I have customers who wants me to build a log home that will be used seasonally, for about two months of the summer and another two months in the winter. During the rest of the year they want to leave the house closed up and unheated. We're at the edge of the Rocky Mountain Front Range in eastern British Columbia, and winter temperatures often fall to 20F. I've discouraged the clients from installing a hydronic heating system because of the difficulty of draining it twice a year (draining the domestic water will be headache enough), but what other potential problems should I be thinking about? I'm concerned that the radical swings in temperature could damage interior finishes More
It's good insurance against problems caused by wind-driven rain, but experts wonder whether the additional cost is necessary. More
A fully wired and heated trailer provides this GC with an organized space from which to run a complex and long-term job. More
There are more flexible flashings on the market than ever before, made from a... More
Is lumber quality improving?; failing GFCIs; tools recalled; reusing wastewater out West; more More
Leaky condos lead to builder fees; cellulose fibers dramatically reduce stucco cracks; failing septic systems spawn class-action suit; new precut SIPs; expansive soils wreak havoc with floor slabs; labor unions go after non-union workers in Boston More
For long spans and heavy loads, parallel strand lumber is a good substitute for steel. The beams are dimensionally stable, come in a variety of standard sizes, and can be worked with ordinary carpentry tools. More
Eastern s-p-f lumber expands its market, hearing protection on the job site, smart electric panel helps control costs, appliance specs by fax More
