A sprawling home in Bangkok

[hillbilly]

The confusing network of water pipes and drainage pipes seems to never end.



This big black monster has to go somewhere. Not the BBQ grill, the septic tank. I went with plastic on this go around. I think it is better in the long run that the concrete rings.

[hillbilly]

Through all this construction confusion, the boss keeps a close watch.

[shunpike]

Horribly hot and humid today here in Bangers...I wouldn't want to be working construction today...

[Eliminator]

Ali foil for insulation, you've got to be kidding us, or at the very least, kidding yourself.

[Loy Toy]

Nice thread Hilly but I am not too sure about those roof tiles as they have been banned in most western countries and so I have been told.

[Fabian]

For those of you who think that the Moon walk is a fake; don't worry this Thailand construction project is being closely watched and constantly evaluated.

My only concern, is that my chair will last longer than my budget.

The wife said B300,000. Thai women know everything about the cost of anything in Thailand. I knew to double that number. I am now thinking about a total of B750,000 for completion. Let's wait and see. What have I forgotten? Actually, if this budget continues to climb, this thread will soon end.

The worries are written on your face.

So as it is not an over 400 square metres mansion, may I ask how big the combined space will be?

[Fabian]

^^ LoyToy, do you think that's asbestos?

[Loy Toy]

I am fairly sure it is or a predominately asbestos based tile mate.

[nedwalk]

certainly is, harmless until you start ferking around with the integrity of the product, i.e. drilling, i have a fence around 1 of me properties that is made of the smae product, i think they called it 'super 66', used to do roofing sheets etc, all school buildings have been re roofed here, i,ll leave the fence untill various storms destroy it then the insurence can deal with it, you can,t even dump the shit without specialists on the job to dispose of lawfully.. lucky i got a bit of land , i,ll just dig a great big bit of land fill hole..

[Loombucket]

you can,t even dump the shit without specialists on the job to dispose of lawfully..

Same in Blighty. It's not the sort of stuff you would want to breath, but it's still Health and safety gone mad.

[BKKBILL]

Before everyone jumps aboard the bandwagon, let me stipulate this wood will be seen. Just hang on and you will see...

Must admit I was all ready to jump on that band wagon. Guess as you suggest will try and be patient.

[Takeovers]

Ali foil for insulation, you've got to be kidding us, or at the very least, kidding yourself

It is a moisture barrier. Essential in combination with insulation in European climate. That is why rockwool sheets often come with an aluminium coating on one side. Not sure if it applies to Thai climate conditions too, because it is supposed to keep the moisture away from the insulation when it is warmer inside than outside.

[DrAndy]

Ali foil for insulation, you've got to be kidding us, or at the very least, kidding yourself.

it is not aluminium foil, it is a sheet with foil and insulation combined and it works very well

There has been a bit of interest recently about aluminium foil insulation. This is a composite product that is about 25 to 30 mm thick and comes in 1 metre or so wide rolls. The foil is basically a sandwich of fibre insulation materials and aluminium foil. The idea is that you simply stable it to studs or rafters, plant a 25 mm thick batten on top of it and fixed to the underneath rafter or stud (this will compress the foil to zero thickness at this point) and then install plasterboard by fixing to the planted on battens. This sounds a simple and quick procedure and it is claimed that a 0.2 U value can be achieved by this method, very impressive if true.

I think the value claimed is a bit optimistic, and would not be useful in cold climates. The main problem is that it gets compressed at the rafters and so loses that efficiency. For Thailand, however, it is a good option, cheapish and effective

[hillbilly]

Never really measured the actual sq. footage. But, I am guessing about 2500 sq. feet. Give or take. It won't be a mansion, but plenty of room for us.

I agree with Dr. Andy on the insulation. Foam may have been better, but with what I was working with, the other seemed the better choice.

As far as the roof tiles go, half of Thailand is covered with them. Sure, I would have liked to go with something different; but the budget rears its ugly head.

[Eliminator]

Looks like ali foil to me with NO rockwool in between, worthless Crappo as I have this crappo in my townhouse. Sh1t doesn't do anything to keep out heat. If I had known they were putting this stuff for insulation in my place, I would have saved the money and told them NOT to bother.

[hillbilly]

Life has been both hectic and slow. So let's see where we are at now.

The extension is now coming to fruit. We have decided to call this section of the home the walkway.




It may not seem like much now, but these wood joints will be seen by the viewing public.

[hillbilly]

It seems like a ton of dirt to remove. The workers want to move it to the front yard, but I say no.



The worker struggles to lay the drainage pipe. Since the rice harvest started, this worker is now gone.

[hillbilly]

Some days are just plain hot...



Now what about this shop where I am buying the old wood from. Is he legit? Let's go visit...

[hillbilly]

At first we were looking for a door. Didn't see anything that I liked. But when I mentioned about a bench in the walkway, the eyebrows were raised and the tape measure came out.



The Muslim owner becomes more involved.

[hillbilly]

Forget my wife's Hi-So haircut. We are looking at possible benches.



Having been around Thailand for a day or two, I questioned the seller on the authencity of his product. He went nuts. Brought out paperwork verifying every piece of wood.

The wife said he was legit. Our bench was a former door during the Rama 4 or 5 era. Can't remember. Cost us about B8,000 for the door/bench.

[hillbilly]

So this piece of Thai history will soon become a bench in my walkway.



Keep in mind that the goal was to find a front door suitable for a hillbilly. The wife had given up along with the main construction boss. I however continued on with my mission.

And then I found what I was looking for...



Stay tuned, hillbilly ain't done yet!

[hillbilly]

Anyone want to take a guess at what this pile of material cost? Trust me, I ain't bragging, I am complaining...

The pic is lousy.

[hillbilly]

Speaking of materials, this batch of wood in the middle will make up part of my celing.



After a hard day at work, I came home to find this sign. What the hell?

Actually, it is just a note to tell the local hired Thais about moving the dirt. The total price was B2000. They moved half and said they wanted B2500.

[hillbilly]

Good! My real cement fake stone structure is coming along.

[hillbilly]

This lady collecting the excess dirt is by day my Soi cleaner. The boss has hired her out to help remove the dirt.



I have to admit she does work hard at removing the dirt.