A day in the life in the North

[danno5]

Katie, I had a house built in Florida a couple of years ago. It is concrete block construction, and as Stumpy said every meter or so around the perimeter the block core is filled with concrete and reinforcing steel - the steel extends from the footing all the way to a tie beam that is poured at the top of the wall (about .5M tall). So these walls are extremely strong for when hurricanes hit us. The windows are hurricane resistant (can withstand a piece of framing lumber hitting them at 160 mph) and the roof trusses are connected into the tie beam with straps that are poured into the concrete.

This system, while strong, does not provide much for insulating properties (the blocks are hollow!), and don't meet the energy code of the state. So pressure treated furring strips are attached to the interior walls and foam board insulation is placed on the interior of the blocks to meet the insulation needs. Sheetrock is then added. This also provides a space for all the electrical to be run so there is no need to recess conduit in the wall. The outside of the block is stuccoed, as is the interior of my garage. Almost all houses around me (and there is a massive amount of new construction) are built the same way, although I do see an occasional ICF built house.

I don't think AAC block is common in the US (I had never heard of it before I lived in SE Asia), and not sure it would meet the hurricane strength requirements if the cores cannot have the reinforcing steel installed to tie the walls from top to bottom.

[Topper]

Rather than build a hurricane proof house, I'd have built a central "safe room". Like you said, ain't much going to stop a 2x4 flying at 75mph.

[katie23]

As always, TD delivers the answers! <thumbs up>

Thanks Stumpy and most especially to danno for the answers! I was trying to understand the logic or principle behind the cinder block + dry wall. Now, I know that it's to meet code requirements.

@danno - you're right that here in Asia, the electrical lines & plumbing are recessed into the concrete blocks/ AAC/ brick walls.

I saw another set of builders, "Fixer to Fabulous" also on HGTV. (Thanks to YT algorithm.) Yes it's Hollywood-ish and is a reality show. The builders are based in Arkansas and they mainly use wood framing then dry wall or sheet rock inside. For the outside, they use dry wall, then wrap the house in Tyvek (had to Google that). Then they add exterior siding, whether vinyl planks, engineered wood or stone. I found it interesting to see the different construction methods and how they decorated the houses. Then they present the finished or renovated house to the clients and the clients have exaggerated reactions to the reno. Lol.

Cheers all!

[Stumpy]

Rather than build a hurricane proof house, I'd have built a central "safe room". Like you said, ain't much going to stop a 2x4 flying at 75mph.

Yeah I tend to agree but those who live in those areas where hurricanes happen will try to stay and avoid significant damage.

This system, while strong, does not provide much for insulating properties (the blocks are hollow!), and don't meet the energy code of the state.

I agree Danno, I couldn't see the cinder blocks meeting basic code insulation requirements but don't they add that aluminum coated insulation on the wall before they install the manufactured wood?

[bsnub]

Like you said, ain't much going to stop a 2x4 flying at 75mph.

Apparently, Dannos windows can...

The windows are hurricane resistant (can withstand a piece of framing lumber hitting them at 160 mph)

[BLD]

I've been in the Philippines a couple of times when major typhoons hit. they are fucking scary and most folks houses are simply built and can't withstand the ferocity of that. Indeed some parts of the states get battered by hurricanes but im guessing better built,
?that's similar? Anyway a mate of mine once told me there's no difference between a Tennessee divorce and a hurricane
Either way you loose your Trailer just kidding

[Stumpy]

Took a ride up to the mountains on the new ATV 1000cc. Rain came but no issues as I found tree in the hills to stop for a bit and enjoy the view.



View across the valley towards Lamphun





With all the rain the rice fields are going fast.

[Stumpy]

A ride out and about

[DrWilly]

Those colours do not look real!

[Stumpy]

Cheers DW. It was a nice late afternoon ride up in the mountains. They say a big storm is coming.

[Stumpy]

Last few weeks have been quite busy both personally and work wise.

Unfortunately, but not unexpected, my FIL's brother passed away and so all those activities at the temple kept us busy. Work has been chasing numerous contractual obligations and EOL on the gen 2 product.

Other than that, Its life is always busy



Decided to add a sink at the pool bar. Makes life easier versus walking to the kitchen.







Pan seared a porterhouse with butter and fresh garlic and enjoyed it watching the SF Giants AZ game. Washed it down with a nice Beer Lao IPA



Our big tortoise is finally out and about moving around. Tommy weights 128lbs now



After some property upkeep the next day, no way better than to enjoy an ice cold Deschutes IPA






Grilled up some chicken wings this morning watching some NFL. Of course I always have new friends hoping for scraps



Tore into my ATV clutch to confirm the model style as I will upgrade it with different springs and weights to apply more power.

[bsnub]

Pan seared a porterhouse with butter and fresh garlic

Looks fantastic, I am a fan of a nice pan seared steak, I just prefer using cast iron.

[Stumpy]

Looks fantastic, I am a fan of a nice pan seared steak, I just prefer using cast iron.

I agree snubs. I wish we had a few here. It's usually why I grill versus pan sear. I can find a cast iron skillet here but just haven't taken the time.

Cheers

[BLD]

Good to see a beerlao IPA is available..I was on a lao Facebook page yesterday and someone had posted that Beerlao dark which is a fantastic beer has gone from 6% to 5% now which is a bit sneaky. Some are saying it's fucked with the taste to. WTF

[DrWilly]

An excellent meal and obviously well deserved after all that work.

[aging one]

someone had posted that Beerlao dark which is a fantastic beer has gone from 6% to 5% now which is a bit sneaky. Some are saying it's fucked with the taste to. WTF

Just went to the fridge and had a look. 6.5% here in Thailand.

[Norton]

Just went to the fridge and had a look. 6.5% here in Thailand.

Dark is 6.5. Pales are 5.

[Stumpy]

Just went to the fridge and had a look. 6.5% here in Thailand.

Me Too AO. I have 8 and checked them all. 6.5% and it's a great tasting beer.

I hope they don't drop it to 5.

[BLD]

This is the feedback I'm getting from the swirlers in Lao

[Stumpy]

This is the feedback I'm getting from the swirlers in Lao

Well that would be poor news. It would be the same as their general Lager. The IPA is 6%

[cyrille]

Seems to be a worldwide trend that has gone on for a few years now, sadly.

Makro is now just stacked with goat's piss here.

Just a few years ago beerlao was selling well.

[armstrong]

Stumps. What's the dog/tortoise relationship like? Do they just ignore each other?

[Stumpy]

Stumps. What's the dog/tortoise relationship like? Do they just ignore each other?

Hmmm. It's a funny relationship. The Tortoise just roams the property but occasionally comes up on a dog napping and basically just pushes the dog out of the way and the dog just stares like "Yeah Alright". Short of that they co exist with no issues. As I posted a long while back, I sold off the other 4 big ones and the babies. Primarily as the males fought a lot and being basically 125lb rock they can destroy stuff and the dogs would go out and bark at them. So we kept "Tommy" who was our original Tortoise we raised since we have been here. So he just cruises around. Eats grass and sits in the sun.

[Stumpy]

With a break in the unpredictable weather, I took off on an ATV ride SE towards Thoen.






Pointed at what I thought was a random elephant. Never showed up but I heard it.





Took a break in the shade.



After another 20 minutes or so came up on another beautiful lake in the mountains.

[Mendip]

^ That lake looks open enough to cast a fly. A lake such as that in the UK would contain wild brown trout, and maybe stocked rainbows as well, depending on the ownership/arrangement.

I've often wondered if there is an equivalent fish in Thailand to the freshwater trout? Any idea, Mr Stumpy?