Homeowner Forum / Construction / August 2006

I'm a student and just started a class on the home building industry.
I'm trying to find out how long it takes the big volume homebuilders
like kb homes to build a home and other info such as how many they
build at once, how many workers they use etc?  I'd appreciate any

I'm planning on building a maintenance access to the main roof on my
building and instead of using a pull down ladder I want to install a
permanent "staircase."  In order for this staircase to work it needs to
be steep -- much like some staircases in Amsterdam.  The rise of the

Wondering if anyone out there has done, or had done, any quantity of
cultured stone.
Were wrapping up an addition for a customer which has 1200 sq' of stone
on the exterior. The job is way out in the sticks and other than one

hi,  my son is into lifting weights, which he keeps in the corner of his
bedroom in a space 3 feet by 1 foot.    over the years he has been given
weights by people and the total weight of them all is now 60 Kg.
our house is a terraced house built in 1938 in north london (u.k.).  i ...

In some countries, stone houses are common.  In the U.S. most homes are
built with wood. Why?

How many builders out there are using decorative cementitous coating over
CMU on residential versus "real" stucco? Better question... does your local
building permit even allow DCC instead of stucco?

If I use spray foam inside my garage do I have to install a vapour
barrier over it like ordinary insulation ?  I'm in Canada, so I have no
clue if the Ontario Building code says that you have to install a
vapour barrier.

Just curious if anyone has used the stuff and how long it lasts in the
sun (talking UV deterioration.)

As the market has slowed down, there are new opportunities available
for new home development in niche areas. In particular, the high end
homes of Cape Coral, Florida are doing much better than the mid to low
end homes. Cape Coral is still growing rapidly (5th fastest growing US

A friend of mine has purchased enough of Dow Symmatrix for a fairly large
sized deck.  Grey color which is officially called "driftwood" apparently.
It is yellowing in the sun while sitting in the driveway.  Almost to the
same yellow that old newspaper gets after a few decades out ...

I have a covered concrete stoop that is about the same height as the 1st
floor with a raised door threshold seperating them.
My question is can I use 3/8 ceramic tile on the stoop or would raise the
stoop level the slighly ?  The threshold will be slightly higher than the

I am looking to redo my basement suite in laminate hardwood flooring
and also the two rooms in updated carpets( 3 rooms).
Also, looking for a refrigerator that is 60 H-27 W 26 D and this is
inches..  I also need to two stoves too..

I hear that a 2 story is more economical to build than a 1 story.  Does
any know this to be correct and if so, why?  We will be building in
arkansas on a crawl space foundation.

I have been turned down by the IBEW for their electrician
apprenticeship.
Are there other apprenticeships, sponsored by trade unions or not, that
people here can recommend for someone who is interested in learning the

I want to put a double-hung window in my garage for a window unit AC. Am
handy enough with framing and sheetrock but the exterior veneer is brick. I
have been quoted $250 to cut the opening. It seems simple enough but I
realize that its one of those things you better get right ...