From: Alex M.

Carl,

 

 I found no information about building Mediterranean houses w/ stucco finishes. Also, I was a little confused while reading your book - at what stage of the construction do you install HVAC&A/C units, ducts?

Thanks,

Alex

Hi Alex,
Being your own General Contractor is nonspecific as to style of house. You can build houses with vinyl siding, brick, logs, etc., or stucco.

On my “Getting Started” page you’ll find plenty of Mediterranean style homes from several of the house plan companies

Here’s a Mediterranean Style Plan from Coolhouseplans.com


Mediterranean Style COOL House Plan ID: chp-34050

The estimating of costs will involve different suppliers and subcontractors for each of the different exteriors.

Portland cement plaster (stucco) should not be confused with the exterior insulation finish systems (EIFS) or synthetic stucco systems that have become popular but may have performance problems, including moisture damage and low impact-resistance.

Synthetic stucco is generally a fraction of the thickness of portland cement stucco, offering less impact resistance. Due to its composition, it does not allow the inside of a wall to dry when moisture gets trapped inside. Trapped moisture eventually rots insulation, sheathing, and wood framing. It also corrodes metal framing and metal attachments.

There have been fewer problems with EIFS used over solid bases such as concrete or masonry because these substrates are very stable and are not subject to rot or corrosion.

Traditional stucco provides a tough exterior that resists attack — from woodpeckers to weed wackers, to grocery carts. That inherent toughness is beautifully complemented by the variety of colors and textures available. Whether it's your business or your home, appearance is an important consideration in selecting a wall cladding. You can select a color and texture consistent with the message and image you wish to convey.

The finish possibilities are infinite. Stucco is unique among the decorative finishing materials. It can be used to provide highlights, depth and continuity. A nearly unlimited palette of colors that never need painting is available to provide a uniform, maintenance-free finish for your most lavish designs. Imagination is the only limitation.

Color is determined by selecting cement and aggregate color, and quite often modified by adding mineral oxide pigments to the plaster mix. Texture is achieved by selecting aggregate size, controlling finish mix consistency, and using special treatment techniques during and after application of the finish coat plaster. Texture gives substance and character to the plaster surface — adding highlights, depth, continuity, segmentation, and even achieving the look of a completely different construction material, such as wood timbers, brick, or stone masonry construction.

Stucco is applied either by hand or machine to exterior and interior wall surfaces. It may be applied directly to a solid base such as masonry or concrete walls, or it can be applied to metal lath attached to frame construction, solid masonry, or concrete construction. Applied to metal lath, three coats form a 7/8-inch total thickness. A vapor-permeable, water-resistant building paper separates the plaster and lath from water-sensitive sheathing or framing. Cementitious stucco has high impact resistance and sheds water, but it also breathes, allowing water vapor to escape. It is a proven system that works in all climates.

Portland cement plaster is the most inexpensive wall finish by far. Its proven long-term value has been time tested and well documented. Stucco is the most durable and long-lasting wall finish providing years of maintenance-free beauty. Stucco is also easy and inexpensive to repair. Re-stucco of existing buildings easily allows change to the appearance of color and texture, giving new character and variety to old buildings.

As for Rough-ins:

On page 83 of my book and on my website (http://byoh.com/buildingthehouse.htm)both numbered step # 11, “Rough-ins”, you will see that is the stage of installing all rough-ins. For HVAC, this would include, but not be limited to duct work.



As for the “units”, the furnaces (or air handling units) would be installed in areas that would be too difficult to access after dry walling.



The outside A/C units are installed at final trim out stage, step #19.

Ciao,
Carl



Remember: By being the General Contractor (GC), determining building costs & hiring professionals (subcontractors) to do the actual work (That’s what a GC does), YOU can be your own General Contractor for ANY type of construction: New homebuilding to build your “Dream House”), room additions, remodeling older homes; Build log homes, kit homes, even renovate foreclosures. Since you are the “Boss”, YOU can chose your own house plans or home plans, YOU can design your kitchen, YOU can decide to build “Green”, build with Solar, Wind, geothermal heat pumps, or anything else YOU desire, and YOU can do it for a lot LESS!