Page 13 - OffGrid East Coast Special Edition 2016

About the Author
“Frank and his wife currently live in Edmonton and have recently bought land in Ship Harbour, NS where they plan to build an of-grid home. They are taking us all on their journey beginning with the research phase through to.well, where ever they happen to end up!”
it takes to erect the shell is also a bonus. However, I’ve also heard there can be some issues with the life of the structure if it’s not built properly.
While straw bale homes are environmentally friendly, I want to make sure I build something that I can pass on to my child. I also quesion the sturdiness of a straw bale house. I can’t help but always think of the three litle pigs and their house made of straw. The winds in Nova Scoia can be quite substanial especially if a tropical storm or hurricane hits and I wonder if it would be able to withstand the sustained winds. Any thoughts on this folks?
Prefab housing
The upside of a prefab house is the short amount of ime to build and being able to customize to it your family’s needs. Whatever style you want can be yours, it is only limited by your imaginaion. They are built to meet all building codes so that is a giganic asset.
However, the cost can be prohibiive and the various people I have spoken to tell me the price can be as much as a regular house to build. I’ve also heard there have been issues of leaking, something I have personally witnessed at a friend’s house.
Tiny Houses and Bunkies
Tiny houses (oten on wheels) and bunkies (a iny house on a foundaion) are now the rage for people who want to unplug from convenional living. A typical home today is around 2,600 square feet, whereas the typical iny house is between 100 and 400 square feet. The plus is that you can build them more cheaply and can customize them to suit your needs. Of course the downside is the limited space you have.
Mud Hut
Last but not least, what about Mud Hut? I’ve seen a few online but I have to admit that I wonder, if I lived in a mud hut would I come out looking like a coal miner inishing a 12 hour shit? I can’t seem to shake that image for some reason.
So, as you can see I can use your help! If anyone has any suggesions or comments or ideas to help us along the way or wants to yell at me with caps lock on, please feel free to contact me at pitman39@hotmail.com.
13 off the grid