Passive Solar on a Budget
Solar Resources
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Great websites on DIY Solar projects
http://www.builditsolar.com/index.htm http://rimstar.org/renewnrg/solarair.htm |
Heating (and Cooling) with Mini-splits
http://lgsquaredinc.com/2013/01/21/im-hvac-magician-mini-splits-disappear/
http://lgsquaredinc.com/2013/03/26/serenbe-modern-proud-green-home-update-heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-syste/
http://lgsquaredinc.com/2013/03/26/serenbe-modern-proud-green-home-update-heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-syste/
Building Low Cost Solar Collectors
Plywood Ceilings
In our original design we planned to use birch plywood on the ceilings to give the house more texture and warmth. Time and budget made us switch to drywall ceilings but I still may put up plywood ceilings in some areas next winter.
Check out link below to see how they did it. I may use 4x4 sheets to go along with the 4x4 grid in the concrete floors.
Check out link below to see how they did it. I may use 4x4 sheets to go along with the 4x4 grid in the concrete floors.
I like the way this design uses some of the exterior galvalume as an interior accent. It makes a nice transition between the gray concrete floors and the plywood ceiling. 
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Conduit Railings
Railings made with electrical conduit have a modern-industrial look and are simple enough for a DIY builder.
This is a very nice interior application made with hardwood posts and horiziontal galvanized conduit
This is a very nice interior application made with hardwood posts and horiziontal galvanized conduit
This next one is an outdoor application built with custom made aluminum posts. The conduit has been powder coated to match the posts. 
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A detail showing the posts 
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A few other designs showing outdoor railings constructed with wood + conduit
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Mesh Railings
The first two designs are done with hog fencing. As the name implies, the mesh is typically used to create hog pens.
You will notice that there are more horizontal bars at the top on both designs - this is typically put at the bottom of the pen to keep the hogs snouts in the pen. But they have turned them over. The heavy welded wire will be very durable, and its at least as transparent as a cable rail installation.
We used 3" coated deck screws on each end front and back of the top rail and the bottom rail. No fasteners at all for the "hog panels" the top, bottom and posts were dadoed and the panels fit right in the groove. Fit the panel in the bottom and sides and then when the top rail goes on it firms it right up, they will not be going anywhere!
You will notice that there are more horizontal bars at the top on both designs - this is typically put at the bottom of the pen to keep the hogs snouts in the pen. But they have turned them over. The heavy welded wire will be very durable, and its at least as transparent as a cable rail installation.
We used 3" coated deck screws on each end front and back of the top rail and the bottom rail. No fasteners at all for the "hog panels" the top, bottom and posts were dadoed and the panels fit right in the groove. Fit the panel in the bottom and sides and then when the top rail goes on it firms it right up, they will not be going anywhere!
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Texas Plat House by Gregory La Varda
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This one is from Modfrugal, one of my favotite websites.
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These next three were built using 4" woven wire mesh. It is a bit more substantial than the hog fencing. 
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Using Culverts or Stocktanks as Raised Planters
The first two pictures show raised planters made from plastic drainage culvert.
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Here are some ideas for using galvanized steel culverts as raised planters
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Stock tanks are used for watering livestock. They are designed to be watertight and to last for decades outdoors. They can be used to construct raised planters or pools.
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