CountryPlans Forum

first time post here,,so hopefully the photos will work...

I have really enjoyed this site and thought i would share what i am tinkering on....I am building a small cabin in 2 parts..the first part is the icosa dome room and then will be attached to a more typical structure. The icosa is being built beside my house and then i will move it to the site...

the second part of the cabin is still being designed.

ok,,some photos of the basic frame....
I am using starplate connectors with preset angles..
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S6Lb0uywCcI/AAAAAAAAACM/5vmDuKITiZg/s1600/icosa%2Bframe.jpg)

it looks like the photos is working so i will post 2 more..

the next is the actual base.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S6LcDdBwkvI/AAAAAAAAACU/YAxWC1X9vPo/s1600/icosa%2Bbase.jpg)


and this is where i am at as of yesterday....project is on hold till this snow goes away again.....

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S6Lcd_bCW1I/AAAAAAAAACc/OSOxtTmlMxc/s1600/floor%2Bjoists.jpg)

w* to the forum, Kris.   Thanks for sharing your project and and we will be looking forward to more pix as you progress.

Ditto what Glenn said.   w*

 w*

Interesting project. I'm curious to see how it turns out.

i am also interested in how it will turn out,,..
it is an experiment..
i think putting windows in will be interesting,....

i will keep posting more pictures in the future....my project might be on hold till the sunshine comes back,,looks like more snow this week..

Question:{for whomever knows the answer} 
I plan on insulating the floor in the future..i am going to have a crawl space...do i need to put a vapour barrier in???  the crawl space will be about 2ft high and most likely skirted sides... i saw a link on the web about laying a vapour barrier right on the ground..does that make any sense. ??

If you are going to close it in by a skirting by all means.  I would also add a couple of vents in the skirting.  They make those which open and close by the temperature so you do not have to manually do it when the climate changed. 

 [cool]

[cool]

it does seem that windows will be "interesting" as you put it

thanks for sharing with us. Looks like a neat project!!
Jeff

ok,,,so it was nice out and i was able to work on the floor...it used 4 sheets of plywood, with little left over.. i added some extra strength between the joists...the floor seems nice and sturdy.....
then i put the side walls back on, secured it to the floor base and then mounted the roof frame.  now it is ready for the door function....and then onto adding extra struts in the walls and roof.
i need to hunt for windows now.

i also attached a photo of the final location.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S6eKB0sAbOI/AAAAAAAAACk/WlWGjG4OujY/s1600/flooring1.jpg)

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S6eKCV_IL9I/AAAAAAAAACs/Qgsi-i_njHY/s1600/flooring%2B2.jpg)

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S6eKCqXrZFI/AAAAAAAAAC0/yFDtyCZ32YA/s1600/flooring3.jpg)

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S6eKCx1GgyI/AAAAAAAAAC8/deSy5DI6dMw/s1600/building%2Bsite.jpg)

That will look really cool on that landscape.  Where is the site that your building.. the land looks awesome. 

the final location for the project will be along the north saskatchewan river...looking to the west...

That's interesting looking.  How do you put siding on something like that?

i havent put siding on yet, so i dont know,,ha ha....from what i can tell, it's like most any other project, with the recommendation  of cove molding at the corners...i will post more when i get there....

i do have a foundation question..

the area i am building in is well drained, sandy and rocky..

i am considering using railway ties, since i have a bunch of them..  i am thinking about using 4 foot railway ties and sink them 2 ft. the other 2 feet would stick above ground and i could continue working off of that.
the final building will be skirted

does anyone have any thoughts on this..

The bottom of the RR ties should be below the frost line.  When I see the words "north saskatchewan river" it leads me to think the RR ties might need to be in deeper than just 24"

Your other option would be to build on skids of some sort, but the building might move around a bit when the soil freezes.

Interesting project...  Keep those pictures coming!

I'm a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba. A few years ago I spent 6 weeks there building a large deck and addition at by sister's. The city rules called for a 6 foot deep pier.  So either do that or build it on a nice sturdy skid set and be prepared to jack and shim as necessary.

My shed in the Jemez is built on 6x6 PT timber skids. It moves a little as the ground freezes and then thaws. I built it with enough clearance around the door though. As well I built the door like a gate and placed a diagonal tension rod with turnbuckle corner to corner. That gives me a little adjustment. However I was not worrying about having a perfect weather seal.

well...more stuff to think about.... i am still leaning towards using railway ties, and if i do i could easily sink them 6ft and that still leaves 2 feet sticking out of the ground....the frost line is usually around 4ft here..and once again i am in a very sandy and rocky area,,,none of that black rich soil to worry about....

i have been looking at those sono tubes and some concrete options.  does anyone have a rough price estimate for making a 8 or 10 inch wide /6ft deep concrete tube pier..???   i saw the basic tubes at home depot for around 10.00...{the super fancy ones were around $50/60.00..i wont be using those}

A cylinder with radius r units and height h units has a volume of V cubic units given by
(http://www.mathsteacher.com.au/year9/ch14_measurement/18_cylinder/cylind1.gif)

OR online calculator
http://www.referencedesigner.com/calc/cal_07.php


QUIKRETE
80# = .60 cu ft
60# = .45 cu ft
40# = .30 cu ft

That should help you do the calculations

thanks.....

Kris your sono tubes only need to be above ground.  The concrete in the hole is self supported.  I would put them at least 6" below the surface and anchor them where they will be.  That is providing that you dig or auger a fairly uniform hole.

thanks everyone for the input....i am still not completely settled on how i should do my foundation.. some of the other river dwellers have been telling me to just build it on skids since the building is so small and it has no amenities. the brother in-law {architect in training} also figured i should do a skid for this project....

so if you had to choose between building off a skid, or building off of deck piers, which would you choose........??????????

as for the project,, now i am on the hunt for windows.

thanks again everyone,,and i certainly enjoy seeing everyones projects.............

For what you are describing I would probably do skids.  This way it also gives you possibility of moving it and the property as you try out new spots to park it

here are some more progress shots of the door function and the starting of the window framing.

after working for the day on the icosa project, i jumped in my new truck with my girlfriend and headed over to a friends for dinner....lost control, hit a steep ditch and flipped the truck..i wasnt speeding, wasnt drinking, the conditions were fine and we are puzzled......we are both ok, but the project is on hold till i am more mobile again..
(it should be a speedy recovery)..my left arm is not so functional.....at least i still have an arm.....
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S654L3y0yDI/AAAAAAAAADU/i6uNma_ZGhI/s1600/door+function.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S650kqYDNQI/AAAAAAAAADM/mV_MGg5pl3o/s1600/window+struts.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S656PUlc7LI/AAAAAAAAADc/99QwYpuJ5q0/s1600/ranger+crash.jpg)

be safe out there people if your driving around on back-roads or to your cabins/building sites.....

Ouch!!

Wholy SHIT Im glad everyone is ok.  Good Luck hope you get better soon. 

Sorry to hear about that  :(  Pretty scary!  Get better fast.

this is the start of my window framing,,,the angles have been interesting, but not to bad to work with...
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S7gRWMu7HrI/AAAAAAAAADs/V9PCYZc7E7A/s1600/window2.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S7gRWSM2E3I/AAAAAAAAAD0/8lwotZKIDW0/s1600/window+3.jpg)

That sucks about the truck, Kris.  Glad you are OK.

oh ya,,just a side note,,,the truck was $20,000.00 damage...so she is in a salvage yard getting parted out..and now the hunt for another truck begins....

An expensive trip! But if it is only money and stuff that can be replaced. Best wishes for a speedy recovery on all fronts.

Fun project, BTW!

5 windows framed up.one more to go..i think the change in heights will make this part of the cabin really neat when its on site.
i am doing 4 sealed units and 2 sliders for air flow....
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S7q10qxnCNI/AAAAAAAAAD8/nXzgNsd6QX8/s1600/5windows.jpg)

looks great!  Glad your ok also

I love seeing projects like yours on here ..thanks. for sharing

i started the walls....the very custom walls.....ha ha...
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S8O2AfG4wFI/AAAAAAAAAEU/0eIdOFjSJ2s/s1600/1tri.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S8O2AH0za9I/AAAAAAAAAEM/kQFLugHnOeE/s1600/3tri.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S8O1_zlwm1I/AAAAAAAAAEE/v7uBm48RMJQ/s1600/4tri.jpg)

Do those brown bottles(bottom left) help you visualize the angles in your head?

Cool looking project!

with a project like this, i need all the help i can get...ha ha

ended up doing 7 windows...5 sealed and 2 sliders..{rough cuts until on location}...
i put the roof struts and braces in today,,,and tomorrow i will start on the roof....
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S8lAHtXmeaI/AAAAAAAAAE0/wYyiWfXSKt4/s1600/ebony+and+icosa.jpg)

Ebony, my building inspector....

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S8lAHT0T8PI/AAAAAAAAAEs/bLBOG9KUfaU/s1600/roof1.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S8lAG7BQwlI/AAAAAAAAAEk/YXVhXc7oF7s/s1600/roof2.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S8lAGj_DqbI/AAAAAAAAAEc/38TCbwRt47o/s1600/wallsand+roof.jpg)

Sooo cool!  Looks like a sculpture.  I'm curious, are you figuring out all fo those funky angles mathmatically, with computer software, or just on-the-fly construction style?  Can't wait to see more.

my calculator and i have tried to figure out some angles,,,otherwise i just kinda figure it out on site..trial and error....the parallel struts are all based on about the same measurement..the hardest part is setting 2 angles up  for a single cut and then making sure the board's next cut is done properly..or you get 2 nice cuts but one is opposite of how it should be,....the harderst of all the angles have been figuring out a strut from the parallel wall struts to the first level of the roof board..{the boards that run along the windows}....

well......today is roof day...time to get to work.......

well....it was a very hot day..keep in mind that there was ice on the project 2 days ago.....

anyways...i got the roof on today,,,it was tricky in some spots but over all it went smooth..the bottom overhang will need to be adjusted a little, but i am happy with the progress.....

thanks to my dad for lending a hand..roofing alone would not go so smooth......
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S8pWzO9TfzI/AAAAAAAAAE8/IMqMAN7MIaY/s1600/roof3.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S8pWzVUMEcI/AAAAAAAAAFE/fPD4dl9ginY/s1600/roof4.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S8pWznoburI/AAAAAAAAAFM/zeDfG_lLoBI/s1600/roof+5.jpg)

Coming along nicely - good work! :D :D :D

the icosa moved to its new home,,,,,...here are some pictures...
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S9cDoJ8mEuI/AAAAAAAAAFk/fk5eMhuFRN0/s1600/m2.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S9cDo0OyWBI/AAAAAAAAAFs/27J6bRiO_3k/s1600/m3)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S9cDpZUMGBI/AAAAAAAAAF8/BhXSO8ihISg/s1600/m5.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S9cD7uxQfXI/AAAAAAAAAGE/FRnNnwlp638/s1600/m6.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S9cD79UHIyI/AAAAAAAAAGM/5UHWVVKVIZM/s1600/m7.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S9cD8Y4xdbI/AAAAAAAAAGU/nZBG2fYOyIs/s1600/m8.jpg)

 The View.....
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S9eyEqdvZEI/AAAAAAAAAGc/SVWAOG8wNhI/s1600/theview.jpg)

awesome!  that is all  ;D

well...thanks for that..there is more to come,,,i now need to join it somehow to part 2... i am thinking of building something kinda like the "manshed", of which is posted in the forum..the join is kinda odd  since the icosa has a 8ft square opening and the attachment will be a 12 x 14 {plus roof differences}.....hmmmm.. something for me to ponder..

 start of part 2 of the project....12 x 14 ,
lots of work but she is coming along........
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S-eV-si43AI/AAAAAAAAAGk/ruhcF8N73jg/s1600/floorsupports)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S-eV_JK1A4I/AAAAAAAAAGs/W1LVIEV45k4/s1600/finishedflooring.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S-eV_tRK__I/AAAAAAAAAG0/ML0BHRkGanU/s1600/wall2.jpg)


i think i read on here somewhere that it always rains when it is time to sheet your floor..well instead off rain i got hail.....and then the sun came out.........

well..its been a sunny week..i have been camping over and working hard...

the rafters are mostly all on..kind of a birds-mouth thing happening on both sides..and then fastened with those h1 simpson brackets.  next on the list is to add a rafter extension{overhang on the east} and then connect the roof to the icosa.......and then go fishing..ha ha
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S-we_BjUlrI/AAAAAAAAAG8/0vS_MyJJqeM/s1600/rafters.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/S-we_QHk81I/AAAAAAAAAHE/J2Rcdky2Qr0/s1600/rafters2.jpg)

Kris I have been watching your project as you progress.  I am not familiar with that particular design and was wondering why the walls of the Icosa are not plumb.  I am sure there is a logical explanation but to me it sort of looks how should I say Odd that way.  I guess I am more of a "box" builder.   

I think it's supposed to appear unusual.  It's hard for us guys who like to have 90 degree corners.  :-\

I didn't know if it had to do with structural support in the design or a visual difference.  I will have to "google" it to see them.

the shape i went with is an icosahedron..it is a unique shape...it is artistically pleasing since it is much like a cupola, and is structurally stronger then a rectangle building and also has more cubic feet.
i wanted to explore shapes outside of the rectangle...and figured the icosa was a good starting point.. they can get much more complicated as you increase them into a sphere.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icosahedron     this link talks abit about the shape...
and this link shows different variations on geo-domes..

http://www.gardendome.com/

thanks for checking in on the project...

ive been away for a month, so she has been sitting and waiting for her tin roof to go on..,,,....and getting the rest of the windows in....,,,,slowly but surely.....
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TDdJYJUIOKI/AAAAAAAAAHU/J33SkWlSsag/s1600/icosaaddon.jpg)

i got the roof joined to the icosa and i went with shingles this time around instead of tin...
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TGF902LRFiI/AAAAAAAAAHc/wHEBcG-akLc/s1600/roofjoin.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TGF91ZWUl7I/AAAAAAAAAHk/jWCtdfLYX1k/s1600/roofleantoo.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TGF91h9OTXI/AAAAAAAAAHs/NzR4CPzWjDE/s1600/roofflash.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TGF92G9q97I/AAAAAAAAAH0/uxujXiP_12g/s1600/icosashingles.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TGF92ZM-JtI/AAAAAAAAAH8/Z8jayG83r50/s1600/roofpeakview.jpg)

looking good kris!

The shingles are pretty much done,,,and we got the 6ft x 5ft window in today...
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TGgKT32QE-I/AAAAAAAAAIE/sstmhDej8co/s1600/cabin+window+large.jpg)

started the mesh wiring...so far no cuts...ha ha...
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TG1fmUVCh0I/AAAAAAAAAIM/KHclhKyzHl8/s1600/wire+on+wall.jpg)

this is the north wall....i began skirting the building with treated plywood,.and adding gravel along the structure...

My neighbor built this a few years ago. It has one tarp wall, I suspect to make it legal.

Is this also an Icosa?

(http://solarburrito.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img_1190-e1282677306701.jpg)

no..that is not an icosa...but it is in the ball park...if you look at the web site links i put above, they describe icosa's...technically speaking, my building is not a pure icosa since i added the door function..but i still consider it one.....

some new photos.....i think the rough coat of stucco will be on th is week...to much rain lately....
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TJafxojPzTI/AAAAAAAAAJE/nSck2om4m7o/s1600/cabin6.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TJafLwINzBI/AAAAAAAAAI8/SVFOuRcnATk/s1600/cabin5.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TJafLJLidjI/AAAAAAAAAI0/DCjzrjtKzW4/s1600/cabin4)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TJafK7vaZrI/AAAAAAAAAIs/XRM55RCq-Zc/s1600/cabin3.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TJafKjJm38I/AAAAAAAAAIk/IN0WlGAYJ0s/s1600/cabin2.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TJafKBA8pwI/AAAAAAAAAIc/tk74ubwxkio/s1600/cabin1.jpg)

Kris just wondering what your interior wall covering will be on the dome portion.  It will have a somewhat indentation at each of the angled sections. 

Cool project!

yeah,,not sure just how i will sheet the interior dome walls just yet...actually i am not to worried about it,,as long as the building is winterized for now...the other part of the cabin will be sheeted with thin osb or plywood{most likely}....i am not a fan of drywall...
working with angles has been very interesting for my first project.......it has given me lots to think about..

Kris if you went w/drywall then you could tape it just as an inside corner only not at the 90 deg bevel.  Anything else you would use you would have to make a trim strip where the two materials meet. I hate drywall too but sometimes it is the lesser of two evils.  ;)

I like it! [cool]  Back during the dark ages, I took three years of drafting and our first class project was designing and building a geodesic dome (we just KNEW it would be the next BIG THING in building).  finished it with seven layers of chicken wire and a thick masonry slurry.  Hope yours catches on better than ours.

frazoo

do you have any photos of your project...i would like to see them.....

photo of the base coat.............(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TKu95JqC2jI/AAAAAAAAAJM/kXlFN6y-fZY/s1600/stucco+rough.jpg)

not sure where my original post went..anyways,,,it was a long winter and now i am back working on the icosa dome....

just started to tile the floor, before the wood stove goes in...and then the rest of the floor will be laminate.

also a shot of the crocus that are now done for the year....
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jfEo_Ag4SJc/TKu95JqC2jI/AAAAAAAAAJM/kXlFN6y-fZY/s1600/stucco+rough.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wj9aszozliU/TchYR47jIGI/AAAAAAAAAJc/vhLcIKKoEV4/s1600/cabin%2Bwood%2Bstove%2Bfloor.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xdygebdQiJQ/TchYSFHYXhI/AAAAAAAAAJk/3D6QKFiccQE/s1600/crocus%2B4.jpg)

I merged the new topic to the old original one.

thanks...

Wow, I've never seen so many Pasque flowers!! I'm excited if I can find a dozen of them in close proximity around here.

Oh, nice looking project too.  :)

Alan

here is one more crocus shot,,,,there were more then i have ever seen this year..they seem to favour the top of the ridges on my property..native unbroke soil...
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BgMz_3-e_nE/TcrsHzVejII/AAAAAAAAAJs/qT0Pf9bIjDk/s1600/crocus2.jpg)

Your tile work looks nice Kris!

Cool project!!

Beautiful tile work!  Neat looking cabin & love the flowers!

thanks for the compliments........

Very cool.  Nice work. 

 i started sheeting the interior with a thin plywood...i like that alot better then hauling drywall out here...

question,,,this is a shot of the wood stove area...the floor tiles are proper thickness...but i am wondering what i should do about the walls...i have thought about fireproof drywall just around the stove for the first 4ft height and the length of the tile area......any other suggestions.....the distance of the stove from the wall will be least 18 inches{is what i am thinking}....


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pgaVrWHkWVo/TeVof9fTa2I/AAAAAAAAAKk/YvibkH7FQP8/s1600/wood%2Bstove%2Barea.jpg)

Take that plywood out, and then place in some concrete board behind the stove.
Then add in some tile or block and your set.

Really depends on the stove -- some stoves (modern ones) don't require any kind of protection behind them if they are the correct distance from the wall, whereas some do.  Best to look at the manual for the stove.

What i did, however, was install hardy board behind my stove just to be safe.  I'll put brick in there (more for looks) and it will both look good and be functional.

(https://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af102/emcvay/Cabin/corner2.jpg)

If I had a couple minutes I would attach a photo.  I raised concrete board off the drywall with a few 2X4's to create an air gap, vented the bottom and out the top so as it warms it will create an updraft, and covered with a mosaic of broken granite and marble. My stove is 32" to the finial, and I went 40". Later, I will trim the top and sides and create a narrow mantel. 1.5" is usually a code sufficient air gap to combustibles, per a local building inspector (old friend of mine and I'm not in his jurisdiction. Keeps us friends!). For the corner-of-the-room position, I did this on 2 sides, although only vented the back as it will be closest to the wall. Simple 2-afternoon project!

alrighty...got the stove in today.....
it is 18 inches from the back corner on the right and 14 inches on the left..just how it worked out......i am still planning on some tin or fireproof drywall...none the less this is where she is.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H5vsaTE3SbM/TesFvIRe0xI/AAAAAAAAAKw/G9r1FzwN6P4/s1600/wood%2Bstove.jpg)

Nice!! I have that exact unit in my living room. Works good. With a medium fire going, and my furnace fan running, keeps my 1400 sq ft upstairs and downstairs warm in -20 C.

Kris I think that the industry standard for clearences is to a combustionable surface.  If you add a non-combustionable surface I would imagine that those clearences could be less.  Just stands to reason. ???

i think the plan is going to be to tile the wall....just the height of the stove and we will see how that goes........its not like anyone is inspecting this project, but i like to keep things as safe as possible..also...being a micro cabin it wont take much to heat the place up quickly.....

thanks for the comments,,

Kris, oljarhead hit the nail right on the head. Clearances vary from stove to stove.

Any modern, EPA stove is required to have a label that shows what is required. The clearance they provide should be for the distance to combustible materials. Note thet placing a non combustible material directly over (in contact) a combustible material does not reduce the required distance. The danger is that the non combustible may under the right circumstances transfer the heat to the combustible material if the fire is run long enough. The 1" air spacing technique works well and more or less reduces clearance distance by a third or so.

here is a photo i found from another small cabin building site...he used metal that is lifted off the wall and it has a air pocket,,and since his clearance was so small he even put bricks around it.....(http://www.small-cabin.com/pic/small-cabin-wood-stove.jpg)

Quote from: Kris on June 08, 2011, 02:48:32 PM
,and since his clearance was so small he even put bricks around it.....(http://www.small-cabin.com/pic/small-cabin-wood-stove.jpg)

I think the primary reason he used bricks was to increase the thermal mass and maintain the heating effect longer.  The stove is quite small and is harder to set for an all night burn.

finally got part one of the floor in......(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nI1HPvJsUTQ/Tfo7GoHBeYI/AAAAAAAAAK4/k-TN_15Sgj4/s1600/new%2Bfloor.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9rGKhC8FzqE/Tfo7G5wqZ2I/AAAAAAAAALA/EU5_W-IO2dM/s1600/new%2Bfloor%2B2.jpg)

The floor looks really nice & I love the slate under the wood stove!

Great work on the floors!

thanks guys....it went pretty good,,,the dome part is going to be trickier..lots of cuts to the end pieces..........

the icosa flooring,,halfway done....
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E04a468ixNA/Tf5JYyolaVI/AAAAAAAAALI/p5Eqob_-wSo/s1600/dome%2Bfloor.jpg)

some winter shots...

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7QleUoLzhEc/Ty1wDnbSq-I/AAAAAAAAAOE/W_Eb_gE8Qvs/s1600/night%2Btime%2Bcabin.jpg)

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7m5LdJdI_w/Ty1wCx1k_9I/AAAAAAAAAN8/xOZnjksoeF0/s1600/night%2Btime%2Bcabin%2B2.jpg)

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q7F7iLBvT24/Ty1wC-0c_XI/AAAAAAAAANo/JJwMS_YydaE/s1600/sunset%2Bcabin.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pMPz7Q9PuJI/Ty1wCjpQejI/AAAAAAAAANg/6GkoeN0OC-4/s1600/moon%2Bcabin.jpg)

I like all the windows in the Icosa room. I wonder how it feels when you walk from the normal room with perpendicular walls into the Icosa room? Does it challenge your senses? Definitely outside the box!  :)

the rooms differ but seem to blend ok...
the lantern lights up the dome much more efficiently.  the main difference is the window placement. i arranged them to have different focal points...so depending where you are sitting you might get a canvas to the sky, one to the river and one to the ground.....i liked the idea of these different view points instead of one massive window to the river... it is all an experiment......
and the purpose of the large window is for passive solar. it really works in such a small space......i now need an over hang to cut the summer sun out!!!