Homeowner Forum / Construction / February 2007

I've detailed curtainwall and I"ve detailed window systems in
commercial applications, hospitals, institutional buildings, etc.
People indicate that curtainwall is an easier material to seal to,
which I don't disagree, but window systems can be effectively sealed

Man I'm all screwed up here. I need help bad. To start, let me say 20
years or so ago I had a B1 General Contractors license in Califorina.
I don't have it now and don't do this type of work anymore. I was a
carpenter and built homes for over 15 years in the past so I do have

Are there any good books or free online resources for understanding
how to read construction blueprints? I need this for my friend who is
a carpenter, in order to get a better job, he needs to be able to read
house/construction blueprints.

I happened to be strolling around Lowe's and I noticed this drywall called
paperless mold resistant drywall. It seemed to have a different edge on the
long axis than normal sheets of drywall. How are the joints finished and is
it all its cracked up to be? It was also more ...

A girl and guy were speeding over 100 mph on a motorcycle
Girl: Slow down. Im scared.
Guy: No this is fun.
Girl: No its not. Please, its too scary!

I am building a 20' by 34' deck. One of the 34' sides will be against
the house. Joists will run with the house.The deck will be 8' off the
ground on 6x6 posts, joists on 12" centers. From What i have
researched, I could use 2x12's with one 3-2x12 beam in the center,

Has anybody used these? Opinions?  NH Seacoast region.
-Jim

I am having a house built but have decided to leave some of the finishing
work for myself. I will be adding crown molding and built-in bookcases.
I belive I need a compound miter saw and a friend has and recommends a
DEWALT 12" Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter saw. Based on what ...

Whilst pounding the pavement on 18 wheels I came up with a little gadget
purely as a fantasy thing.
Picture something like a high steel construction crane but on a smaller
scale.

I am prepping my kitchen for the install of granite countertops. I am
removing the laminate countertops myself and for the most part I am
not really too concerned, except for one part. Most of my countertops
appear to just be screwed down. I have an "upper" area of countertop

We are having a new home built and we are getting hardwood floors
throughout, except the laundry room and bedrooms.  Our builder sent us
to "Contemporary Carpet" to pick our flooring out.  They quoted us a
price of $16,220 for all the hardwood.  If I had to guess I'd say

Hello, everyone!  I've added a few posts to my blog in case anyone is
interested in checking out the latest photos of our house that is
under construction (and nearing completion).
Choosing a Hot Water Heater and Water Softener

I have a massive 1890 historic home project that i'm undertaking, and
one of the core issues is that the floors slope dramatically, and not
in any one particular direction. We're going to be removing the
majority of the existing finish floor (no historic value), and putting

I have a massive 1890 historic home project that i'm undertaking, and
one of the core issues is that the floors slope dramatically, and not
in any one particular direction. We're going to be removing the
majority of the existing finish floor (no historic value), and putting

30x50x16high wood framed shop. (2x6 rough cut lumber framed walls)
Friend wants to delete the intermediate horizontal wall framing between the vertical studs. Spacing is currently at
5' o/c between plates in the vertical plane. They've decided on steel sheeting for side/end walls. ...