Comments on: An Inspiring Approach To Building Pallet Houses

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:42:59 +0000

I’m planning on insulating with scrap foam packing peanuts. Should be very slow and laborious. I bet spray foam would work best because it would fill every nook and cranny. Also… like any structure it will be the air tight seal that will add to the insulating value the most.

By: Philip Wiggs

Philip Wiggs — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:20:00 +0000

Hey,this is really inspiring! I have seen compost bins built this way. Anyone have any ideas on good techniques for insulating pallet built structures? I guess you could fill the interior of the pallet with insulating material. Don’t know the ease or rvalue of this technique though.

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:02:23 +0000

Thanks Bob… It would be much easier in some ways to build with pallets without breaking them down. I’ll try drawing that tonight. I’ve been thinking about diagonals but keep forgetting how important they are. Thanks!

By: robert delay

robert delay — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:15:31 +0000

michael,
having built a woodshed (simple) and a14×20 shed, i might
suggest that you can build by just stacking each pallet
and bolting together, as opposed to building large wall
sized panels. either way requires 2×4 bracing at corners.
using individual pallets in the 40×40 to 40×54 range allows
one person to errect walls pretty much by themselves.
i’ve saved your project so that i and others can follow
your progress. hope you’ll keep everyone posted and
best of luck, bob

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:23:25 +0000

Thanks zippy. I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about this issue too. I should have a prototype wall designed and build soon. In a nutshell I’m thinking of building panels from the short pieces and bolting them together. Then surfacing with tongue and grooved pallet boards attached with screws and adhesive. I may also let in a few diagonals. My biggest concern with building this way is the walls will be heavy because there will be more wood for each linear foot than a normal wall. In fact this is the main reason I’m being careful to pick the right trailer.

By: zippyLaRue

zippyLaRue — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:04:09 +0000

Also keep in mind that you will be towing this – as in moving – on bumpy roads. You really have to be aware of shift and jiggle. By tearing apart the pallets and then using them as raw wood you are building a sounder structure to withstand that. Nothing would suck more than to start down the road and have it fall apart as you drive – doh!

By: Michael Janzen

Michael Janzen — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:10:38 +0000

I think they intend the builder/occupant to then somehow sheet the house with another material. The only other way to do it would be to break up pallets and add more boards like a baton board surface. Or in this case a board on board surface.

By: Liz Stone Abraham

Liz Stone Abraham — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:59:11 +0000

I love the design and the speed at which they can get these homes built. And of course, using the recycled pallets is great. But, without any modification, how does this design protect the inside from rain? Maybe I missed something.