But Would You Live in It?

Maybe not, though James may (pun intended ).

I see no reason for not utilizing plastics in house construction. It is used now in the form of dimensional lumber made from recycled plastics. We see it in 2x lumber and outdoor decking. A house made of 100% plastic could be possible as long as the materials used resemble the natural materials we are familiar with. The plastic would either be made from recycled material or from non-fossil sources like soy beans or similar organic materials. Would I live in one? Sure as long as it didn't look plastic.

Change is happening and we have to except it...a 100% plastic house would indeed be interesting

Mt neighbor raises cows individually in plastic huts until they're a year old.

I'd like a look at a plastic dome house finished throughout in fact I'll live in one as a test for free

I've always thought that plastics would eventaully replace most materials used in housing. In 1984 I invented a product to eliminate drywall with a two step backer panel and snap in finish tile system. After getting the patent I traveled all over and had many meetings with companies trying to get the product to market. I could never get the millions I needed to make the molds for the backer panel in a 4' X 8' size. Also, at the time the injection molding machine would have needed to be 13,000 tons to produce the panel. The largest machine at the time was 5000 ton. However, now they are larger than 20,000 ton.

With the flame retardant fillers of alumina trihydrate and others the product could have been made more flame resistant than drywall. For a product to be applicable to floor, wall, ceiling, and other large cover areas they must be able to pass the Steiner Tunnel test. The test measures the flame spread and smoke density ratings of the materials. Plastics can easily pass the test today.

I wanted to use the product in a manufactured prefabricated panel system where I could construct a whole house in 5 days from the foundation being completed. I didn't want to use modular because of the design restrictions. With my invention it was/is feasible to build a house from foundation to moving in in 5 days.

Many skeptics said that people would not want a tile look on their walls. The system allows for full sheets of finish not just tiles, but could also accommodate the mosaic nuts with 1" square tiles. The tiles could be made in any pattern, print, or color, and could be made to appear three dimensional. The cost in 1984 was comparable to low cost ceramic tile installations but are much more economical today. After the initial install the cost of remodeling is cut in half since the backer panel is permanent and reusable.

If you're interested in more aspects of the product the patent number is 4450664. The tiles could be used on exteriors and replicate brick, siding, stone, and even shingles. It would better serve bars, restaurants, and apartments where their is a need to remodel more frequently. It would be great for basements since mildew resistant fillers could be added to the formulation. The tiles could be used to switch out of one room for another without ever buying more tile and still getting a new look. I just wanted to be able to buy it because I was tired of working with drywall. I still can't buy anything like it to this day.

I believed in it enough to get an architecture degree to help promote the idea. I also built 200+ unit multi family projects over 12 years and was involved in over 21 different projects. One of the builders I worked for was interested enough to help me with a mold to produce a prototype, but we parted company before going any further with it.

thats pretty ingenious... I love it.. can we see some photos of installed units please? chrisg288@hotmail.com

Chris

I could easily see a properly engineered _{fiber filled plastic and proper cross section design} extruded box section cut to desired length, fitted with end caps, doors and windows cut in as needed. Maybe a couple of stiffeners here and there. A lot like a common manufactured home except plastic. They could be stacked in any number of configurations. The industry is doing it now. Fire codes and toxicity might not allow it.

I live in a house fully made with bricks -originally- however I built a new extra area with ARMACELL a composite material of steel wires estructure -insulated with PS foam slabs in between- and finished with textured plaster (in both sides) and I tell you that I preffer improved new materials than tradicional sand bricks and blocks, concrete or even the wooden homes.

Right now I am in the process to produce recycled plastic BRICKS and blocks -for two story homes (popular or residence no matter)- and prototypes promises a grate XXI-C future.

Homes may be done with recycled materials (plastics or glass, or even composites as or plastiwood, plastiglass, etc.) an it is very good for the green enviroment, may last longer, are thermal and sound insulated, are lighter, are flame retardant, and earthquake safer,

Why should we reject or avoid such opportunity to have a better house for less money.