[GBlist] Fw: Topsider.com Kit Homes - Can they be healthy?

[pmaurer134320MI@comcast.net]

 

Does anybody know if Topsider.com kit post and beam homes can be made compatible with healthy indoor air quality (IAQ)?

I am researching this for chemically sensitive individuals.  I am not a businessperson.
They look promising, and are available as unfinished shells as well.  However, the wood may be treated with too many pesticides to be tolerable by very sensitive people.

> They have been in business a long time.  They ship all over the world.  I
imagine they have good resale as well.
> They are obviously quite attractive, and very well suited to a sloped
site.(see their photo gallery). Being elevated is good to escape mold.
> Although not movable, you might at least duplicate it easily.
> If they could be built healthy, they might be nice for a co-housing
community due to the variety of styles.
>
> The big question is the tolerability of the materials used.
> The website says little about this, however I did discover a few
encouraging points:
>
> 1. They use different materials based on whether the home will be sited at
the beach or in the mountains.  This tells me they are flexible.
>
> 2. You can purchase a weather-tight shell only, leaving it up to you to
finish the interior. http://www.topsider.com/qandaF.html#8
>      To me, this is the best news of all, as the details of the HVAC
system and cabinetry, etc. would likely have to be very different than what
they
> normally build at their factory.  Installing non load-bearing interior
walls is relatively simple.
>
> 3. They do custom work all the time.
   4. They have daily factory tours, so it would be possible to see how they
work and understand what might go wrong.

Paul
Michigan