|
Author
|
Topic: building your own castle
|
wurdsmiff
unregistered
|
posted 02-08-2001 07:16 AM
I think this is the first topic ever to reach two pages, certainly the longest I can recall. Surely an excuse to talk of drink again! I'll have a pint of St Andrews ale Ralph. Since it's your topic and forum it must be your round!!!------------------
Demeure par la verite
Visit my web-site at
www.castlesontheweb.com/members/wurdsmiff/castles.htm Gordon.
|
Nico74
Member
|
posted 02-08-2001 12:12 PM
 
Hello AllI am new to this site. But plan on making it a regular visit. I am 26 and my wife and I have always loved castles. We want to start the planning process of building our own. I'd really like to tell you the reasons, and that way, you will know how to respond. 1) We want to build a dwelling (castle) that will last 1000 years. This is very imperitive to us, for reasons that I'm sure you don't want to hear. 2) Have the ability to be self sufficient. ie. Fields for planting as well as livestock, running water (deep well) and power supply. 3) Not as interested in keeping it "authentic" but everything must be built to last 4) Plan ahead for expansion.
5) I have no qualms about hiring people to do it for me. If I'm to have the money to do it I must keep working.  We hope to start on this in the next 4-5 years. I have no clue what price we might be dealing with (building in the Georgia mountains). We were expecting 4-5 mill for the initial, wall, great room, main living quarters, and a couple of towers. Am I WAY off? We just decided last night that we need to make it more than just a "dream" Any suggestions are good, I will be reading what everyone has to say. Nick |
duncan
Senior Member
|
posted 02-08-2001 12:48 PM
It will be with great pleasure that i buy these next rounds. I'm haveing a St. Andrews as well, oh by the way, i hope your be driveing, i'll have at least two me self.Nico, your project sounds very interesting. Can you give us more details of what you and your wife are looking to build?
Any idea of the type of construction your be useing or the size of the home?
Is your dream different then what you think you may build?
Knowing those first answers may help in determining if your cost estament is in the ball park. My opinion is you might be to high depending on how fancy your project.
Every one here will give you what ever help we can in makeing this happen for you. Let me know what info you need. |
Nico74
Member
|
posted 02-08-2001 01:14 PM
Size is one of the number one things stumping me right now. General things we have worked out.. we aren't tower crazy, but we would like to have a surrounding wall with the two towers at the entrance with a drawbridge over the moat. A moat more for looks and entertainment than for authenticity and defence. I was thinking that the wall would surround 4 to 5 acres of property, which would contain the castle and courtyard. The great hall I want almost as big as a basketball court. I feel silly talking about these things, me taking the first steps of making a dream a reality, and you guys already experts.
Basic layout. I see the meeting hall to be almost on a sub level, and rise above the first/main level with the kitchens and reception areas. The second floor for a library (sometimes I think that I want a castle to put the library in, not a library for the castle) and living area. Top floor for Master suits, and "modern" entertainment.One more thing as we begin planning, I am a big fan of symmetry. |
knightmare
Senior Member
|
posted 02-08-2001 02:45 PM
I wish you the best of luck duncan and
I might check that fake castle out when I go west sometime. ------------------
Knightmare will be back |
duncan
Senior Member
|
posted 02-08-2001 05:46 PM
Here is the best site that i know of for down loadable blue prints on castles. It might have something you can use in your plans. http://www.castlesontheweb.com/members/philipdavis/index.html
Experts? Not i, i'm still learning what the masters of old already knew and had forgoten.
What ever you do, don't feel silly for makeing your dream come true. You and your wife have alot ahead of you both to plan and to discover.
But now your at the 'fun' part of filling in the blanks.
|
Gothic Builder
Senior Member
|
posted 02-27-2001 05:50 AM
Hello JCorboy!
Well glad to see another building his dream! Thought you might like a little idea on your tower. The keystone block being a man made block have one little problem called Hydraulic wicking. We are building our tower at this time. The interance way is done and the blocks we use are man made didn't find out about the problem till it was enclosed. Ever time it rains the inside was wet as out,After a lot of searching found a rubber sealant that took care of the wicking,on the inside. Be sure to do this befor the wood work. To keep the wood dry from rot. http://www.geocities.com/Nashville/9349/
Gothic Builder
|
JCorboy
Member
|
posted 04-05-2001 03:24 AM
Gothic Builder---wow, what a fabulous tower! And really love your website with castle plans. Keep the pics coming. One day, I'll figure out how to do it, and can post pics of my Folly Tower.
As for my tower: we placed the custom-made 25 ft steel spiral (actually helical) staircse into an excavation which was 11x11x4 deep, filled it full of rebar, and poured almost 14 cubic yards of concrete to complete the tower support slab.
Then we began the round tower on this slab, 7 ft outside diam, around the staircase. It is of Keystone "Compac" blocks, which are 18" long, 8" high, and 12" deep, with a beautiful split face. And weigh 95 lbs! (Groan!)
We are now on the 9th course, or about six feet high. Each course requires about 14 blocks. Each block has a vertical #5 rebar grouted solid inside, and every six feet the blocks enclose a pair of circular #5 rebars.
Using an automotive winch and steel cable to hoist the blocks from here on up. Fixed a hanger and pulley atop the staircase. All amateur work.
When complete, the tower will reach about 26 feet atop the castellations. We are having so much fun that, if all goes well, may consider building a small "castle" at the base of my tower next year.
Am told the English call these "Folly Castles"---which seems very appropos, considering that the project is expensive and totally impractical. But BEAUTIFUL, and deeply satisfying! (And it keeps me out of bars!)
Thanks again for your encouragement. Aloha from Hawaii, JC
|
JCorboy
Member
|
posted 04-18-2001 03:12 AM
Progress report. Tower now 14 courses high (almost ten feet), and window openings going nicely. Found a nice line about towers from Longfellow's "Skeleton in Armour"
"There for my lady's bower
Built I the lofty tower,
Which, to this very hour,
Stands looking seaward."
Soon hope to post some pics of the spiral (actually helical) staircase and the stone blocks rising around it. Lovely!
Aloha, J. Corboy
| |
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone!
Castle Quest
