TIPS FOR BUILDING FOR THE TROPICS IN GUANACASTE 1) ALLOW FOR 40% OF YOUR LIVING AREA TO BE LOCATED OUTSIDE UNDER ROOF PROTECTING ONE FROM THE ELEMENTS, MOST NOTABLE OF WHICH ARE THE SUN´S RAYS AND TROPICAL RAINS. 2) ALLOW FOR SOME UNCOVERED OUTSIDE SPACE TO BE ´´OPEN TO THE SKY´´, ALLOWING FOR YOUR SPIRIT TO SOAR UNDER STARRY NIGHTS. 3) KEEP ALL GLAZING OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT AS TO NOT CREATE A ´´CONVECTION OVEN´´ EFFECT UNLESS YOUR AIM IS TO COOK YOURSELF AND OR IF YOU LIKE HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS. 4) ALLOW FOR AN OUTDOOR FIREPLACE/CHIMINEY AREA THAT WORKS AS A BARBEQUE AS WELL. THIS WORKS AS AN EXCELLENT INSECT REPELENT DURING THE RAINY SEASON. 5) UTILIZE AIR CONDITIONING IN AT LEAST ONE ROOM 24/7 DURING THE RAINY SEASON IN ORDER TO KEEP CLOTHES, BOOKS AND OTHER FRAGILE ITEMS FREE OF MOLD. 6) CREATE CROSSDRAFTS AND VENTILATION THROUGHOUT THE HOME IN ORDER MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH AND AVOID HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS. 7) DO NOT USE DRYWALL ANYWHERE AS THIS ROTS WITH TIME. 8) DO NOT THINK ABOUT USING A GARAGE UNLESS YOU ENJOY MOLD; A CARPORT IS BETTER AND CAN BE SECURED JUST LIKE A GARAGE USING WROUGHT IRON AND OR OTHER MATERIALS THAT ALLOW FOR VENTILATION. 9) PROPERLY PLAN A DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR YOUR PROPERTY KEEPING NEIGHBORS IN MIND. 10) DO NOT PLAN ON A PLANTING A GRASS LAWN UNLESS YOU WANT LIKE HIGH WATER BILLS; BETTER TO USE NATIVE DROUGHT RESISTANT PLANTS, CACTI, JAPONESE ROCK GARDENS, AND NAVAJO INDIAN BURIAL SITE TYPE SCENARIOS. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE FROM NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE TEND TO BUILD HOMES HERE THAT MIRROR WHAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES AND OFTEN TIMES TO THEIR DISMAY, THEY FIND THEMSELVES WITH SKY HIGH UTILITY BILLS OR TEND TO FIND THEMSELVES WITH HEAT EXHAUSTION AND OR MOLD POISONING. THIS PLACE IS NOT USER FRIENDLY SO LET THE USER BEWARE. |