Air Leaks: Hidden Moisture Movers
Along the coast where wind-blown rain is a regular weather feature, it's no surprise to builders that the exterior of a home must be carefully detailed to manage water. Properly installed housewrap and flashing are the key elements of an effective water-resistive barrier. But rainwater is not the only moisture source, explains building-science consultant Steve Easley. The air itself, particularly the humid air associated with coastal regions, carries a significant moisture load as well. This means that sealing up air leaks is a vital step to managing moisture. Read more
Metal Connector Nailers
As building codes address wind-zone construction with extra vigor, more metal hardware is being required to tie buildings together than ever before. Framing anchors, ties, hold-downs, braces, tie-downs, hangers, connectors, straps - every year more steel is needed to build and remodel houses. And all this hardware must be fastened to wood framing with nails, which means a lot of old-fashioned hammer swinging … unless you own a metal connector nailer. To help you sort through the maze of metal connector tools and find the right one(s) to fill your nailing needs, custom home builder and remodeler Mike Guertin evaluates the performance and operation of 14 different multi-blow and single-shot nailers Read more
Products
All-Season Doors ~ Tough Exposure ~ New Lows for Low-E ~ Timber Tamers ~ Safe Step ~ Engineered Conservatories ~Dry Gear ~ Anchor Bolt Holders ~ Taking a Stand Read more
Solving the Uplift Puzzle
Where the codes once concentrated mostly on verifying that buildings could handle gravity loads, now coastal homes must also resolve the complicated load effects associated with high winds: uplift, shear (or "racking"), sliding, and overturning. Ted Cushman takes a closer look at one kind of loading - uplift - and reviews the current recommendations and resources. Read more
