Floor Structure

• Durable Substrates for Thinset Tile (Subscriber content)

  Behind every attractive tile job is a durable substrate. A master tiler shows how proper use of backerboard and waterproof membranes ensures a lasting finish at tubs, countertops, and floors.

   

• Framing Details for Wood Shrinkage (Subscriber content)

  When a house frame shrinks, it can leave bumps and dips in the floor, cause doors to bind, and open cracks in drywall and casing joints. Proper selection of materials and attention to framing details can keep these problems to a minimum.

   

• Focus on Energy: The Right Way to Insulate a Floor (Subscriber content)

  Installing batt insulation under floors

   

• For What It's Worth

  Rubber roof slates, nonslip eaves membrane, clapboard installation jig, hook-and-loop tape for carpet installation

   

• For What It's Worth

  LVL studs, synthetic granite, humidistat fan control

   

• Detail: Air-Sealing Truss Floors (Subscriber content)

  This straightforward technique uses tight-fitting rigid foam to air-seal and insulate truss floor perimeters.

   

• Q&A: Plywood & Glue in Built-Up Headers

  Q: How much strength does plywood and construction adhesive add to the strength of a built-up header?

   

• A Guide to Construction Adhesives (Subscriber content)

  Does subfloor adhesive strengthen the floor system, or just prevent squeaks? Can you get a permanent bond between dissimilar materials? A wood products expert explains how elastomeric mastics work, and helps you choose the best one for the job.

   

• Water in the Walls -- Three Case Studies (Subscriber content)

  Whether it comes from green framing lumber or household sources, moisture trapped in wall cavities can cause major headaches. These real-life cases illustrate the expensive consequences of failing to get water out of the walls.

   

• Remodeler's Estimating Checklist (Subscriber content)

  What you overlook in an estimate will probably come back to haunt you. This comprehensive checklist can help keep you out of trouble.

   

• Eco-Friendly Building Products (Subscriber content)

  We review some practical products and materials that carry the green label.

   

• Q&A: Squeakless Floors

  Q: How can I avoid floor squeaks with a wood joist system?

   

• Kitchen & Bath: Plumb and Level K&B Remodels (Subscriber content)

   

• Framing With Floor Trusses (Subscriber content)

  Parallel-chord trusses are an excellent choice for bridging long spans. Here’s how to order and install them.

   

• Coping With Shrinking Wood Callbacks (Subscriber content)

  Whether it’s framing lumber or finish flooring, wood shrinks and swells, causing problems in your finish work. Here’s how to prevent callbacks.

   

• Recraft: An Environmentally-Friendly House (Subscriber content)

  A demonstration house in Montana proves it’s possible — and affordable — to build a conventional house with resource-efficient materials.

   

• Tying Into Existing Framing (Subscriber content)

  Joining new construction to old requires good detective work. Here are some pointers for the trouble spots.

   

• Letters

   

• Field Guide to Common Framing Errors (Subscriber content)

  In traveling to sites around the country, this field rep sees a lot of framing failures that could have been easily prevented.

   

• Fast & Accurate Wall Framing (Subscriber content)

  A veteran production framer tells where it pays to take your time, and where to go full speed ahead, in wall layout and framing.