[Greenbuilding] Re; Hot Tub Building

[Ken Beiser]

I always enjoy Rob's and Keith's valuable input on all subjects.  I agree 
that Portland products do have high embodied energy.   I use it as little as 
possible but find it "necessary" for most of my projects.  I also agree that 
once the ferrous wire is in the Portland mix, the product will be difficult 
or impossible to reuse or recycle.  All that being said, the other list 
contributor was going to build a hot tub which is pretty far from a green 
project to start with even if it is partially or completely solar heated. 
The ferro cement approach might be greener than other alternatives and 
certainly more in line with the owner-builders.

I personally will be building my own custom tub for our master suite. 
Frankly, I don't even need a tub or a master suite. I am doing the whole 
suite to try some experiments and add some more value to my home which will 
be sold in the future to fund our retirement.  At that time, I hope we can 
volunteer our services (I am a timber framer and my wife is a registered 
nurse).  The next home I build will be small, re-use stockpiled materials 
and will not have a tub or a master suite.  Someone who has convinced 
themselves that they need these luxuries will probably enjoy my crafted and 
relatively green-built home.

On the subject of bathroom tubs again, what kind of tubs or showers are 
found in or are appropriate in green built homes?

Thanks for your all your input!

Ken Beiser
Whitefish, MT