Will wood work?

[Followthesun]

A friend of mine wants to build a second story home out of modular wood. OK with the municipality.
The first story is owned by his sister and brother - legal papers will be drawn up to protect his investment.
He tells me the cost per square meter is 1/3 that of block and concrete construction - ready in 5-6 days.
Does anyone have any reliable info on using modular wood in this fashion?
1. Names of reputable builders and companies - Villa Salvador, etc.
2. How to protect against insects
3. Any success stories or even disasters

Thanks

[RICHARDandNORA]

You need to use metal studs, not wood which would be destroyed by termites.

[caliguy]

You need to use metal studs, not wood which would be destroyed by termites.

agreed, go with aluminum frame and drywall. seems to be the construction of choice now.

[chi chi]

Burglars can easily make holes in the walls of a wooden home or burn it down.

Wooden homes also suffer more from the climate. Humidity, hot weather, rain,...

[JanD]

Back in 2004 we constructed a second floor, including kitchen-corner, living/sleeping space, of abt 6 x 8 mts of laminated wood, supported by a frame of wooden beams: self supporting floor, walls, roof (wooden sheets with on top corrugated plastic sheets as a rain protected layer).
Partly painted, more for "looks" than for protection.
We remodeled the first floor (originally made of adobe) in brick and concrete with an outdoor (space-saving and privacy) concrete staircase to the second floor.

Situated in Chorrillos/Lima so quite close to the sea....
It lasted without any problem (moisture, "rain", insects and other threats) until the end of 2007 when a blasting fire destroyed the whole block of houses including that of my sister in law.

However, if I would have to do it again, I would probably use for the second floor drywall (double layer, with space between the two layers, for insulation purposes and to hide electricity wiring, et cetera).

However, I would not suggest the outer walls of the first floor to be made of wood or drywall, because of the vulnerability of the material.
For the outer walls of the first floor I would prefer a brick, a concrete, a mixed brick/concrete or similar construction....

Please keep us informed of your choices/experiences!

[teamoperu]

Burglars can easily make holes in the walls of a wooden home or burn it down.

You forgot the boogieman who comes around after dark and burns your house down... and you also forgot about the havoc the Three Little Piggies can do to weak structures

[panman]

Burglars can easily make holes in the walls of a wooden home or burn it down.

You forgot the boogieman who comes around after dark and burns your house down... and you also forgot about the havoc the Three Little Piggies can do to weak structures

The three little Piggies were INNOCENT!!!!!!!
It was the Big Bad Wolf who was guilty.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/eft/eft15.htm

[teamoperu]

Burglars can easily make holes in the walls of a wooden home or burn it down.

You forgot the boogieman who comes around after dark and burns your house down... and you also forgot about the havoc the Three Little Piggies can do to weak structures

The three little Piggies were INNOCENT!!!!!!!
It was the Big Bad Wolf who was guilty.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/eft/eft15.htm

mea culpa
So one needs to fear boogiemen behind every tree in Peru who will burn your house down and wolves who will huff and puff and blow your house down. Poor little Piggies.

[ironchefchris]

They're isn't really anything to burgle in a burned down home. That would make the person an arsonist, not a burglar. Do random cases of arson happen simply because someone comes across a home built of wood? Usually there's a motive behind arson; demonstration of power, extremism, excitement, concealment of another crime (murder, theft, etc.), or insurance fraud. Is arson common in Peru?

[JanD]

What abt going back to the topic?

[teamoperu]

One needs to do what one needs to do to correct chi chi misinformation. He did state that burglars burn down your house in Peru. I am sure it is with such frequency that it must be the number one priority in house design as per the OP and clearly the most relevant answer ever. Right?

[ironchefchris]

I guess it did go a bit off topic when the subject turned to burglars making holes in walls and burning down houses. Apologies for further contributing to the thread going off track, but since arson was mentioned I was curious as to whether it was prevalent in Peru and since it was already mentioned in the thread I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask about it here since the OP already received three good responses instead of creating a seperate 'burglary and burning down homes' thread. Pardon my interweb faux pas.

[Followthesun]

RichardandNora, Caliguy

Metal studs are a good suggestion.
But the rest of the structure/walls will be wood, so still a problem?
I saw the other day a product that looked like cement on drywall, used for the outside walls of a home.
Any reputable builders who might have info and options for this project?

Thanks

[caliguy]

RichardandNora, Caliguy

Metal studs are a good suggestion.
But the rest of the structure/walls will be wood, so still a problem?
I saw the other day a product that looked like cement on drywall, used for the outside walls of a home.
Any reputable builders who might have info and options for this project?

Thanks

you can buy the aluminum studs at Sodimac or Maestro, and install your wood paneling as you would with drywall. i would recommend treating the wood before application, or painting it with oil base paint to protect from the elements. as RichardandNora stated, the termites will eat it up.

[Followthesun]

Thanks for the help.
My main issues are with the - outside walls.
The structure will be in a position where doing any work to the side walls will be difficult due to neighbors.
Any idea what the cost per square meter is for standard block and cement?

Thanks

[barry james]

A drywall structure is certainly the way to go.

I am responsible for the F-Book page Bar the Builder, we are a team of European and American tradesmen working here in Lima. We are all well experienced in building these structures and have just finished a 3 room extension to a house in San Isidro in drywall and are currently adding a second storey to a house in Miraflores in Drywall.

Please feel free to get in touch with me and we can discuss your project in greater detail.

Regards,

Barry.

[Followthesun]

Barry,

As an expert starting to grow a construction business in Peru, I feel readers would value your opinion on the topics I have mentioned as the OP.

1. Using wood for the outside walls?
2. Using cement board or other similar materials for the outside walls.
Note - I am a believer in drywall for the inside - but this can wait to after the exterior walls are completed.

This is necessitated by only having a small budget to work with. There may be other readers who are in similar situation and would welcome some professional advice.

Best wishes for your company.
I have sent you a PM to schedule a chat.

Thanks

[barry james]

Hi Followthe sun,

I also sent you a PM regarding a meeting.

To answer point A, using wood. This is not something I would personally use as there are better products available to build with, not just better but also require less maintenance.

B, I am not sure why you would not use drywall for the exterior of your project.

There are different types of drywall, all of which have a different function. There is one designed especially for exterior walls. These sheets of drywall once erected correctly and properly plastered and painted would be perfect for what you need.

I sent you my cell no. call and I will help and advise you as much as I can.

Regards,

Bar.