Journal of Light Construction: Engineering

Roadside Attraction

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:19:13 EST

This historic Massachusetts store is a magnet for out-of-control vehicles

Getting Into Insurance Work

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:36:24 EST

Is insurance restoration a good fit for your remodeling business?

X-Ray Vision

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:51:36 EST

DeWalt has added a Hand-Held Radar Scanner to its 12-volt Max lithium-ion system

Energy Efficient Home Tax Credit Extended

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:36:22 EST

The New Energy Efficient Home Tax Credit was extended to the end of 2013.

Wind- and Solar-Powered Generator

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 04:02:44 EST

Batteries that are recharged by solar panels and a wind generator supply DC power to an inverter, which converts it to AC power.

Don't Cut Historic Timbers

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:57:41 EST

A reader suggests a better way to strengthen an old roof

Roof Truss Repair

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:51:19 EST

Field repairs should always be designed by an engineer

Precut Framing

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 04:25:50 EST

Factory-cut engineered joists and rafters can reduce labor costs and job-site waste

October Hearing Set for Southern Pine Downgrade

Fri, 7 Dec 2012 04:50:33 EST

Southern Pine lumber will get new engineering strength values and new span tables with reduced spans for visually graded lumber.

North Carolina Politicians Scuffle Over Outer Banks Bridge Plan

Fri, 7 Dec 2012 04:50:26 EST

It's an ambitious proposal: Build a bridge spanning open water, seven miles long, to link North Carolina's Outer Banks with the mainland.

Slipping In a Structural Ridge

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 02:28:21 EST

Opening up this ranch's floor plan required removing the center bearing wall and installing a 30-foot ridge beam

Tightening Up a Two-Family House

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:37:47 EST

Chasing down and fixing energy leaks in an old house can be tricky and expensive, but utility incentives may help.

Expanding a Kitchen

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:42:54 EST

Even a small addition presents a number of structural challenges.

3-D Printing for Automated Home Construction?

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 03:41:24 EST

Contour Crafting utilizes 3-D concrete printing to manufacture complex components and even entire houses.

Merging Biophilic Design with Green Building Standards

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 03:39:22 EST

Biophilic design is gaining traction in residental construction as an ancillary component of green building.

Passive House Costs Explored

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 08:56:36 EST

I’ve been following the JLC articles on super-insulated homes; one consistent thread seems to be the extraordinary labor hours required for all the details, especially air-sealing. The latest by Christian Corson (“An Affordable Passive House,” 5/12, 6/12) was no exception. Although I like the Passive House concept, some of the requirements seem to offer little payback in the U.S., where natural gas costs a fraction of its cost in Europe. In Michigan, I can install a high-efficiency gas forced-air system for the same cost as this house’s hvac system (that’s one expensive ERV system!), and I don’t see the savings from all the extra insulation.

Controlling Whole-House Remodeling Costs

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 03:36:41 EST

Managing customer and architect expectations can head off problems in a remodeling project.

RetroTreads Hardwood Treads

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 01:31:26 EST

If your clients want to replace their carpeted stairs with hardwood, these treads are an economical option

Wolf PVC Deckboards

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 01:44:57 EST

Wolf has added two tropical-hardwood colors to its PVC Deckboard collection.

Supporting a Brick Chimney With Structural Steel

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 02:11:11 EST

A pair of I-beams support a three-story brick chimney in this basement remodel.