Philippine House Builders Forum

Why do You build a Pitched Roof in the Philippines?
"Uhh...because thats what others do..."

But FLAT roofs can mean 30% savings compared to a pitched roof...

The flat roof ensures that there is less timber (wood) or steel needed for roof support. And the total surface of a flat roof is lower compared to the area of a pitched roof, hence you save on roofing material.

Most of our clients still want to have a pitched roof; so we build it.

Philippine architects or contractors might only offer a pitched roof because they suffers from 'Habitual Thinking' and/or 'Resistance to Change' or have a lack of information, shortage of time, rigid application of standards, reluctance to seek advice, failure to admit ignorance, poor human relations, or they make decisions based on feelings rather than facts.

Just show us some pictures and we will make a flat roof-design that fits your WISHES and BUDGET.

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Cooling your House in the Philippines WITHOUT AIRCON?
The cost of electricity here is very high...

In the Philippines the humidity is very high so air movement is crucial to help perspiration to evaporate.

It's possible to design a home without an airconditioner thrue the study of the orientation of your house- and window alignment/positioning with the sun plus wind. That's called Passive Cooling.


The roof also needs to have wide overhangs (eaves) for shading of some walls, depending where the sun normally shines.

Insulation of walls, roof etc.

Sliding shutters, flyscreens and glass doors provide for a nice cool breeze.

Maybe elevate the house, like this one:



We can simulate the 'solar chimney' effect which makes use of the fact that hot air goes up and leaves the roof, and as a result it can suck cooler air in, from lower openings.

Some architects or contractors in the Philippines might not offer a 'Passive Cooling' home because they suffer from 'Habitual Thinking' and/or 'Resistance to Change' or have a lack of information, shortage of time, rigid application of standards, reluctance to seek advice, failure to admit ignorance, poor human relations, or they make decisions based on feelings rather than facts.

Just show us some pictures of your dreamhouse and we will make a 'Passive Cooling Design' that fits your LOT, WISHES and BUDGET.


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Why do YOU build with CONCRETE in the Philippines?
"Uhh...because thats what others do..."

But the high 'thermall mass' of concrete stores the heat during daytime and gives that back to you at night; providing for an uncomfortable tropical sleep. And falling concrete during an earthquake gives a big headache.

Most of our clients still want to have a concrete house; so we build it.

However, we can offer other construction methods that have a LOW thermall mass.

For example: steel columns and beams as basic structure with lightweight - but very strong - materials like fiber-cement or SIPs (structural insulated panels) and artificial stone plus glass or wood added to the interior/exterior.

This construction method responds quickly to cooling breezes to give a high comfort level and also provides efficient strength against an earthquake or typhoon.

Your Philippine architect or contractor might only offer a concrete home because he suffers from 'Habitual Thinking' and/or 'Resistance to Change' or has a lack of information, shortage of time, rigid application of standards, reluctance to seek advice, failure to admit ignorance, poor human relations, or he make decisions based on feelings rather than facts.

Steel homes look the same as other houses, will cost on average a little more than concrete houses, are fire resistant and the livingroom can be built very large without ugly posts (columns) in view.

The steel-framing concept has proven itself over half a century and is currently the fastest growing building technique in the world... and can look like any home you dream of; just show us some pictures and we will make a design that fits your LOT, WISHES and BUDGET.

If you definitely want to hire your local contractor; then let us at least make a better foundation and walls with steel framing; you or your local contractor can do the finishing like tiles, paint etc.


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Why do YOU build your House with Hollow Blocks in the Philippines?
"Uhh...because my Filipina wife has a brother who is a bread-baker and he say he can build houses too..."

If you definitely want to hire some local family; then let us at least make a more durable foundation and walls with Solid Poured Concrete (Cast-in-Place); you or your friends can do the finishing like tiles, paint etc.

E-mail us at: contractorph@gmail.com