The Journal of Light Construction articles from April 2004

The Journal of Light Construction archives from April 2004

Keep bath vents away from soffits.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... To the Editor: I am currently involved with a whole-house rehab on a ten-year-old ranch house. The bathroom vent fan exhausted to the outside near the soffit vent strip. Inside the attic, the roof sheathing was nearly completely black with...

Top-down roofing.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... To the Editor: The article about top-down roofing by Mike Guertin (1/04) was interesting. However, Mr. Guertin states, "A roofing nailer helps, since you don't have to lift the shingle very high in order to sneak the nailer nose in place."...

Saw is a winner, but ...(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... To the Editor: I couldn't agree with Tim Uhler more ("Tool Test: Wormdrive Saws," 2/04). The DeWalt saw that he and his crew agree to be their favorite is definitely a winner. I've only had the opportunity to use the Skil HD 77 and the...

APA recommends building paper.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... To the Editor: In his article "Fixing the Holes Where the Air Gets In" (1/04), Mr. Torrey is right in believing that very little air moves through the wood structural panels (plywood or OSB). He therefore recommends using only sealing tape...

Likes ASHRAE 62.2.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... To the Editor: As usual, the January issue of JLC has excellent coverage of building science issues. Your consistent inclusion of balanced, results-oriented, and science-based content on moisture, air quality, energy, combustion, and hvac...

Wood and steel deliver double price whammy.(In The News)
April 1, 2004... Last fall's panel prices are back again The new year has brought no relief from last year's astronomical lumber prices: Reflecting strong demand, plywood, OSB, and framing lumber prices bounced back to the records they set last summer and...

Minnesota court nixes criminal prosecutions for unintentional code violations.(In The News)
April 1, 2004... Minnesota builders breathed a sigh of relief in January after the state supreme court overturned a lower court ruling that would have put a builder in jail for unintentional violations of the building code. The decision means that builders will...

Load-rated screws aid in truss repair.(In The News)
April 1, 2004... If you ask structural engineers from the wood truss industry how to fix broken trusses, they'll only tell you one rule: Don't even think about altering or patching a wood truss without instructions from the designer--and they mean it. So...

Arid Southern California's Metropolitan Water District plans to fund water-conserving upgrades for at least 80 model homes.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Arid Southern California's Metropolitan Water District plans to fund water-conserving upgrades for at least 80 model homes, according to a press release. The cooperative of 26 member cities and agencies imports water for 18 million people from...

Responding to a "passionate argument" from Atlanta builders, NAHB's executive board has voted to bring the 2007 and 2008 Builders' Show back to Atlanta's World Congress Center.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Responding to a "passionate argument" from Atlanta builders, NAHB's executive board has voted to bring the 2007 and 2008 Builders' Show back to Atlanta's World Congress Center, after all, as agreed previously in a contract with the city,...

Scrap tires prove useful in septic fields.(In The News)
April 1, 2004... American drivers discard 250 million tires a year, creating an ongoing disposal problem. Recycling technology is gaining ground; for example, the EPA's Region Six website reports that Texas recycled more old tires in 2002 than it created. But...

Atlanta home builders are proposing new impact fees to fund work on the city's troubled sewer system.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Atlanta home builders are proposing new impact fees to fund work on the city's troubled sewer system, reports the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Builders are still pressing a two-year-old lawsuit against the city over Atlanta's existing impact fee...

An Audubon Society study says a trend toward larger homes on larger lots is speeding up the loss of open space.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... An Audubon Society study says a trend toward larger homes on larger lots is speeding up the loss of open space, reports the Boston Globe. Home builders told the paper that regulations and local resistance to space-conserving high-density...

Maine lawmakers are working on a bill to establish the state's first statewide building code.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Maine lawmakers are working on a bill to establish the state's first statewide building code, says the Associated Press. The measure would make adoption of the code by towns voluntary. About 80 cities and towns in Maine already have building...

Homeowners leveled sharp criticisms at New Jersey's state-sponsored home warranty program.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Homeowners leveled sharp criticisms at New Jersey's state-sponsored home warranty program during January hearings held by the State Commission of Investigation, reports the Newark Star-Ledger. Complaining that the complicated system was run by...

The Cleveland, Ohio, chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry is backing contractor licensing legislation.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Cleveland, Ohio, chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry is backing contractor licensing legislation proposed by Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro and state representative Jim Trakas, according to press reports....

Slim chances seen for slimmed-down energy bill.(In The News)
April 1, 2004... Arizona Senator John McCain calls it "rancid pork." Public Citizen, the consumer watchdog group, says it would "result in elimination of virtually all consumer protections for electricity ratepayers," creating a power industry run by...

Strengthening garage door walls.(Q&A)
April 1, 2004... Q. Can anyone explain the actual technical concern and reason that new building codes are requiring specific structural improvements on garage door "lug walls" (the short walls next to the garage door opening)? A. Bryan Readling, P.E.,...

Painting fiber-cement siding.(Q&A)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Q. Fiber-cement siding comes primed. Can I go straight to a top coat? What's the best paint to use? A. Duffy Hoffman responds: There are a couple of potential problems with the primer that comes on fibercement board. First, it's probably...

New slab over old?(Q&A)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Q. I am renovating a barn where the existing, concrete floor slopes approximately 6 inches in 30 feet. The architect wants me to build a level floor using wood sleepers with foam insulation in between, then pour a minimum 1 1/2-inch-thick...

Fitting the main stair to the entry.(Design)
April 1, 2004... All stairs, from the humblest flight of cellar stairs to the most elegant curved entryway stairs, share the same broad functional requirements: to provide safe and comfortable passage from one level of a house to another. But beyond...

A practical application for square-foot costs.(Business)
April 1, 2004... By far the most common question asked on JLC's online estimating forum is how much to charge per square foot for typical construction--painting, trim, framing, and so forth. Estimating cost books are full of these numbers. The trouble is,...

Using job descriptions to train and motivate.(Business)
April 1, 2004... A good personnel management strategy makes it possible to pay people fairly when you hire them, as well as motivate them for growth. If employees see the potential to make more money based on their own efforts and not someone else's whims,...

When a sub is injured on your job.(Legal)
April 1, 2004... You might think that if a subcontractor gets hurt on your job site, it's his problem. After all, he's an independent contractor, not one of your employees. But sometimes it's your problem. An injured sub might be able to sue you for...

A curved porch on a grand scale: full-scale layout with wood I-joists took the guesswork out of setting the columns.
April 1, 2004... In 2003, my company built a large oceanfront home on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. A sheltered porch spanned the 96-foot-long east elevation, with each end of the porch topped by a conical roof. Seventeen round Tuscan-style columns...

Painting Q&A.(Restoration Painting)
April 1, 2004... Painting may be the last big task to happen on some jobs, said painting contractor and instructor Charles Gilley to a roomful of builders at JLC Live in Providence last year, but that doesn't mean it's the last thing the builder should think...

Building strong garage door walls: this method uses standard materials and a prescribed nailing schedule to provide lateral strength to short walls.(Practical Engineering)
April 1, 2004... Most builders use plywood or OSB sheathing to laterally brace their framed walls and typically feel comfortable when they have a full sheet at both ends of the wall. I suspect that feeling is based more on intuition than on calculated strength,...

Point-and-shoot measuring tools: out-of-reach and complex measurements are no problem for laser measuring devices.(Tool Test)
April 1, 2004... As a remodeler doing several additions, basements, and kitchens a year, I always prepare accurate floor plan and elevation drawings as part of a written proposal. Before I can make any drawings, however, I have to measure up the house, which...

Gypsum-board firewalls: gypsum-board area separation walls perform as well as masonry but can be assembled by carpenters.
April 1, 2004... Area separation walls are critical safety features in multifamily housing. If one unit catches on fire, the area separation wall (also known as a firewall or party wall) is designed to prevent the fire from spreading to an adjoining unit or...

Protecting the job site: this systematic approach to protecting existing finishes makes for an efficient job site, happier clients, and fewer callbacks.
April 1, 2004... My company specializes in remodeling kitchens and bathrooms. When homeowners remodel in stages over the years, these are the big, expensive projects that often get saved until last, so we spend a lot of time working in the middle of beautifully...

Problem-solving subfloor.(Products)
April 1, 2004... If you're looking for an easy way to install a finished floor over a concrete slab, you might consider the DRIcore Subfloor System. The 2 x 2-foot OSB panels have a layer of dimpled polyethylene that raises them off the slab. The resulting air...

Smooth transition.(Products)
April 1, 2004... Behind most clothes dryers you'll find dryer vents with distorted hose and tight bends that reduce drying efficiency and trap lint. The Dryerbox eliminates those problems by replacing a gauntlet of elbows and kinked hose with a smooth...

On the edge.(Products)
April 1, 2004... A vented ridge combined with vented soffits is generally considered the best way to get hot, moist air out of an attic space, but what do you do when you don't have an overhang? The best solution I've seen is the Vented Drip Edge from Air Vent....

Sturdy spout.(Products)
April 1, 2004... Like a lot of suburban kids, we had a basketball court on the back side of the house when I was growing up. One of the neighborhood's best guards was an aluminum downspout adjacent to the hoop--it sure took a beating defending the net. To keep...

Acid-staining a garage floor.(On The Job)
April 1, 2004... Our company builds spec houses, and one of the things we do to make them appealing to buyers is to acid-stain the garage floors. When customers walk in to one of our garages, instead of plain concrete they see a floor with all attractive...

Holy bookcase, Batman!(Specialty Hardware)
April 1, 2004... Maybe it comes from afternoons spent watching the Caped Crusader enter the Bat Cave through a secret passage, but I think this is one of the coolest products I've ever seen. The SpaceXDoor looks like an ordinary bookcase, but it's actually a...

Oldie but goodie.(Specialty Hardware)
April 1, 2004... If "period-inspired" or reproduction hardware won't work for your customer's restoration project, you can get authentic period pieces from Ed Donaldson Hardware Restorations. The small company refurbishes antique doorknobs, sash lifts, hinges,...

Better ledger connection.(Specialty Hardware)
April 1, 2004... Attaching a porch or deck ledgers to a building is one connection that you simply can't mess up. FastenMaster, maker of TrapEase deck screws and TimberLok long-length wood screws has introduced LedgerLok, a coated, structural screw designed...

Fresh outlook.(HVAC Controls)
April 1, 2004... Adding a little fresh air to a forced-air heating system is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to prevent indoor air problems in today's tighter homes. Products like Aprilaire's Ventilation Control System use an electronic damper and...

Water heater safety valve.(HVAC Controls)
April 1, 2004... Failed water heaters cause millions of dollars in damage every year. Even though drip pans can prevent most water damage, they don't ensure the safety of your client, because the leaking water could extinguish the pilot or the burner could be...

Hot water management.(HVAC Controls)
April 1, 2004... Hydronic heating systems continue to grow in popularity, but balancing a new system can be a struggle, especially when in-floor loops are combined with other types of hydronic heating. You can make the balancing process easier with a TruFLOW...

Cold call.(HVAC Controls)
April 1, 2004... While it makes sense to leave the heat or air conditioning turned down in most vacation homes, it can take a day or more to make the house comfortable again. If a day spent shivering isn't compatible with your customer's idea of a relaxing...

Time-saving vented trim.(Soffit & Fascia)
April 1, 2004... While perfectly functional, round aluminum and strip soffit vents aren't the best-looking exterior detail. If you or your customer is seeking an alternative, you might try the 404 Eave Vent System from Style Solutions. Combining several...

Wood is good but sometimes plastic is better.(Soffit & Fascia)
April 1, 2004... The cottage and bungalow aesthetic is increasingly popular, but the exposed overhangs and decorative details present a problem for wood millwork. If your client wants to avoid annual painting and maintenance, you might suggest Azek Beadboard....

High fiber.(Soffit & Fascia)
April 1, 2004... Fans of fiber-cement siding often tout its low cost, durability, and excellent paint adhesion. It's those same qualities that make fiber cement an excellent soffit material. Vented and Non-Vented Soffit Panels from James Hardie are offered in...

Covert soffit ventilation.(Soffit & Fascia)
April 1, 2004... Unlike most vented vinyl soffit that uses exposed holes or slots, Napco's UltraSpan uses hidden ventilation slots. The slots are tucked into the soffit's center groove, and, according to the manufacturer, the hidden location not only looks more...

Suite art.(Bath Fittings)
April 1, 2004... High-profile architects often lend their talents to the design of consumer goods. Just as often, those goods end up costing an arm and a leg. At prices ranging between $100 and $300, the Michael Groves Collection provides a striking line of...

Two heads are better.(Bath Fittings)
April 1, 2004... The manufacturer of this shower head proclaims it "difficult to categorize." Hmm... how about "way cool"? The Freehander All-in-One Shower System abandons traditional styling in favor of unlimited adjustability. Both heads rotate a full 360...

Organized bathing.(Bath Fittings)
April 1, 2004... One of these racks can transform an ordinary shower into a highly functional business unit. Not that you can't still have fun in there. The Aviva Dispenser Plus Shower Basket is one among many models made to dispense liquid soaps and shampoos...

Speedy spigot.(Bath Fittings)
April 1, 2004... Talk to your plumber about those 1/2-inch supply lines. This tub filler has a ceramic valve said to be capable of a thundering 17-gpm rate at 60 psi. The faucet is designed for 3/4-inch fittings but ships with 1/2-inch npt adapters for bathers...

Phenom xenon.(Lighting)
April 1, 2004... Low-volt halogen lamps provide brilliant illumination but burn dangerously hot. Xenon-filled lamps deliver close to the same light without generating as much heat. And while the oily touch of a human hand means early death to a halogen lamp,...

Compatible light.(Lighting)
April 1, 2004... What do you call a light fixture that matches the bathroom trim? Suite. Single-, two-, and three-light bar fixtures are available in the same two design themes--star and egg--and three metallic finishes of Delta Faucet's Michael Graves...

Watt's the difference.(Lighting)
April 1, 2004... Your grandma hated it, but this isn't your grandma's fluorescent. The 79033-98E Four-Light Fluorescent ceiling fixture uses four 13-watt, instant-start bulbs to crank out an aggregate 3,440 lumens for bright, ambient illumination. And if this...

Lower the low-volt lighting.(Lighting)
April 1, 2004... Counterbalanced adjustable pendant lights provide versatility above a kitchen island or so-called workstation. Lowered for prep work or raised for a social buffet, the light is always right. The Glass Companions line includes a choice of 11...

Porter-Cable 894PK router kit.(Toolbox)
April 1, 2004... I've used Porter-Cable routers for more than 20 years, so I was looking forward to checking out the newest version, the 890 series. Besides a more powerful motor, Porter-Cable claims the router has a number of improvements that make it easier...

Festool Trion jigsaw.(Toolbox)
April 1, 2004... Many tool companies produce good stand-alone jigsaws, but Festool s Trion model is a cut above. It has the advantage of being part of a system that includes optional dust extractor vacuums and straightedge cutting guides. I've been using the...

Roof cutter.(Roofing Tools)
April 1, 2004... It's not surprising that the crew seems to disappear when it comes time to trim the overhanging shingles from the rake. Scratching up your hands and forearms while lying prone on a mat of hot asphalt seems like cruel and unusual punishment. A...

Shingle multi-tool.(Roofing Tools)
April 1, 2004... The first time I saw my coworker's Estwing Asphalt Shingler's Hammer I wondered why anybody would spend $35 on a hammer made for nailing down asphalt shingles. After all, it's not the kind of precision work that warrants a specialty tool. But...

Easy roller.(Roofing Tools)
April 1, 2004... Handling trusses without a crane can test your physical stamina, but, according to veteran builder and inventor Harv Lilligard, you can make the process easier and safer with his new product, Truss Glide. The aluminum rollers ride along the top...

Chalk without the walk.(Roofing Tools)
April 1, 2004... Snapping lines every few courses is an easy way to prevent shingle screwups, but most chalk boxes don't hold enough chalk for more than a few lines. The Thor Double Chalker has a heavy-duty braided string that snaps 8 to 12 lines without...

No time to lose.(High-Tech Tools)
April 1, 2004... If you're concerned that your employees are overly optimistic when it comes to reporting their working hours on a time sheet, you might consider switching to the Jobclock. The easy-to-use time clock uses individually assigned, color-coded key...

Task tracker.(High-Tech Tools)
April 1, 2004... The dashboard collection of notes, material lists, and to-do lists written on scrap lumber, material invoices, and catalog pages won't inspire customer confidence and probably isn't the most efficient way to keep track of your business. A...

Cool keyboard.(High-Tech Tools)
April 1, 2004... While more and more contractors are relying on portable computers and pocket PCs, they're constantly fighting a battle to keep dirt and grime out of those expensive devices. I've seen builders and remodelers wrap their keyboards in shrink wrap...

Plumbing tool.(High-Tech Tools)
April 1, 2004... I can't image anything lower tech than a plumb bob, but a new electronic version from DeWalt brings the centuries-old tool into the high-tech category. The Laser Plumb Bob is about the size of a 25-foot tape, and it finds plumb in a second or...

Catch a falling star.(Backfill)(meteorites can cause structural damage)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... High winds? Earthquake? Lightning? Those may be the first things that come to mind when you think of natural causes of structural damage, but don't forget meteorites. While a lot less common than the first three, they do happen. In fact, 2003...