I am redoing the interior of a 69 houseboat and am wondering if there are
any materials I should stay away from (because of the environment,
durability etc). For example I would like to use a dropped ceiling using the
fiberglass panels rather than the (card)board type. Cut them in half and use
2 X 2 panles due to the small area (28 X9). Obviously I can't drop it much.
This type of ceiling can easily be removed if and when upper deck repairs
need to be done etc. What materials are light enough for cupboards etc but
yet strong. Flooring? Seems to me wood floors would take a beating and what
about dampness.

Of course I would really like to hear some of your ideas.

Anyone use any of the eco toilets (eg composting)? LED lighting?

Thanks,
Steve L

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 19:15:36 -0500, "sel1"
wrote:

I am redoing the interior of a 69 houseboat and am wondering if there are
any materials I should stay away from (because of the environment,
durability etc). For example I would like to use a dropped ceiling using the
fiberglass panels rather than the (card)board type. Cut them in half and use
2 X 2 panles due to the small area (28 X9). Obviously I can't drop it much.
This type of ceiling can easily be removed if and when upper deck repairs
need to be done etc. What materials are light enough for cupboards etc but
yet strong. Flooring? Seems to me wood floors would take a beating and what
about dampness.

Of course I would really like to hear some of your ideas.

Anyone use any of the eco toilets (eg composting)? LED lighting?

Hi,

My neigbour has fitted a composting toilet, I can find out some
details if you're interested.

Is there any insulation under the upper deck? If not you could use
panels of isocyanate foam ready laminated to thin plywood, they would
give some insulation and a vapour barrier. Would be worth sealing the
edges with foil tape to stop them crumbling or water getting in.

With cupboards have plenty of insulation or ventilation behind/under
them, or any clothes or even books in them could get damp and mouldy.

Wood is fine for flooring but in areas it may get wet like a shower
room it's well worth treating it with preserver.

What is the hull and upper deck made out of BTW?

cheers,
Pete.

Hi Pete,

Yes I would be interested in more info on the toilet. First hand info is
good on make/model, cost, installation etc and whether it turned out to be a
good idea.

There was insulation in the ceiling, some practically desintigrating from
moisture damage. The insulation looked original and had an unpleasant odor
once I got the ceiling off.

The hull is fiberglass and the decks are glass over wood. The entire cabin
is ~3/8 glass with wood bonded to it to hold panelling, outlets, lights
etc..

Steve

Hi,

My neigbour has fitted a composting toilet, I can find out some
details if you're interested.

Is there any insulation under the upper deck? If not you could use
panels of isocyanate foam ready laminated to thin plywood, they would
give some insulation and a vapour barrier. Would be worth sealing the
edges with foil tape to stop them crumbling or water getting in.

With cupboards have plenty of insulation or ventilation behind/under
them, or any clothes or even books in them could get damp and mouldy.

Wood is fine for flooring but in areas it may get wet like a shower
room it's well worth treating it with preserver.

What is the hull and upper deck made out of BTW?

cheers,
Pete.

I don't know how well this will work with your manufactured house boat but
we used vinyl siding fascia panels for our houseboat's ceilings.
advantages: very light, attractive bead board look, no paint needed, easy to
install with narrow crown staples or brad nailer. This stuff comes in solid
or perforated panels about 8" X16'. It is easy to install over firing strips
about 2-3 feet apart.
However our house boat is pretty much like a stick built "land" house, just
built on a barge. Maybe you can do something with this idea.

--
Ron White
Boat building web address is
www.concentric.net/~knotreel

The ceilings are wood joists so strapping wouldn't be a problem. I will look
into this as an option. Like you say it is light, moisture proof, easy to
work with etc etc but I can't picture the finished look.

Thanks. That what I'm looking for - viable alternatives.


"Ron White" wrote in message
...
I don't know how well this will work with your manufactured house boat but
we used vinyl siding fascia panels for our houseboat's ceilings.
advantages: very light, attractive bead board look, no paint needed, easy
to
install with narrow crown staples or brad nailer. This stuff comes in
solid
or perforated panels about 8" X16'. It is easy to install over firing
strips
about 2-3 feet apart.
However our house boat is pretty much like a stick built "land" house,
just
built on a barge. Maybe you can do something with this idea.

--
Ron White
Boat building web address is
www.concentric.net/~knotreel