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Building Material

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jayrod247
  3/14/2018 18:13 EST

Has anyone used Covintec or Emmedue M2? What are the cons using that type of panels and what is the difference between them? How many years have you had them materials?

elduendegrande
  3/16/2018 09:41 EST

A neighbor used the foam and wire stuff for his upstairs and it looks good several years later. As with brick and block, the foam is only a filler, not a structural element. I think people would hesitate to use it for first story for fear of theft, but if the site is secure it seems it would work fine.

A lot of new technology is slowly coming into use, even in the countryside, including a preformed structural galvanized steel form/ceiling for pouring the second story floor.

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atz111
  3/16/2018 10:32 EST

Not exactly.. If built correctly a cement block wall does provided structural strength. If you build to "spec", you do not really need.. But down here, much is done by a good guess and what grandpa did. so some extra is most often a good idea.. So if you want to use the foam, need to be sure the columns are done correctly and spaced properly.

feliceb
  3/16/2018 11:14 EST

Another question:
What is a white wash paint or paint that is very water and wind resistant at the beach.Or is it necessary to do white wash every year?
Thank you most kindly.
feliceB

atz111
  3/16/2018 11:33 EST

The white wash is just that....limestone mix. if you use that you will need to do every year as washes off. Used by locals as it is really cheap. You can also paint with decent paint or better waterproof paint...costs more but last a long time and protects better. The mortar and blocks on a wall do need protection from water.

feliceb
  3/16/2018 11:58 EST

Atz111: Thank you very much...we are leaning to the better paint as the architectural structure is not an easy one. WE have seen the house since 2015 in various stages and commented that the white wash comes off easily compared to the paint used at the hotel where we stay. One last question is where is the best place to buy good paint/
Thanking you again for your help
feliceB

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elduendegrande
  3/16/2018 18:00 EST

There are several brands that sell good paints, some that claim to be water proof. Best to browse at Sinsa but then you may want to purchase elsewhere for price and convenience. Elastomeric roofing treatments are also available.

Sur, Modelo, Comex, Lanco, and Corona are some of the major brands.

Much of the population is locked in the culture of cheap, so see locally what the well-off, foreigners, and NGOs are using.

johnchip
  3/16/2018 19:12 EST

Be prepared to pay $30-40 per gallon for a good paint, the same cost as in the US. As to where to buy...Sinsa is a good start, but many good paint stores around. Do your online homework as to brand and paint type.

feliceb
  3/16/2018 20:00 EST

Thank you so much for the information.
feliceB

feliceb
  3/16/2018 20:04 EST

Elduendegrande,
Thank you so much for the information ..we are trying to know what we need and where we can get things as we get closer to final closing on the house:)
We truly appreciate all information given.
feliceB

feliceb
  3/16/2018 20:04 EST

Elduendegrande,
Thank you so much for the information ..we are trying to know what we need and where we can get things as we get closer to final closing on the house:)
We truly appreciate all information given.
feliceB

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elduendegrande
  3/17/2018 09:26 EST

It's a learning curve. When I first started out the welder I worked with specified Corona Anitcorosivo for metal. Well, it worked but didn't hold up real well. Now I use fastdry. I also started using galvanized iron only for the property in cloud forest and anything within 18 inches of the ground in Esteli. It costs more, but since you don't have to paint it the difference isn't so great. Local wisdom is to let it rust or repaint/ replace it all the time. I have also started using a grey primer under the finish coat on some things. I also found my way to the local Sur store, where their paints are cheaper than at Sinsa.
Near the ocean I would look at galvanized everything.
Sinsa picked up on the Ace hardware marketing--high prices, good selection, fairly knowledgeable staff, and frequent sales. Sign up for their free membership thing, get to know 1 or 2 salespeople who look bright and motivated. They are authorized to give you discounts on some things when they realize you are a serious buyer. Also, they can go online and order stuff from Managua, saving you the hassle of chasing all over town for stuff you may never find.
That being said, unless it is on sale, common stuff I buy from the other shops if it is cheaper (same brand and model). el Halcon has also moderized its stores and is worth looking at.
A neighbor did all his finish work (ceiling fans, etc) by buying at Oriental in Managua.

johnchip
  3/17/2018 09:34 EST

"The quality of paint is not strained. It falleth from the shelf above upon the counter beneath. It is twice taxed. It is taxed by him that makes and the government that takes."

feliceb
  3/17/2018 09:34 EST

Elduendegrande

Thank you again, you are a wealth of information and you are so right ,it is a learning curve. We have bought a house that is already built . We will make changes as we go along, but the main concern now is to repaint the surround walls and the structure .
thank you again
feliceB

feliceb
  3/17/2018 10:11 EST

johnchip:
eloquently stated:)

elduendegrande
  3/19/2018 10:22 EST

Jayrod--El Halcon carries these materials, best to talk to them directly. their website says little. Styrofoam is called poroplast here. Also try Sinsa as they carry modern stuff.
In any case, find a mason who has some experience . Even if the learning curve is short, change is slow .
The neighbor who used this stuff is from mga and visits his weekend place seldom. People from mga tend to have higher standards in construction than country people so they will chance new technologies. In the boonies, the construction people have occasional access to training from vendors like Sinsa, but they often lack experience and are practicing on your nickel.

johnchip
  3/19/2018 10:39 EST

Elduendegrande is right on this; construction laborers work with their limited knowledge and are not open to things outside their purvue. If there is a 'Nica language barrier', I find it most when trying to tell the guys who are working on the house what I want. They shake their head, say yes, then do it their way. They will not take responsibility for their mistakes and it is even harder then to make them understand it must be changed/corrected. I might suggest you find some local new construction particularly in a new compound being built. Ask to talk to the jefe or gerente. They likely will be the one who is up on newer construction materials and may steer you in the right direction.

atz111
  3/19/2018 11:26 EST

True about the learning curve. The issue is that if you are building or remodeling you really cannot afford to be somewhere in the middle of the curve as you are likely doing this once and ill have to live with it a long time.. When you are done and then learn that what you did is screwed up or could have been done a lot better it is too late. So this means a lot more investigation on your part to get on the curve yourself....like the old adgae measure twice, cut once....

feliceb
  3/19/2018 12:53 EST

atz111
Well said!

feliceb
  3/19/2018 12:53 EST

atz111
Well said!

dollyd
  3/25/2018 08:51 EST

The best advice I can give is BE THERE, every day while they work. That is the only way you will have it done the way you want it to be done

jayrod247
  3/25/2018 11:52 EST

-elduendegrande is there anyway I can get his contact information? Or I can give him my info. Trying to find information how the material holds after several years.

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