The Journal of Light Construction articles from December 2005

The Journal of Light Construction archives from December 2005

[??]Habla Ingles?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... It was surprising to see the article "[??]Habla Espanol?" printed in your otherwise fine magazine (8/05). I found the article offensive, anti-American, and completely absurd. Last I checked, this was America, not Mexico; English is spoken here,...

Safety first.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I read every issue from cover to cover and save them all for future reference. You have many good articles about profit, training, and keeping good men, but unfortunately safety seems to be of little concern. The lack of hard hats, work boots,...

Wind hold-downs for rafter tails.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I loved the rafter-tail details ("Adding Timber Rafter Tails to a Stick-Framed Roof," 9/05). In the past, I've replicated simpler tails in the bungalow style. One design concern when adding tails to a framed roof is to ensure sufficient...

Faster plaster repair.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... Regarding the letter "Wallpaper Liner Works Well" (10/05), liner should not be considered a replacement for proper wail repair. There are two types of wallpaper liner. One, called bridging liner, is a thick non-woven material intended for the...

Building on the beach: is it wise?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... When I read "Replacing a Beach-House Foundation" (10/05), I was aghast. Later, I discussed the article with my fellow crew members, who had also read it. Words like "obscene" and "profligate" describe our reaction. Such an expenditure of...

Decay of wood-plastic composite decking.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... On page 135 of your June issue, Borax ran an advertisement claiming that composite deckings can "lose more than 20 percent of their mass in a matter of months" and that they are subject to the "ravages of rot and decay" without the use of the...

New tax break takes shape: IRS Form 8903 to be released in January.(In the News)
December 1, 2005... Home builders and remodelers who pay W-2 wages may be able to take advantage of a new tax deduction in the 2005 American Jobs Creation Act, which was signed into law on October 22, 2004. Dubbed the Domestic Production Activities (DPA) deduction...

Hurricane Katrina damaged about 19 billion board feet of timber.(In the News)
December 1, 2005... Hurricane Katrina damaged about 19 billion board feet of timber in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, the USDA Forest Service reported in October. Researchers estimate that the damaged timber, about 60 percent of which is softwood and 40...

Top-dollar tarps.(In the News)
December 1, 2005... Once again, blue-tarp roof repair in the aftermath of a hurricane is costing the U.S. government a bundle. Knight Ridder reports that FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contracted to pay the Shaw Group of Baton Rouge $1.75 for each...

A new Vermont law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in new residences and apartment buildings probably saved the lives of a family of five.(In the News)
December 1, 2005... A new Vermont law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in new residences and apartment buildings probably saved the lives of a family of five in October, reports the Burlington Free Press. (See In the News, 7/05.) The family's detector sounded...

Regardless of their immigration status, injured employees in California are entitled to workers' compensation benefits.(In the News)
December 1, 2005... Regardless of their immigration status, injured employees in California are entitled to workers' compensation benefits, the California Second District Court of Appeal unanimously ruled in October. In the case, Farmers Brothers Coffee argued...

Driving the message home.(In the News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Many builders advertise their company name on their work trucks, but how about on a customer's car? In an innovative attempt to increase foot traffic through inventory homes, Atlanta builder Forrest Homes offers new-home buyers a free, two-year...

Fifty years ago, fewer than half of all American homes had even a one-car garage.(In the News)
December 1, 2005... Fifty years ago, fewer than half of all American homes had even a one-car garage. Today, almost three-quarters of all new houses boast garages for two or more cars. According to the NAHB, homeowners are increasingly putting large multicar...

Every year, more than 100 million birds in the U.S. crash into windows and die.(In the News)
December 1, 2005... Every year, more than 100 million birds in the U.S. crash into windows and die, say researchers. Skyscrapers, with their vast reflective surfaces and extensive nighttime lighting, are especially hazardous. "Building staff at one illuminated...

Free unvented crawlspace design guide.(RESOURCES)
December 1, 2005... Crawlspace foundations are typically damp, which n extreme cases leads to mold, rot, and insect damage to the framing, plus musty air in the living space above. The conventional approach to this problem--ventilating with outside air--can make...

University of Colorado wins Solar Decathlon.(In the News)
December 1, 2005... The University of Colorado had its day in the sun in October, when it won the 2005 Solar Decathlon. Teams from 18 colleges and universities in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, and Spain designed and built solar-powered houses for the U.S....

Q. fixing a noisy condo.(Q&A)
December 1, 2005... I'm renovating a condominium that shares a wall with the adjoining unit. Sound from the neighboring unit--the ringing telephone, the dishwasher, and especially the TV--travels right through the double 2x4 common wall, which has fire-rated...

Q. dealing with a peeling floor finish.(Q&A)
December 1, 2005... Recently, I removed wall-to-wall carpeting from an older maple floor finished with (I presume) polyurethane. While the finish had some paint splatters and stains, the flooring itself looked to be in good shape, so I simply scuff-sanded it with...

Q. compressive strength of cellular PVC trim.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... What kind of compressive strength do cellular PVC trim products such as Azek have? Can they be safely sandwiched between a supporting column and a bearing beam, for example? A. Jeff Keisling, vice president of research and development for...

Understair pantry.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... After removing the plaster from a kitchen wall during a recent remodeling job, we found a huge unused space under the stairs. Except for a pile of large, curly, hand-plane shavings left by the carpenter who'd built the stairs a century earlier,...

Hidden header detail.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Earlier this year, we ran into a problem while building a shed dormer on a second-story renovation project: Matching the existing roof pitch put the bottom of the wall plate at 6 feet 6 inches above the floor. Because the plans showed two pairs...

Sturdy deck protection.( )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... I was visiting one of Harrell Remodeling's construction sites in Portola Valley, Calif., when I noticed an intriguing method for protecting a wooden walkway. The only way into the home was down a set of redwood stairs and across a long...

Firmer footing.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... I couldn't help but feel bad for this junior carpenter, acting as cut man for four framers up on the deck. They'd shout dimensions down, and by the time he got a 2x10 up on the horses and cut to length, he had two more guys ready for their next...

Team hiring: a group decision.(Business)
December 1, 2005... I'm a remodeler in Northern California and do about $1.5 million per year in kitchens, baths, and whole-house remodels. Much of the work is subbed, so we can do this volume with a relatively small full-time crew; currently we have two in the...

Building a curved portico: synthetic millwork gives this front entry porch a classic look.
December 1, 2005... Not long ago, I was asked to build a curved portico by adding a roof structure and columns to an existing semicircular front porch on my client's Greek Revival-style home. The critical dimension for the new roof structure was the outside arc of...

Coil framing nailers: coil guns are heavier than stick nailers, so look for a well-balanced tool.(TOOL TEST)
December 1, 2005... Until recently, my framing crew used stick nailers to fasten framing and small coil nailers to fasten sheathing. But about a year ago, we started using larger coil framing guns for both tasks. The reason is simple: Coil guns hold more fasteners...

Foolproof cure for wet basements: skip the exterior excavation and waterproofing--an interior perimeter drainage system can work just as well.
December 1, 2005... While listening to a home-improvement call-in show on the radio the other day, I was struck by the large number of callers who sought solutions to wet-basement problems. Not surprisingly, the nationally syndicated columnist who hosts the show...

Success with traditional trim: window details like profiled stools and aprons with applied moldings have helped this builder find a profitable niche.
December 1, 2005... Just about all my trim details could be described as old-fashioned; I like to build new houses with the traditional look and feel of homes built a century ago. I still cope molding joints rather than resort to corner blocks, and I still build...

Corner stone sink.(Kitchen & Bath / Kitchen Sinks)
December 1, 2005... Accompanied by an integral, rear-placed drainboard and color-matched drain assemblies, this double-bowl, stone-composite sink turns that ornery corner cabinet into a highly usable space. The Basso butterfly bowl is made of 80 percent silica...

Hammered copper.(Kitchen & Bath / Kitchen Sinks)
December 1, 2005... The hand-hammered beauty of the copper Bungalow farmhouse-style sink develops a characteristic patina over time that requires only soap and water to preserve. According to the maker, copper naturally possesses antibacterial properties that...

Polished steel.(Kitchen & Bath / Kitchen Sinks)
December 1, 2005... With its highly polished finish, the model TU 34.18 double-bowl stainless steel sink looks particularly striking against a composite or stone countertop. It can be ordered in a left- or right-hand configuration and is designed to be...

Upscale stainless.(Kitchen & Bath / Kitchen Sinks)
December 1, 2005... Accustomed to fabricating for demanding professional kitchens, this maker produces crisp, geometric sinks that stand out in a crowd, let alone in a countertop. The finely crafted stainless steel UrbanEdge Model 2060 is designed j for island...

Don't mix, match.(Kitchen & Bath / Bathroom Fittings & Fixtures)
December 1, 2005... Minimalist in design, the Brizo Quiessence Bath Collection re-creates the look of a modern European spa. From flush levers to towel bars to wall-mounted faucets, these Euro-style fittings tie together diverse bathroom elements. The collection...

Home suite Chateau.(Kitchen & Bath / Bathroom Fittings & Fixtures)
December 1, 2005... This suite of accessory fittings coordinates with the maker's ubiquitous Chateau faucet. The Mason Collection includes a double robe hook, a paper holder, a towel ring, and 18- and 24-inch towel bars. The set lists for about $40 in chrome,...

Urban chic.(Kitchen & Bath / Bathroom Fittings & Fixtures)
December 1, 2005... The Motiv Frame collection features rectangular plaques and round towel bars in polished chrome and satin nickel finishes. Toiletry shelves, mirrors, hooks, and lights are also available. These fittings target the midpriced range-$42 to...

Functional art.(Kitchen & Bath / Bathroom Fittings & Fixtures)
December 1, 2005... Distinguished by hand-blown, cased white opal glass shades splashed with multicolored accents, Murrina Glass G-9 Halogen Series line-voltage wall fixtures use 25-, 40-, and 60-watt bulbs and can be dimmed with conventional devices. Metal-finish...

Specialty deck boards.(Products)
December 1, 2005... Carpenters and deck-builders who use hollow composite decking such as GeoDeck often saw conventional deck boards into their own unique profiles for trim details. Now GeoDeck offers a pair of new ready-made profiles designed to eliminate much of...

It's all there.(Products)
December 1, 2005... Replacement sash and balances are great for upgrading windows with sound frames and trim, but sometimes you have to replace the whole unit. Crestline's Replacement Window with Applied Brickmould can be ordered in just about any size, which...

Pint-sized peel-and-stick.(Products)
December 1, 2005... Small roofing projects--installing a skylight, flashing a chimney, and the like--don't usually require huge amounts of self-stick underlayment. Grace's Detail Membranes are 9- and 18-inch-wide versions of the company's popular Ice and Water...

Stronger rail posts.(Products / Metal Connectors)
December 1, 2005... Most common rail-post connections fail at about 200 pounds, or roughly half the required force for tested connections. A simple way to beef up this structural element is with a DeckLok Bracket. Available in hot-dipped galvanized and stainless...

Good connections.(Products / Metal Connectors)
December 1, 2005... Did you know that conventional washers can pull through framing members in high-wind and seismic events? You can boost the strength of these connections with oversized 1/4-inch-thick washers like the BP 1/2-3 and BP 5/8-3 from Simpson...

Better-looking vinyl accessories.(Products / Durable Exterior Trim)
December 1, 2005... The days when "vinyl siding accessories" meant color-matched J-channel and corner posts are past. Today's siding manufacturers offer good-looking trims and accessories that transform the look of vinyl. Certain Teed, for instance, has rounded...

Quick curves.(Products / Durable Exterior Trim)
December 1, 2005... The next time you need to trim out an arch-top window or other curved trim element, consider using cellular PVC in conjunction with Heatcon's Heat Blankets. These 5-inch-wide by 64-inch-long flexible heating elements can warm a piece of...

New venture.(Products / Durable Exterior Trim)
December 1, 2005... For many years, the name "Fypon" was practically synonymous with polyurethane millwork, but now the manufacturer is branching out. Its cellular PVC trim and sheet-stock products allegedly cut and machine just like wood and won't absorb water or...

Keep it simple.(Products / Whole-House Audio & Video)
December 1, 2005... Sometimes simple is better. Many homeowners just want a way to listen to their music anywhere in the house without a lot of technological wizardry. For these folks I'd recommend a basic whole-house audio system like Audioplex's Contractor...

All in one.(Products / Whole-House Audio & Video)
December 1, 2005... AS someone who grew up watching The Jetsons, I'm a little disappointed that we still don't have flying cars, robotic maids, and meals at the push of a button. However, Leviton's Digital Distribution Center--part of the company's Entertainment...

Easy AV.(Products / Whole-House Audio & Video)
December 1, 2005... Got a client who's looking for an integrated audio and video system but doesn't want to spend a fortune? Show him Sony's CDP-NW10 in-wall audio system and DVP-NW50 in-wall home theater. The company claims the systems are easy to install,...

Executive conference Replacement Contractor.(Calendar)
December 1, 2005... Join fellow replacement company owners and hear what the experts say about the home improvement industry Learn about major issues affecting the fast-growing exterior replacement industry & ways to improve your business Network with the...

Delta 36-255L TwinLaser Miter Saw.(Toolbox)
December 1, 2005... The first time I saw a laser on a miter saw, it struck me as a gimmick meant to attract inexperienced users. Since I'd used laserless miter saws for years, I didn't consider the feature a real benefit. But after about a year of using Delta's...

Pocket-sized Sawzall.(Toolbox / Handsaws)
December 1, 2005... Milwaukee's Job Saw accepts standard recip blades and is quite adept, I've found, at cutting everything from door openings in drywall to copper tubing in tight joist cavities. My favorite feature is the tool's quick-release blade clamp, which...

Combination blade.(Toolbox / Handsaws)
December 1, 2005... Despite all the improvements and innovations in power saws, sometimes a handsaw is still the right tool for the job. Irwin claims that its 15-inch Carpenter Saw ranks among the fastest-cutting handsaws in the world. Personally, I think the...

Center cut.(Toolbox / Handsaws)
December 1, 2005... By now, you have probably come across or even used a Japanese-style dozuki saw; this tool is great for cutting dovetails, trimming door jambs, and flush-cutting wood plugs (Lee Valley's version is the top tool shown at right). But you are...

Multiple personality.(Toolbox / Handsaws)
December 1, 2005... About 15 years ago, I borrowed my father's hacksaw. I still haven't returned it. But now--after taking a look at the Nicholson 4-in-1 High-Tension Hacksaw--I am ready to give it back. In addition to the standard blade configuration, the 4-in-1...

Mortar shooter.(Toolbox / Concrete & Masonry Tools)
December 1, 2005... I spent almost a month of my early working life tuck-pointing a 2,400-square-foot house with a grout bag. It was a valuable experience that gave me a lot of time to contemplate the advantages of an education--but I bet the Quikpoint Drill-Mate...

Chip off the old block.(Toolbox / Concrete & Masonry Tools)
December 1, 2005... Demolition with a jackhammer can be hard and noisy work, but Makita is promising to make it easier--and less thunderous--with the new HM1810. At 107 decibels, this 70-pound electric breaker hammer is the industry's quietest, says Makita, and...

Not the same old grind.(Toolbox / Concrete & Masonry Tools)
December 1, 2005... Crawling around the floor hunched over a dusty concrete grinder is no fun. So get up already. Blastrac's Grinder-Vac Dolly is a heavy-duty 7-inch grinder mounted on a wheeled cart that you operate standing up. Unlike the more expensive 220-volt...

Stare-worthy handrail.(Backfill)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... The meticulously restored exterior of this late-19th-century mansard-roofed Victorian home in Cambridge, Mass., gives no clue to the presence of a beautifully crafted and surprisingly whimsical central staircase within. Built and installed by...