Fiber Cement Roofing

• Q&A: Using Pressure-Treated Wood for Trim

  Q: We are planning to use pressure-treated wood as exterior trim on a house with fiber-cement siding. The siding will be finished with acrylic paint. Is pressure-treated wood appropriate for use as exterior trim? What precautions, if any, are necessary when painting pressure-treated wood? Can we...

   

• Products

  Stepladder tool pouch; vinyl board & batten siding; fold-away urinal; new-tech utility knives; polyethylene garage doors; and more

   

• JLC Online

  Leaky power sander, chimney flashing in steel roofs, tools for cutting fiber-cement, Win95 alternatives

   

• Letters

  Fiber-cement corners, undercabinet lights, brick veneer details, competitive bidding

   

• Fiber vs. Wire Mesh Reinforcing

  Q: Which is better at preventing cracks in concrete slabs: fiber reinforcement or wire mesh?

   

• On-Site With Fiber-Cement Siding (Subscriber content)

  We take a close look at handling, cutting, installing, and painting fiber-cement to see how it compares with traditional lap siding.

   

• Alternative Roofing Materials (Subscriber content)

  Plastic, metal and fiber-cement shingles and panels make for durable, fire-resistant roofs — without sacrificing good looks.

   

• Practical Engineering: Deciphering the Engineer's Lingo (Subscriber content)

  Engineer’s jargon explained

   

• Exterior Trim: Alternatives to Solid Wood (Subscriber content)

  While good-quality finish lumber has grown more scarce and expensive, the lumber industry has been developing wood-based engineered alternatives. Here’s an overview of the best options on the market today.

   

• Practical Engineering: Stiff Subfloor Protects Tile Job (Subscriber content)

  Stiff floor for ceramic tile

   

• For What It's Worth

  Joist hanger alignment tool, power cord reel, fiber cement roofing

   

• Eight-Penny News

  Leaks in high-temperature plastic exhaust pipes, new asbestos regs coming, training architects as builders

   

• Innovative Building Products (Subscriber content)

  Manufacturers of plastics and composites are finding ways to replace traditional materials with products that are lighter, stronger, more durable, and less expensive. Here’s a look at what’s new at the lumberyard.

   
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  Q&A: Roofing and Insulation for an Exposed Rafter Ceiling

  Q: What is the best roofing and insulation to use on a 20-year-old house with exposed rafter cathedral ceilings? The framing doesn’t seem strong enough for tile, which is common here in the Southwest, and the roof needs substantial insulation to shield against an extremely hot summer climate.

   

• Q&A: Can Fibers Replace Wire Mesh in Slabs?

  Q: Can polypropylene fiber additives (such as Fibermesh) be used instead of welded wire mesh in concrete slabs?

   

• Builder's Library

   

• Innovations From Abroad (Subscriber content)

  A number of foreign building products represent true innovation. Here’s a selection of recent introductions to the U.S. market.

   

• For What It's Worth

   

• Focus on Energy: High-R Block Update (Subscriber content)

   

• Focus on Energy: The Ins and Outs of Foundation Insulation (Subscriber content)