The Journal of Light Construction articles from January 2004

The Journal of Light Construction archives from January 2004

It's not the stucco.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... To the Editor: I am so pleased that JLC was able to crack open the veil of the stucco industry's secrecy ("Minnesota Building Official Makes Waves With Stucco Warning," In the News, 10/03). Now we don't have to hide in dark alleyways and...

Lopsided reporting.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... To the Editor: I can't recall ever having seen such a one-sided and thoroughly slanted hit piece done by a respected trade journal as your article "Bucking Trend, California Picks NFPA Building Code" (In the News, 10/03). The only views...

Step in the right direction.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... To the Editor: I appreciated the article "Doing Vinyl Right" (11/03). The reason I hesitate to specify vinyl is the generally poor detailing and poor workmanship. It seems everyone is a "certified installer," but finding a truly qualified...

Preventing hanger corrosion.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... To the Editor: Your news item "New Wood Treatments May Be More Corrosive" (In the News, 9/03) was right on time: I'm rebuilding a deck using ACQ framing. To combat any premature corrosion, I isolated all metal framing connectors from the...

Privacy protection for Mac.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... To the Editor: I read with interest your article concerning privacy invasion problems and identity theft on the Internet (Computers, 11/03). While I realize most people use PCs, many of us use Macs because they are generally better at...

Flashing the tops of deck joists.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... To the Editor: I enjoyed the article on deck ledgers and found all the details interesting. However, I noticed there is no allowance for flashing for the tops of the joists. We use a self-sticking bituminous membrane on top of all...

New ASHRAE ventilation standard published: but controversy continues as NAHB and gas appliance manufacturers take aim at subjective air quality definitions.(In The News)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
January 1, 2004... While DOE has enjoyed smooth sailing on energy code revisions, a committee working on a residential ventilation standard for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has had a much rougher voyage....

Why OSB prices went over the top.(Special Report)(Oriented strand board)
January 1, 2004... Builders may be surprised to see OSB prices behaving differently than sawn lumber prices, but students of economics shouldn't be. It's straight out of Economics 101: a classic example of the difference between an industry with many producers...

Indiana's highest court has upheld the state's power to regulate isolated wetlands.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Indiana's highest court has upheld the state's power to regulate isolated wetlands, reports the Indianapolis Star. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2000 stripped that authority from the Army Corps of Engineers, holding that the phrase "waters of...

The Seattle Planning Commission is recommending zoning changes.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Seattle Planning Commission is recommending zoning changes that would allow homeowners to build small detached housing units next to existing single-family homes on lots throughout the city, says a report in the Puget Sound Business...

Minneapolis resident Roy Nguyen is happy with the location of the home he's building near the city's airport.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Minneapolis resident Roy Nguyen is happy with the location of the home he's building near the city's airport, even though hundreds of jets fly over the property at 200 to 800 feet every day. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Nguyen...

Home Depot has announced the purchase of RMA, Inc.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Home Depot has announced the purchase of RMA, Inc., the nation's third largest replacement window and siding installer. With 20 branch offices and 985 employees nationwide, Atlanta-based RMA has been installing products for Home Depot since...

Insulating forms handle TNT blast in military demonstration.(In The News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... After a blast demonstration involving ICF structures last spring at the U.S. Marine base in Quantico, Va., military builders are taking more interest in insulating concrete forms. According to Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA)...

Clean, smart, and natural: BuildingGreen picks top 10 products.(In The News, green products)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Green" is a hard term to pin down, especially if you're not an expert. So when a client has green leanings, choosing the best products can get tricky. One good place to turn for guidance is BuildingGreen, Inc., the publisher of...

In fire's aftermath come builder shortage, mudslide risk.(In The News, earthquakes and fire disasters)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... It's part of the California culture: Take your chances with earthquake and fire, and if disaster strikes, start over. Hundreds of homeowners wiped out by October's wildfires are already vowing to rebuild their homes. Their determination...

In spite of recent gains, women still own a scant 8% of the U.S.'s 2.6 million construction businesses.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... In spite of recent gains, women still own a scant 8% of the U.S.'s 2.6 million construction businesses, according to a wire service report. Women make up just over 9% of construction employees nationwide, and hold mostly clerical and...

The U.S. has cut countervailing import duties charged to Canfor, Canada's largest wood exporter.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The U.S. has cut countervailing import duties charged to Canfor, Canada's largest wood exporter, according to Canadian press reports. The U.S. slaps an average 27% surcharge on incoming Canadian wood, to make up for what the Commerce Department...

In his second executive order as California's governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger has terminated all pending regulations.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... In his second executive order as California's governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger has terminated all pending regulations. At least for 180 days, that is, while the governor's office conducts a review of each rule to see whether it conforms with the...

How to prime new pine.(Q&A, pine exterior, home building)
January 1, 2004... Q. We're new home builders and use a lot of newly milled kiln-dried eastern white pine exterior trim. We paint it in batches, spraying both sides with a good-quality oil-based primer, then following with two topcoats of 100% acrylic. To cut...

Comparing propane and oil.(Q&A, home heating fuel)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
January 1, 2004... Q. Which home heating fuel is usually cheaper, oil or propane? A. Martin Holladay responds: The short answer is that oil is almost always cheaper. Simply comparing the per-gallon prices of the two fuels does not provide a fair comparison,...

LVL dimensions.(Q&A, Laminated Veneer Lumber)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Q. Why are LVLs sized differently than framing lumber? I can understand the 1 3/4-inch-thickness dimension, because two laminations make up a matching header for a 2x4 wall, but why are they 9 1/2 inches deep instead of 9 1/4? A. Paul...

Allocating overhead to labor makes financial sense.(Business, overhead expenses)
January 1, 2004... If I were to ask ten contractors how they calculate and apply overhead (indirect expense) to their estimates or time-and-material work, I would get ten different answers. If I were to press further as to how they arrived at their numbers, most...

Writing an employee manual.(Legal, employee handbook)
January 1, 2004... If you're like most business owners, you already have more than enough paperwork to do. Why should you spend valuable time writing an employee manual? Sorry, but if you have more than one or two employees, you need one. You need it for the same...

Clever storage for kitchen and bath: for the best storage solutions, you need to think outside the box.(custom cabinets)
January 1, 2004... My husband, Bob, and I run a design-build remodeling company in California's Silicon Valley. Many of our customers are engineers, so they expect cabinets to be highly functional and designed to fit their specific needs, in addition to being...

Repairing a bulging foundation: this commonsense approach uses concrete deadmen on the outside to stabilize a buckling basement wall.(concrete foundations)
January 1, 2004... Soils in the Hope, Kan., area where I live and work are tough on foundations. While the expansive clay soils aren't as bad as in some parts of the country, they still cause bulges and cracks in many foundations. In the 35-plus years I've been a...

Top-down roofing: shingling from the top down protects the new roof from foot traffic and makes setting and removing staging a lot easier.(roofing services )
January 1, 2004... When attendees at the JLC Live expos see the schedule in front of my demonstration clinic, they come up and ask, "Why would anyone want to shingle a roof backwards?" While it may seem counterintuitive, top-down roofing makes sense in a number...

Making the markup move: getting paid what you're worth can be as easy as asking for it.(house builders)
January 1, 2004... Builders become builders because they love to build things, not because they're passionate about sales calls and estimating. But there's no way around it: You can't be a successful builder without also running a profitable business. And for...

Fixing the holes where the air gets in: tighten the envelope to improve insulation performance, and don't forget the mechanical ventilation.(interior housing, building construction)
January 1, 2004... To get the best performance from insulation, either the framer has to build an airtight shell or the insulation contractor has to install an airtight product. It's a proven fact that insulation R-values are compromised by uncontrolled air...

The benefits of building your business on Nailite: three contractors share their experiences with Nailite siding.(Paid Advertisement, interviews with George Needham, Don Cooper, Bill Chase )(Interview)
January 1, 2004... Nailite International is the leading name in high-quality specialty siding, and offers the broadest product line. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Nailite has been authentically replicating cedar, brick and stone for more than 20 years. ...

Document management with ACT!(Computers, customer management, managing documents and correspondence)
January 1, 2004... You might think of ACT! as a contact manager or a task scheduler--and it does both of those things as well as or better than any other CRM (customer relations management) package on the market. But in construction, you can't manage customers...

Lift with your sleeves.(Products)
January 1, 2004... Few things are more potentially dangerous or exhausting than moving a commercial-sized stove or side-by-side refrigerator, especially over rough terrain or up steps. When Thomas Dent was working his way through college, it was a problem he...

Watertight decking.(Products)
January 1, 2004... It seems like such a shame to waste the covered spaces under decks, but traditional decking doesn't provide much protection from rain and dirt. Homeland Vinyl Products now offers a waterproof decking that the manufacturer says is perfect for...

Panda plywood.(Products)
January 1, 2004... Bamboo, once reserved for zoo exhibits and tiki bars, has now found its way into American homes, first as durable flooring and more recently as a sturdy and attractive plywood. Smith and Fong, manufacturer of Plyboo flooring, also makes a line...

Looking grate.(Products)
January 1, 2004... Compared to hot-water systems, forced-air heating systems are less expensive to install and provide an easy way to include central air conditioning. However, many homeowners complain about dust (real or imagined) that the systems blow around...

Rust fighter.(Structural Fasteners)
January 1, 2004... Concerns over the new ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) pressure-treating formula corroding metal connectors at an accelerated rate has most builders wondering how to protect their clients and themselves. Until there's more conclusive...

Good grip.(Structural Fasteners)
January 1, 2004... If you're looking for a strong connection to concrete, you might consider the Titen HD from Simpson. Available in 3/8- and 1/2-inch diameters from 13/4 to 6 inches long, these heavy-duty anchors can provide over 8,000 pounds of shear strength...

Sturdy screws.(Structural Fasteners)
January 1, 2004... Not that long ago, attaching structural components required bolts or lag screws, but several years ago GRK introduced Self-Drilling Structural Screws. These sturdy and innovative fasteners provide two to three times the shear strength of...

High style.(Structural Fasteners)
January 1, 2004... Structural connectors, while important, aren't generally what your customer wants to show off to the neighbors. The notable exception might be the work of Creative Metal. The Montana-based shop can manage just about any architectural...

Maintenance-friendly filter.(Central Vacuums & Accessories)
January 1, 2004... Central vacuums are a great way to improve indoor quality--allergy sufferers frequently report an improvement in their symptoms after installation of a system. The Afuera Central Vacuum System from Electrolux uses a special HEPA-rated,...

Clean sweep.(Central Vacuums & Accessories)
January 1, 2004... Central vacuum systems are great, but dragging out 30 feet of hose to sweep up a little spilled rice or some coffee grounds seems excessive. For a quick sweep, I think an automatic dustpan makes more sense. A good example is the VacPan...

Quiet down.(Central Vacuums & Accessories)
January 1, 2004... With the power unit located in the garage or basement, central vacuums are certainly quieter than conventional vacuums, but further noise reduction can be obtained with an exhaust muffler. Most central vac manufacturers offer exhaust mufflers,...

Garage entourage.(Central Vacuums & Accessories)
January 1, 2004... One of the great things about a central vacuum system is the wide selection of tools and accessories available--there seems to be a wand, nozzle, and hose for every job. NuTone even offers two cleaning kits for tidying up the garage and car....

Door with allure.(Exterior Doors)
January 1, 2004... One of the most popular and revered American architectural styles is the bungalow. People love the little houses because of their comfortable proportions and attractive architectural details. The Bungalow Handcrafted Door Series from Simpson...

Paint-free entry.(Exterior Doors)
January 1, 2004... Most homeowners have a love-hate relationship with wood exterior doors. They love the look but hate the maintenance. According to its manufacturer, the Ultra Extruded Aluminum Clad Raised-Panel Door from Kolbe and Kolbe is the solution to...

Vinyl frontier.(Exterior Doors)
January 1, 2004... Until recently, there weren't many choices in vinyl patio doors--most manufacturers limited their offerings to a couple of 5- and 6-foot sliding units. But now you can find center-hinge and French-style patio doors, as well. One example is the...

Rot-free frame.(Exterior Doors)
January 1, 2004... The second-growth, finger-jointed lumber used in most door jambs seems especially susceptible to rot. In shady or damp areas, it's not uncommon for a door frame to go spongy after only a year or two. One solution to rotting jambs is the Frame...

Eye candy.(Tile)
January 1, 2004... Photography only hints at the striking three-dimensional qualities of this tile. Through a smooth undulating surface of clear glass, the textured, hand-colored backside reflects light with an iridescent effect. Vitrium glass tile is available...

Metal mosaics.(Tile)
January 1, 2004... Solder doesn't replace grout in the Metallismo line of brass and stainless-steel mosaic tile. Each tile is rubber backed to prevent conductivity, and the mosaics are mesh-mounted for easy installation. Shapes include squares, mini bricks,...

Picture this.(Tile)
January 1, 2004... How about a bleacherful of adoring fans adorning the client's shower wall surround? Images in Tile can permanently infuse any image into the surface of a specially coated ceramic, porcelain, or travertine tile. The artwork can occupy a single...

Better grout getter.(Tile)
January 1, 2004... Ceramic tile can last a long time, maybe forever. You probably can't say the same for grout, but it can be tough to remove when it's time for a touch-up. This Grout Saw has a comfortable, resilient handle and a sculpted thumb rest positioned...

POE and POU.(Water Filters)
January 1, 2004... Whether your homeowner clients require a point-of-entry (POE) or point-of-use (POU) water purification solution depends on numerous factors. Chlorine's not going to harm the laundry, but it makes a lousy cup of tea. An undercounter POU filter...

Protozoan park.(Water Filters)
January 1, 2004... If you're well hydrated, you drink at least eight glasses of water a day. That's just fine with cryptosporidium and giardia, wee parasitic protozoa that occur in municipal water supplies large and small and thrive in the human intestinal tract....

No pipe left behind.(Water Filters)
January 1, 2004... Blue stains in the sink and shower are a sure sign of copper corrosion from aggressive (low pH, or acidic) water. Aggressive water shortens appliance life spans, while progressive etching of copper tubing leads to eventual pinholes and system...

Tasteful waste management.(Recycling Center)
January 1, 2004... This organizer accommodates three 25-quart triangular plastic containers and a canvas bag supported on a wire framework. The canvas bag (shown stuffed with plastic shopping bags) is good for stuffing with plastic shopping bags. The containers...

Trash control.(Recycling Center)
January 1, 2004... Homeowners have to think twice about their trash nowadays as more disposal companies begin to enforce rigid curbside presentations--all in the name of recycling, of course. Cans in one container, glass in another, newspapers lovingly bundled...

The recyclinator.(Recycling Center)
January 1, 2004... Here's a setup that could make taking out the trash a thing of the past. The Recyclit's stainless-steel chutes install through an exterior kitchen wall and emerge outside into a permanently-installed steel canopy that neatly tops a roll cart or...

Hose-free siding stapler.(Toolbox, utility staplers)
January 1, 2004... As a remodeler, one of my favorite tools is my Impulse framing nailer. Aside from the obvious benefit of quicker setups, it saves me from having to drag dirty hoses through a customer's clean house or subject customers to the annoying drone of...

Dust-free drywall sanding.(Toolbox, sanders, Porter-Cable Corp.)
January 1, 2004... I've wanted to try Porter-Cable's long-handled drywall sander since it was introduced almost ten years ago. The manufacturer claims that the tool is easier and three times faster than hand sanding, and that it eliminates more than 90% of...

Scraping by.(Demolition Tools)
January 1, 2004... Stripping a floor's worth of glue-down carpet or vinyl tile can be a huge job, but you can make it go faster and easier with a power scraper like the SFCS16 Floor Covering Scraper from Stow. A 3/4-horsepower motor powers straight or angled...

Stack the deck.(Demolition Tools)
January 1, 2004... Removing decking or board sheathing is a breeze with the Duckbill Deck Wrecker. The high-quality tool has a long handle for maximum leverage and a reversible head, so you can use it even when you're working right against the house or railing. I...

Attack axe.(Demolition Tools)
January 1, 2004... If you haven't realized your childhood dream of being a heroic firefighter rushing to the scene of a blaze, you can at least use the same tools. I'd start with the Truckman Demolition Axe by Spencer Products. According to the manufacturer, the...

Slide rule.(Demolition Tools)
January 1, 2004... Even though slide-action nail pullers have been around longer than anybody can remember, you don't see them very often. Crescent's Model 56 Nail Puller is typical of the genre. It has an 18-inch handle for plenty of leverage and a 2-pound slide...

Hull-house remodel.(Backfill, boathouses,)(Miles Kellogg)
January 1, 2004... Did someone say "existing nonconforming"? The prints for these Encinitas, Calif., boat houses would never have satisfied a modern plans examiner, but no one worried about that sort of thing in 1928, when the structures were built. The builder,...