Understanding Wood Shrinkage in Finish Carpentry

 These days trim wood shrinkage in finish carpentry does cause some problems and has tested the reputation of even the most seasoned finish carpenters. This can be controlled some what if it is properly addressed however the shear speed at which houses get built and the use of new growth lumber these days poses a lot of the problems that are unfortunately some times unavoidable.

What Is The Difference Between Hardwood Floors And Engineered Hardwood Floors?

Wood flooring is one of the nicest home improvements that can be done in a home. There are so many different choices when it comes to Hardwood Flooring that it is difficult to pick out exactly what it is that you need, especially since hardwood flooring and engineered wood flooring are so readily available.

Steps Involved in Building a House - GETTING STARTED

When building a house, ideally, the weather will be perfect, all the materials will arrive on time and intact, and the trades people will be ready and on time. Unfortunately this is a very rare occasion. The weather could take a turn for the worse, materials could be late or items missing, the electrician could be held up at another job, or any number of things could go wrong. The point is that building a house can be a chaotic event.

What we have attempted to do with this web site is give you a step by step guide to building a house and some idea what each step involves.  While certain things must happen before others, like the foundation goes in before the roof, other things may be completed in a different order without creating many problems. In other words this site is to be treated as a general guide to construction.

Steps Involved in Building a House - Footings & Foundations

If you haven't already done so you must soon choose the type of doors, windows, garage doors, siding or stucco, trim, brick, furnace, fireplace, cabinets, bathtub & shower.

9. Engineering: In certain conditions an engineer may be required, City Hall, your General Contractor or yourself may feel there is something about the house or lot which requires a stamp of approval from an engineer.

• When building on a slope you may want an engineer to determine what it takes to keep your house in place. For example, foundation walls may require additional steel, or you may have to use a stronger type of concrete. Using an Engineer might seem a bit costly at times, but it will keep everything in the proper conditions and you may just end up with one of the happier houses in the neighborhood.
• Any basement that has (backfilled) foundation walls higher then 7'-8' needs engineering.

Steps Involved in Building a House - Framing

During this stage of building everything seems to go very quickly - it is important to be organized and know when each trade is required and what they might need to complete their job. Have you chosen your light fixtures, closet organizers and flooring yet?

23. Framing: The materials needed for framing should be delivered by the lumber yard. If needed any engineered beams should also be delivered to the building site. These beams are often supplied by the truss company.

• Order Trusses
• Once framing starts establish when the Windows and Exterior Doors should be delivered.
• Apply for a Gas Meter.
• At this time you should be sure of the layout of your house; discuss any changes with your framer. Alterations later on can be messy, costly, and very frustrating for the framing crew. Drop by at the end of the days work. And do not forget that they are there to make a living. Make sure they can do their job by having the materials on site when they are needed.
• Be certain to discuss with your Framer the work which will be included in the quote he gave you. For example supplying nails, framing up sidewalks and the driveway, etc.

Steps Involved in Building a House - Exterior Finishing

During this phase of Construction the Exterior & Interior can be worked on at the same time, we will show the steps of the Exterior first.

31. Overhead Doors (Garage Doors): The garage doors can be installed before the garage floor has been poured but for a happier installer have the doors installed after the floor has been done. The drywall should be installed before the garage door but the same applies, the door can be installed before the drywall goes on but it makes it much harder for the installer.

• When purchasing your Garage Doors you may want to consider getting insulated doors. Depending where the garage is located, it could save you a lot on your heating bill.
• Note: Even if you do not want automatic doors, have the electrician install ceiling plugs, and run the needed wiring.

Steps Involved in Building a House - Interior Finishing

39. Alarm Prewiring: If you want an alarm system now or sometime in the future you should have the house pre wired.

40. Built-In Vacuum: The rough-in for a built-in Vacuum System should also be installed now.

• Even if you do not want an Alarm System or Built-In Vacuum it is much easier and cheaper to have them roughed-in now.  If you decide to sell the house some day it can be a good selling feature.

What Are Your Home Improvement Renovations Really Worth?

More often than not extensive home renovations, splurges or upgrades will cost you more money than it will return upon sale. When considering a home improvement renovation, there are 2 very important factors to evaluate when deciding your budget - The Value to you, & Resale Recovery...

Home Improvement Through Energy Efficiency

As energy costs spike and heating and cooling costs become more and more expensive, any chance to lower utility bills by making a home more energy-efficient is worth investigating. While many energy-saving solutions require a change of lifestyle, daily upkeep, or are very expensive to install, there are some simple things that can be done around the house that will quickly and conveniently make a difference in energy bills. In this article, we've outlined some home improvement ideas that work.

Increase Your Homes Value With These Home Improvement Ideas

Some home improvement projects will bring a return when you sell your home, but many home improvement projects will not offer much of a return on your investment. In this article we will look at some of the best home improvement projects which usually offer a good return on your investment.

Developing a Garage Addition Building Plan and Estimating Garage Addition Costs

The decision to add on a garage addition to a home is one of the best home improvement projects a homeowner can make. A garage addition provides great utility and can significantly increase the value of a home. Prior to actually breaking ground, however, a garage addition plan and garage addition costs estimates should be developed.

4 Hot Tips for Replacing a Garage Door

There are four main points to consider before you buy or replace your garage door. Find out more in this article

Different Types of Wood Cabinets

If your kitchen or bathroom cabinets are getting worn out, outdated or becoming obsolete in style, or if they have scratches or nicks, it's time to do something. You can have other options than just replacing your cabinets. You can apply quality refinishing job to make your cabinets return to their original look. You can hire cabinet refinishers or refacing experts to refurbish them which will entail lower cost than to replace them.

Kitchen Cabinet Design Tips

A kitchen cabinet design can give your kitchen - bid or small space, with a design that sooths your mood and blends with your kitchen layout over the years. Picking an appropriate design can be done with the assistance of an expert or you can become an expert with the various designs and styles that are available in magazines and do-it-yourself kitchen design guide.

Cabinets & Countertops Provide the Space to Keep You Organized

Cabinets and countertops are the two best friends of any homemaker who always gets busy in the kitchen. These types of kitchen furniture help keep the area clean with all of the utensils, dishes, pots, pans and small kitchen gadgets tucked away and out of sight. An organized homeowner will always makes sure that their kitchen has enough cabinets and countertops for storage and space. Imagine having to work in a kitchen where all your cooking utensils, food and gadgets are scattered all over the room. Having cabinets & countertops to help you keep organized will definitely save you time and effort in preparing dishes and keeping the kitchen clean.

Closet Organizing Tips For Small Closets

Closets are miracles of sorts. They keep everything we don't want others to see hidden out of sight. Although the times that you just throw items into it without thinking can make it a bit unorganized and you need to correct this. Take a moment to look at your closet. Is there a shelf in it with items threatening to fall off? Are your clothes constantly falling on the floor when you go to get them out of the closet?

Closet Organizers - Bringing Order To Messy Closets!

Closet organizers are cleverly designed to optimize the use of the space available, and can work wonders at transforming a cluttered closet into a neat and tidy storage place. We all know how annoying it is to have an a closet crammed full of old clothes and to never be able to find what we're looking for. Or when we do find that favorite dress, all too often it's lying in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the closet. A built in closet organizer can change all that, providing a dedicated storage place for different types of clothing and shoes.

Pole Buildings Use Simple Construction Techniques

Portable buildings, also known as modular buildings, are very different & distinct from mobile homes. Portable buildings are sectional prefabricated buildings manufactured in a plant and delivered in one or more modules or sections that can be...

What Pole Barns Building Suppliers Don't Want You to Know

Most pole barn kits utilize the simple construction technique of post and beam construction, which anyone can do on their own with a little basic carpentry experience. Don't have the expertise? Then hire a carpenter by the hour to help you plan and build your project. Simple pole building projects can be constructed over a weekend if you have pre-arranged all of your basic building materials and have several friends or family members available to help you with the heavy lifting. There are 3 basic steps to constructing your own pole barn:

Barn Designs History Including Pole Barn - Post And Beam - And Domesticated Barns

Barns have been part of the American landscape for hundreds of Years. Originally a Place of work, they have evolved to urban or domesticated spaces. Barns have been disappearing across much of North America and Europe. Historically Barns were on the outskirts of cities so they had proximity to deliver goods. As the Land they occupy continue to become more valuable then the amount derived from farming, subdivision of farmland has become more and more common.

Lumber Dimensions

2x4s are not actually 2 inches by 4 inches. When the board is first rough sawn from the log, it is a true 2x4, but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 1.5x3.5 size. Here are the common sizes of lumber, and their actual sizes.

Understanding Point Loads (Beam to Beam Framing)

Unsupported beam-to-beam connections apply large concentrated downward loads to a relatively small surface area along the beam. This type of load puts a lot of shear stress on the beam, which under certain conditions could lead to the beam snapping and a catastrophic failure. Point loads distribute weight differently than when using joists that distribute the load evenly across the length of a beam. Unsupported beam-to-beam connections are only acceptable when used in circumstances where the beam will only be carrying a very small load such as attaching a small stair landing.

Is Lumber Considered Green

When the subject of lumber is renewable, recyclable and sustainable come up in conversations surrounding green products many have differing opinions. For decades the lumber industry has been bashed for bad practices in managing our environment. Yes in the past there have been some bad practices but in the United States our forests are managed in ways they many don't even understand. When some talk about the lumber industry they portray companies that are eliminating the forests. That is just not the case. Let's look at the nature life cycle of a forest if humans never stepped foot inside. Trees grow and drop seeds and more trees grow. The forest continues overtime to thicken and the large trees kill out the smaller trees creating dead down fall. Over years some of this down fall decays and returns to the earth. This process continues to create overgrown forests and more dry trees.

Outdoor Decks - Understanding Seven Elements of Good Deck Design

As an extension of your home, a deck can provide an attractive outdoor area that you can enjoy every time the weather allows. Whether just hanging out and lounging, entertaining or playing with your kids or pet, a well-designed deck can be a favorite part of your home. Understanding important deck design and planning considerations will help your deck become a successful project.

Useful Remodeling Ideas - BEFORE You Get Started!

Home remodeling can be done for function or just because the house needs a new look, or a combination of the two.