Insulation, Studs and Siding: Material Cost

Cellulose Insulation (recycled, blown in insulation.) 

--- 40 sqft = $10

--- R-49 = 18" thick walls, min 80 bags per 1000 sqft. ($800)

--- R-30 = 9" thick walls, min 47 bags per 1000 sqft.  ($470)

Note: Fiberglass insulation is $5 more per bag, covers less space, and is thought to be a little less effecient. 

Wood Studs

2x4x10 = $4.00

2x4x12 = $5.00

2x6x10 = $5.25

2x6x12 = $6.25

2x8x10 = $6.00

2x8x12 = $6.50

2x10x12 = $ 9.30

2x10x16 = $12.15

Floor Joists

2x10x12 = $ 9.30

2x10x16 = $12.15

Exterior Wall Option: 

Corrugated Galvanized Steel  2 1/2 x 8ft $9.20

Ferrocement

--- 94 lb portland cement $10.70

--- 60 lb bag of sand $4.00

Ideas for a cheaper, apealing home.

Exterior:
Rusted Metal Sheets : 2x8ft Rolled Steel : $5 sqft
--- This material makes a nice, rusted red appearance after six months.
Cement Board : Stain peach, then add a wood stain. $1.50 sqft
--- Gives the appearance of wood board siding.

Exterior Walls:
Exterior Walls are currently planned be 6" thick wood walls. Despite Tennessee only requiring 4" thick walls, the additional thickness will aid in insulation.

An alternate idea is to build a Straw Bale house that is a 4x4 stud frames with straw bales in between. This would certainly provide good insulation, and I'm sure hay bales are quite cheap. Here's a page with a few house plans (The "coil" looks interesting.) I wonder if there would be a problem using ferrocement instead of plaster? (Ferrocement is more of a concrete then plaster.) There seems to be a good site for it too.

And then there's the potential of a solid concrete home. I would have to do some math to see if that would be an affordable option though.

Interior Walls:
I cannot think of a cheaper inside wall with the same thickness then standard 4" wood and drywall. Any ideas?

The Atomic House: Survive the Economic Fallout!

This blog began after years of having  many home plans in my mind, including converting two shipping containers into a home, ferrocement houses, and even a house that functions as an RV parking space.

Recentially I cam across a blog about The Clayton i-house and spoke with the gentleman who created it. After carefull consideration, I believe I could design a better, (much) lower cost option that would be easy for people to build, possibly by a single person. 

I chose to take my ideas to the web in order to get others opinions, ideas, and DIY tips that will make the plan capable of being built by anyone who has the will.  I hope this blog expands to the point that others will be able to give their input on the design and, once complete, follow the construction of this affordable solution to the overinflated housing market.

Base ideas

Size: Around 600 - 800 Square Feet (2 br, possibly 2 bath)

Heat: Radient Floor Heat

Cooling: Central AC

Insulation: Walls 6" thick, as good insulation as possible BUT at a reasonable price.

Electric: Solar or Wind power to reduce cost with battery storage

Futureproof: Eaisly expandable to a second level

I will try to post pictures of house plans I've sketched up along with further comments on what I hope to put into this home!