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27 viewsThis shows and application using the heavy cement block. In this example it is being used to construct an underground water tank. (18-May-04)dozer
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23 viewsThe cement block is the most common material used in house construction. The blocks are laid in rows, with cement used to fit each block in place. (28-Mar-04)dozer
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23 viewsHere is another type of commonly used window, the grate window. These are the least expensive type of window but are very functional. They are made of glass plates and a metal frame. They do not weather or wear out and are have an opening and closing mechanism that works well with the window screen. The downside of these windows is they are hard to clean and some think not as pretty as wood or aluminum. They are very appropriate for the back of a house and the kitchen. (27-Jun-04)dozer
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22 viewsClose up of superblock construction.dozer
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22 viewsHere is what what should happen. First a square hole is dug which is 1 meter square. Then a base of concrete is poured to keep the rebar pillar frame in place. Then form wood is used to make a large square for a foundation pour up to the ground level. The sizing of this form box will be about 60 centimeters wide. This is an important step as shortcuts will lead to foundation pillars shifting and walls cracking, among other things.

In this case the foundation hole was just 60 centimeters wide. Then a can was used to do the pour. The can was inserted and then dirt was placed around the can. The pour was done and then 5 minutes later the can was lifted out of the ground. This method is commonly used to create the post for a perimeter wall, but if used for a house proper will lead to an substandard structure. (This is what the picture to the left is showing, ie. the can pulled out 5 minutes after the cement pour).

Doing the foundation column like this can cause a lot of settling cracks, and other problems which only time will tell. It just isn't very sturdy. If you compare the house done for a foreigner and that regular Thai house: The house built for a foreigner will be a lot prettier and will be 'finished' off to a foreign standard. It will have things we take for granted -- like a sheetrock ceiling. The Thai house will be much simpler and cheaper (maybe 200,000 Baht or so total cost). But important things like the foundation columns will almost always be done to standard.

What follows are some shots of the standard way of doing foundation columns for a single story building......
dozer
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21 viewsHere is an aluminum window with a cement preformed border frame (which in this shot hasn't been painted yet). These frames are an attractive addition to aluminum windows. (20-Aug-04)dozer
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20 viewsThe superblock.dozer
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20 viewsA shot showing a regular cement block (5 kilograms) compared to a heavy cement block (13 kilograms). (18-May-04)dozer
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20 viewsThis shows a wood window with outside hinges and hooks which are used to keep the window open. I prefer the top and bottom hinge system with wood windows.dozer
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20 viewsMost metal companies do screen doors. They will come and measure and install either a sliding or push to open door like this one. A double door like this would cost about 6,500 Baht installed. The metal pattern used will normally be the same pattern as the window security metal in the house. (23-Aug-04)dozer
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19 viewsA house being constructed from small red bricks.dozer
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19 viewsThe vertical supporting rebar structure has be wired on. The height of the structure depends on the roof height of the house. For an average house the columns are 3 meters tall (above ground) for an overall height of 4 meters.

The vertical metal supports are created from rebar. The vertical long strands are 4 hun full. The horizontal support pieces are typically 3 hun full. This is the structure you see in the following photo which will later have cement poured around it and form the foundation column.
dozer
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