Should You Build Your House With M2 in Panama?

2 men installing m2 panel walls and roof

I am always exploring building technologies and techniques here in Panama. I enjoy sharing what I have learned. Today, I am sharing my experience using M2. M2 construction panels have the advantages of ease-of-construction and cost savings. And one huge disadvantage, damage to the environment. About M2 M2 is a popular building material.  It is … Read more

Perfect House Design For Tropical Panama

graphic of man in hammock under mango tree and text about living in Panama House

The Living In Panama House is the perfect design for a tropical climate. Designed to keep you cool and comfortable Economical to build and easy to maintain Beautiful and high quality Allows a strong connection with the natural surroundings What makes the Living In Panama House different? The Living In Panama House is, in essence, … Read more

Living In Panama House – Under Construction Now

It is very exciting. We are building our newest model of the Living In Panama House. The 1-bedroom version. And, it is going up very quickly. This one is going to be our display house.  Which we, and perhaps interested buyers, can use for the weekend or longer. Why the 1-Bedroom Model If you have … Read more

Tiny Homes: A Big Idea For The Tropics?

image of hand holding tiny house on purple background

The notion of living in a “Tiny” home or basic shelter has been around for centuries. Ascetic monks from the 15th century and earlier have written about the spiritual benefits of casting off the extraneous luxuries of society and getting back to the bare necessities of life. The ascetics felt that only without encumbrances and … Read more

How Much Does It Cost To Build A House in Panama?

yellow image with text about cost of building a house in Panama

Jan 1, 2017 I get asked that question all the time.  Or more specifically, “How much does it cost/square foot to build a house in Puerto Armuelles?” I always feel reluctant.  I want to give a definitive answer, but it is complicated. “What will it cost to build”, is a hard question to answer anywhere, not … Read more

Build a $5,000 House Using Old Chiquita Buildings

30 years ago, when I was in college, one of my best friends, Paul, had a unique solution to the problem of high housing costs. “When I grow up,” Paul proclaimed,  “I  am going to build myself a house out of trash”. Of course, none of us took a Paul seriously at the time.  (FYI – He … Read more

Milton on Expats Building A House In Puerto Armuelles Panama

screenshot of video of middle aged man and text

In this video, Milton Hutto shares his thoughts on expats building a house in Puerto Armuelles. Milton Hutto is an expat from North Carolina who lives in Puerto Armuelles, Panama.   Over the past few years, he has built 2 houses and 1 hotel in Puerto Armuelles. Here is the video, transcribed  Betsy:  Hi, Milton. Milton: … Read more

Can You Build A Bamboo House In Panama?

close up of grove of timber bamboo with text

If you research tropical building materials online, you will undoubtedly run into bamboo as an option. Bamboo is a building material that has been on my radar for 30 years. Bamboo has big advantages as a building material Amazingly abundant Grows incredibly fast (It is a type of grass) My Prior Experience with Bamboo Before moving to … Read more

Think Carefully Before You Build A Wooden House In Panama

3 men remodeling a wooden house in Panama

For over 20 years, I was designer and builder in Seattle.  So I am very familiar with 2×4 “stick” construction.   And the 1st building project I did in Panama was wood construction.  I bought and remodeled an old Chiquita Banana house in Puerto Armuelles.  It is the house we live in.   However, remodeling a wood … Read more

3 Little Pig’s Quandry: What To Use To Build A House In Panama

2 men working with concrete in Panama

Like anywhere else, in Panama there are tons of things to do and decide when remodeling or building a house.   What building materials you will use is a critical one.   Our readers often ask me about building houses in Panama.   Usually they also want to get my opinion on these 4 building materials:  Concrete … Read more

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