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Despite the inherent strength of brick, a brick veneer wall is not invulnerable during a storm. If the wind blows hard enough, poorly secured brick veneer can literally crumble. And because bricks and mortar are porous, they can transmit moisture to the main wall if that wall has not been properly...
Outdoor kitchens are a popular amenity in the seaside homes of well-heeled clients. But when designing an outdoor kitchen in the hot and humid Gulf, builders must take care to use durable materials that can take a beating. Pat Curry looks at how to craft these appealing spaces while making sure...
New Florida codes compel contractors to upgrade the roof-wall connections on qualifying older homes when replacing the roof covering. In this article Richard Reynolds, who helped write the new code language, outlines the steps involved: how to inspect the connections that tie existing rafters or...
A growing number of state and local codes call for impact zone windows in construction near the shore—windows made of shatterproof laminated glass that won't succumb to the flying debris generated by a hurricane. But even the strongest window will fail if not properly installed. Manufacturers'...
As a custom painting contractor in the Boston market, Nigel Costolloe has spent a good part of his lifetime studying the way paint works. Paint problems, he says, most commonly point back to the way the house was built, the substrates prepped, or how the paint was applied, rather than to the paint...
Air distribution is the weak link in many heating and cooling systems. Good ductwork is key to HVAC performance, yet all too often this vital part of the system is underexamined, bringing the energy performance of the home to surprising lows. Ted Cushman describes how the industry pros detail their...
A couple of decades ago, not much was typically done to secure gable-end trusses: at most, a few toe-nails, perhaps an occasional strap or diagonal brace. But these measures prove insufficient in a high-wind event, where negative pressures are the most likely forces to pull apart an underbuilt...
Understanding Water Intrusion
In more than 25 years of consulting with builders on ways to avoid callbacks, Steve Easley has spent his time solving problems related the heat and moisture transfer, because this is where builders — even very good builders who deliver well-appointed homes to the coastal elite — most often get...
Fasteners for Treated Wood: Practical Solutions for Coastal Environments
According to general contractor Bill Robinson, the building industry is going through a renaissance of sorts when it comes to weather protection. He predicts that as the current best practices become standardized, even more detailed requirements will be brought back to the codes. And that's a good...
Following the 2004 hurricane season, Florida-based Mercedes Homes paired up with researchers at the DOE's Building America program to design and build a truly hurricane-resistant home. But as researchers and builders have come to understand only too well, a home that provides complete protection...
Pneumatic Shingle Knife ~ Cellular PVC Decking ~ Last Line of Defense ~ Closed-Cell Foam Sealant ~ Stable Shower Stall