perimeter wall has significant patch work done to it. How severe are the cracks? Was this do to the walls foundation settling or expansion and contraction of block and mortor? Are there any Elastomeric Wall Coating products available in Thailand? I enclosed a link that will give you some idea of what I mean.
http://www.dehavenconstruction.com/elastomeric/index5.htm

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The_Dude

Good looking project! I noticed that your perimeter wall has significant patch work done to it. How severe are the cracks? Was this do to the walls foundation settling or expansion and contraction of block and mortor? Are there any Elastomeric Wall Coating products available in Thailand? I enclosed a link that will give you some idea of what I mean.
http://www.dehavenconstruction.com/e...ric/index5.htm

---

Khun Dude,
Thanks for the kind comments about the project.
Wall is secure without any cracks in the block. What you noticed were some hairline cracks in the rendering/mortor of the thin layer of cement over the block wall. Wall was actually constructed about 18 months ago after I had the initial dirt brought into the area. Contractor patched the hairline cracks prior to applying the 2 coats of paint closer to completion of the project.
As it relates to availability of an elastomeric product in Thailand... best ask a fellow forum member who does some contracting work.

ST,

Thanks for the quick response and good luck with the project. I'm sure you will enjoy this house in the near future.

Excellent report keep it coming.

It's looking good SEA Traveler, keep the reports coming in.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The_Dude

ST,

Thanks for the quick response and good luck with the project. I'm sure you will enjoy this house in the near future.

---

Thanks Khun Dude. Yup, in the near future... there might even be a Bar-B-Q from time to time... HOOOOOA!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Loombucket

It's looking good SEA Traveler, keep the reports coming in.

---

Yup! Just trying to keep up with the Loom's. :) The update reports that I post to this forum are dependent on and a result of phone discussions with Khun the "contractor" and updates from family and friends that are a little closer to the construction site on a daily basis. The reports will continue though and looking forward to being able to be in the house full time when it is completed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AZZZEY68

Excellent report keep it coming.

---

thanks 68! greatly appreciated.

To be fair its a quality read.

31 May 2008,
With every day, the progress being made on the house is beginning make a difference. 1st coats of paint are being applied, floor and bathroom tiling are being completed, stepped ceilings with installed lighting are being completed and the driveway is being started. I am satisfied with the progress and the level of quality that Khun and workers have put into this house. The team put together for this project certainly have the skill, knowledge, and tools for completing this project successfully and to specification. Here are some pictures showing the most recent progress.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above Picture: Concrete Driveway placed with tiling to follow. The 1st coat of exterior paint is being applied. The trim paint will be a little darker as a follow-on picture will show.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above picture: Front of house with 1st coat of paint and the darker trim.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above Picture: As someone from this forum had previously mentioned and recommended, I had the contractor go with TOA paint. I'm sure it will work out just fine and compairs to other local brands.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above Picture: West side of the house with 1st coat of paint and the pool area.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above Picture: Full view of the West side of the house with the beginning of the application of the 1st coat of paint.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above Picture: In an earlier post where the top step coming from the front terrace was squared off at the right corner and was not rounded as the 2 below steps, I indicated that I was going to have the contractor round off that top corner. Here you can see that the corner was rounded off and is looking a lot better than it previously did.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above Picture: 1st coat of paint in kitchen and the electrical circuit box. As the area currently has only single phase electric, the schedule for 3 phase to be installed has been established and will take place within 6 months. I had the house wired and a 3 phase electrical circuit box installed in readiness for the electric company's putting in 3 phased electric in the near future.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above Picture: Master Bedroom Stepped ceiling with the recessed lighting and 1st coat of paint.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above Picture: Stepped Ceiling and lighting in the Office area.


https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...2C_May__08.JPG
Above Picture: Stepped Ceiling in the Living Room.

looking good mate, hope your well, nice garden project comng up?

Sea all is looking good. Won't be long now and you will be pouring cool drinks next to that pool and garden. Khun Loong and crew are doing a superb job on the place and now its looking really great.

Khun Hino,

The pouring of cool drinks next to the pool will not be soon enough. Already get some of my projects in line for when I'm resident more permanently...

MTS, I'll beat you to it, I can't provide a private pool but the drinks will sure be available.
Your place is looking great, wish I could have done the same but, as you know, that had included a change of wife.

Khun Boss,

Yes, you will be beating me to the punch as it relates to being able to enjoy a realaxing drink on the new house patio but I'll be in for the long haul and will be looking to catch up when I do get there in August.

I had decided early on in the planning process for this house to use a hard wood flooring for the Office and Master Bedroom. I had seen a finished Makha wood floor that was in the father-in-laws house and found the sanded and varnished surface soothing to the bare feet as well as the deep rich color adding a feeling of internal warmth (I did not say heat/hot as in temperature). I was advised that the use of Makha wood had been used in Thai homes for years and was considered traditional of some sort if not as popular as Teak wood. As I recall, the Makha was also slightly less expensive than the Teak wood so I went with Makha.

Apparently the longer and wider sections of Makha wood flooring are more expensive than the shorter and narrower pieces. This did not impose any issues with me at all as I liked the appearance of the shorter 40 cm or so lengths. I decided on the shorter 40 cm lengths to be installed.

The next consideration was in what design I wanted the wood put down. Although not opposed to a herringbone design, I was more inclined to stick with something more traditional and advised the contractor to follow a simple template placing the wood slats lengthwise with the length of the room. As it turns out, it looks just as I imagined and had hoped that it would.

The following pictures show the work in progress of the placement of the Makha wood flooring. It has yet to be completed and the surface has not yet been stained or the clear protectorate applied yet. That should be interesting in itself. In any event, the efforts of the contractor in putting down the wood flooring look fantastic. Take a look.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ood_Floor1.JPG
Above Picture: Unfinished Makha Wood flooring in the Office.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ood_Floor2.JPG
Above Picture: Another view of the unfinished Makha Wood flooring in the office.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u..._Floor3JPG.jpg
Above Picture: Unfinished Makha Wood flooring in the Master Bedroom.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ood_Floor4.JPG
Above Picture: Unfinishe Makha Wood flooring in Master Bedroom Walk in Closet.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...ood_Floor5.JPG
Above Picture: Unfinished Makha Wood flooring in the Walk in closet.

My plan all along has been to bring the electric line into the property via underground. Received some advisement not long ago that, for various reasons, there would be some difficulty with bringing in the electrical underground and into the property. I was not necessarily buying the electrical company's reasoning or explanations nor did I completely understand, because of the language differences and to what I attribute the Thai way of not really answering a question, why it would be a problem. Long story short, I was told that because the electric poles on on the opposit side of the street from my house and because the road is not yet blacktopped/concreted, it would be required for me to put an electrical pole on my property at my expense. It did not make all that much sense to me and working from a afar, did not feel inclined to want to contractor to pursue this for me. So, slightly dissapointed, I went with a tradition approach for bringing in the electricity. It is what it is and I'm over it already. Lets move on to the next issue.... I just consider myself fortunate that all else is going well with the project.

Why do want 3PH coming onto your property? Will you have large loads (motors)? It seems odd for a residence to have 3PH. It would be great for a machinist in a work shop. Is this your intent?

I can try to answer the "why" of the 3-phase question.

ST's need is for a higher amp supply not 3 phase to run a motor. The 3 phase supply from PEA will give him up to 50 amps per phase or 150 total. The highest supply I have ever seen on a single phase system is 100 amps. I believe it is possible to get a 150 amp meter single phase but not here in Ban Chang that I know of.

Currently the soi cannot supply 3 phase as the line down his soi is just single phase but his panel is being wired for a 3 phase split supply so when they do put 3 phase on his soi he can then get the higher supply to feed his need.

That in a nutshell is why he will install 3 phase. For the higher amp supply

ST might as well order 3PH A/C units and run the pool pumps on 3PH other then that I don't see him needing a larger service unless he is running more loads then mentioned. But it could be a "Tool Man Taylor" thing!
https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif
Agh-Agh Agh!!!

Hey Dude, sounds like a plan---------->> Only trouble is the house is almost finished and all the wring is in place and the electrical fixtures are purchased for the pool and such so your idea of 3 phase equipment won't work at this stage. the other piece is that 3 phase is not available on his soi yet.

He is wired and ready for 3 phase or 1 phase. Next year he can re-evaluate his load and needs and when higher current supply is available on his soi he can upgrade as the need arises.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The_Dude

Why do want 3PH coming onto your property? Will you have large loads (motors)? It seems odd for a residence to have 3PH. It would be great for a machinist in a work shop. Is this your intent?

---

Khun Dude: What you ask is a reasonable question and I can assure you that I would not be able to explaain the logic any beter than Khun "Sparky" Hino. By the way, "thanks Khun "SPARKY" Hino for the explanation...

No plans at this point for any work shop equip but I was looking to have enough electricity on a continual basis without feeling the variable surge/decrament in power. The fact that 3 phase is scheduled to run up the soi in the not too distant future prompted me to be prepared to accept that without having to do any retoolling of the electric box. By doing it up front during the original construction, I will be prepared for when they do install the 3 phased lines. No problem.

As for feeling the need to do a "tool time", nah, my tools are suficient to get the job done.

Thanks, Hino & Sea Traveler for enlightening me. Keep up the good work! And, Feet Forward!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HINO

Currently the soi cannot supply 3 phase as the line down his soi is just single phase but his panel is being wired for a 3 phase split supply so when they do put 3 phase on his soi he can then get the higher supply to feed his need.

---

I did the same when building my house.
3-phase distribution panel with 3-phase main breaker and even put a 3-phase underground cable between house and meter.
So it was an easy job to change from 1 to 3-phase when the 3-phase line became available.

One point of caution for systems where 3-phase is used as 3 x 1-phase (ie , no true 3-phase equipment installed) :
The current flowing in the neutral line is the sum of the current in the 3 phase lines.
So the diameter of the neutral cable should be quite a bit bigger than the phase cables.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lom

One point of caution for systems where 3-phase is used as 3 x 1-phase (ie , no true 3-phase equipment installed) :
The current flowing in the neutral line is the sum of the current in the 3 phase lines.
So the diameter of the neutral cable should be quite a bit bigger than the phase cables.

---

Nope! You can't just add the currents to get the neutral current, remember the phases are 120 degrees apart so you'll be needing to do some phasor calculations :(

Actually, the neutral current will never be greater than the largest phase current even in the most hideously out of balance systems. A quick and dirty calculation for your neutral current is:-

Quote:

---

There is a quick way which is not exact but very close;
Example;
L1 = 7.5A
L2 = 5.5A
L3 = 4.0A
Subtract the smallest current from the other two:
L1 - L3
L2 - L3
7.5A - 4.0A = 3.5A
5.5A - 4.0A = 1.5A
The square root of (3.5(squared) - 1.5(squared)) = 3.162A

Works for power-factors better than about 0.8.

---

Looks like your project is moving along very well. Congratulations.

One thing you might wish to consider, if you haven't already done so, is to install variable dimmer switches on your overhead lights in each room.

Just a thought.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chuckd

Looks like your project is moving along very well. Congratulations.

One thing you might wish to consider, if you haven't already done so, is to install variable dimmer switches on your overhead lights in each room.

Just a thought.

---

Thanks Khun C for your recommendation of dimmer switches and for you encouragement on the project. Actually the dimmer switches thing is probably something to look at.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by More Volts Igor

Nope! You can't just add the currents to get the neutral current, remember the phases are 120 degrees apart so you'll be needing to do some phasor calculations

---

Yes I remember.. And stand corrected,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lom

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by More Volts Igor

Nope! You can't just add the currents to get the neutral current, remember the phases are 120 degrees apart so you'll be needing to do some phasor calculations

---

Yes I remember.. And stand corrected,

---

Thanks Khuns loom and Igor. It is all clear as mud to me now. Guess I'll have to pull out my Sparky to English translation dictionary.

5 June 2008;

Painting and paint trim work on the exterior of the house continue as is the placement of tile in the Living Room and preparation of the Teak Wood doors throughout the house. You will be able to see from the following pictures that the progress is slow but deliberate and I feel that it is making a real difference. It is all coming together nicely. Good work Khun.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...6/normal_1.jpg
Above Picture: Front of house paint and trim.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...6/normal_2.jpg
Above Picture: Front terrace tile almost finished.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...6/normal_3.jpg
Above Picture: Living Room tile almost completed. Contractor Khun was nice enough to put down some craft paper so that the tile already place doees not get marked up.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...6/normal_4.jpg
Above Picture: Living Room floor tile has a design put down just inside the entrance way.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...6/normal_5.jpg
Above Picture: here is a closer picture of the tile design just inside the front door way.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...6/normal_6.jpg
Above Picture: Teak Wood doors are being stained. I'm told that at least 3 coats of stain will be applied because the stain gets absorbed by the teak and to make sure that the color is a deep smooth color rather than just a rough look.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...C_June__08.jpg
Above Picture: Weat side of the house painted with trim.

lovin it mate, floors looks pukka, not far to go, hows the pool coming along?