We are at the phase of the cabin project where we can really see the shape that the house is taking. This week we began framing the walls and digging the “pozo.” Pozo means well, but in this case, it is the word they use for septic tank. This hole has to be at least 6 feet in the ground, 6 feet wide and 6 feet in length. Below about 2 feet, it is rock hard soil. And they are digging by hand. In the full sun. Yah. There are some worn out guys by the end of the day.
Britton and the guys take turns digging and removing the dirt for the septic
Before we even started these tasks, Britton installed all the hurricane clips beneath the house as well as brought over and powerwashed nearly all of the 2x4s. Between him and me, I think we probably washed about 200 pieces of wood, and some of them really needed it.
Britton pauses during powerwashing (sorry it’s a little blurry)
This is such a major project it quickly becomes exhausting. The guys often work straight through in the hot, blazing sun. Since we had to clear the area before we could build, it is just roasting without shade. The good thing is that we think it is going to be an excellent candidate for solar power.
Framing the first wall
Every single thing that you see in these pictures was brought over by hand through the jungle up and down slick slopes under and over trees and vines. I don’t think anyone would deny that we really are a team of go-getters with can-do attitudes (but they may say we are a little crazy too 🙂 )!
Two walls up
We are still deciding on a few things like siding (there is really only one choice at any ferreteria: T-111 siding -but we would prefer something else, windows -Miami shutters (Air Masters) must make up 90% of the market here so again not much choice in the matter unfortunately, and we can’t find any rolls of insulation anywhere. Not that we really need insulation for temperature reasons (there will be no heating or air conditioning inside) but we would like it in order to fill the cavities so that bees or bats won’t want to once again take up residence inside. These are fairly minor issues, they just make our days “off” seem like endless scavenger hunts with promising leads, but all trails point to the same limited choices (anyone with any suggestions?). Cést la vie in Island Construction.
Home Depot in Mayaguez may have building supplies you need, especially insulation, but probably siding, windows, cabs, pipes etc. At least in the states, they have absolutely everything necessary to build a home.
There is a town in San Luis Obispo County (about 2 hours from SB) named Pozo. We always thought the name meant “the hole” because it is located in a watery depression.
Hi Annie!
There is indeed a Home Depot in Mayaguez and we frequent it often (sometimes it feels like that is our second home lately!). However, they only carry certain items and very few companies will even ship to Puerto Rico and if they do it is super expensive. They do not have lap siding, insulation and only really carry the Miami shutter windows. They have just about everything by way of piping, landscaping materials, tools, nails and screws, appliances, treated wood (but not hard wood flooring), tiles, etc. There are just some things that we became used to in the Home Depot and Lowes in Colorado that they just simply don’t carry. Of course those stores in Greeley also didn’t carry very many hurricane clips, Spanish roof tiles, huge water tanks and roof top water heaters, not nearly as many varieties of cement nor citrus and other tropical plants, etc so it’s all relative…
That’s funny about Pozo the town. Britton thinks the word is silly like “Bozo” the clown or something 🙂
Hello Kassie and Britton,
I read about your life in the jungle with great interest.
i am a structural engineer,so here is advice on siding:
I would never use T1-11.it is very thin,and rots fast.also, it does not have enough capacity as for sheathing material in hurricane zones,really.i would recommend using plywood,at least 3/8″ thick,better 1/2″,nailed with 10d nails at 4″ on center at perimeter,and at 12 ” on center in-field.over that install “house wrap”.it is commonly sold in the mainland,please take time to find it or have it shipped.it comes in rools.it is the best way to protect the interior from moisture,bugs you name it.you see,all the nails,even if galvanized,will rust. And that is what holds your house together!
Ask me any bulding questions, i will be happy to help!
You are doing an amazing job,considering the location and all.
Vera
Vera Green,P.E.., structural engineer
(Florida and other states)
Hi, Cassie~ I just asked my hubby and he suggested liquid styrofoam that comes in a can and you spray it into nooks and it expands to fill up the space. He said he has seen it in PR. Oh, I was going to ask how large of a property you have? It seems to be huge and lots of jungle 🙂
You all are such hard workers! I wonder what alternatives to typical insulation would be used elsewhere on the island or in other areas without home stores. I recall reading somewhere about reusing denim for insulation but I wonder if it’s not actual product vs. Cutting up one’s own jeans. Haha. Been reading your blog for a month or so now. We hope to transition to PR this year!
Try National Lumber not sure how close you are to one. They have a lot of stuff Homedepot dose not carry!
Oh yes, and then siding over the house wrap.if you cannot find any in stores around you, you could do it the old-fashioned way:
Take a good size tree down, and have it sawn into thin boards,applied as siding…..
Thanks for the advice! I think we’ve found a company that will ship us some hardwood shiplap siding, so we’re crossing our fingers that it will be a decent price to ship. I would love to mill our own wood, but since this is a remote site, it would be quite the task to hand mill it in the field and we would have to check the Janka scale of the tree/wood to make sure it would last given the termites/moisture here.
As for the insulation, a few people have mentioned the expanding spray foam option. It just seems like the wrong product for such a huge job (every cavity between studs!). We were thinking of using a little for the drilled holes for wiring, but for the whole cavity! Yeesh -sounds like a mess. I have never heard of the denim insulation, I’ll have to check that out.
Rick, we have also been to National in Aguada quite a bit as well as the Comerciales, loza places and small ferreterias. National has better prices on some things and that is where we bought our remaining pieces of subfloor (they were almost $20/each cheaper than Home Depot!), but as far as these things I’ve mentioned, they don’t carry anything very different from HD.
Cassie and Britton, first of all let me say the house or cabin looks great, I commend you both on the way you have adjusted to PR and are making your home. We also have a Nacional in Quebradilla and my hubby made us a great dining room table with some lumber from there. It turned out fabulous.
Again good luck in your new home and keep up the blogging, it is so wonderful.
Tonie
My brother-in-law built his home like that, with metal roof and used vinal siding for the exterior walls. He used drywall inside on all walls and ceilings, therefore no critters are able to sneak inside since all corners are sealed with compound, just like the homes in Florida. it looks wonderful after he painted everything. He didn’t use any insulation at all, didn’t need it. Looking forward to see your new sweet home. Take care guys!
Please do not use T-1-11. We had it and it sucked. It is easy to install but the up keep is on going. Listen to Vera! Oh you only have to paint it or stain it every five year, not every two year. Warps, separates and insects can infest your home. We had it all. With the humidity you will have problems. I loved the wrap but understand the problem getting materials. Were still going to make the move some day soon. Love your site Cassie and keep up the great work. Kim and Ken