The Journal of Light Construction articles from January 2005

The Journal of Light Construction archives from January 2005

Lead risks are real.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Thank you for the story "Lead-Safe Remodeling" (9/04). Unfortunately, while some overreact to this subject, many do not take it seriously enough. I should know, because I'm one of the latter. One month ago, my child was diagnosed with a...

Effective AC for humid climates.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Mr. Akers did a great job of covering many of the critical elements in his article "Air Conditioning for Humid Climates" (10/04). I would like to add a couple of comments. Almost all of the humidity control techniques that Mr. Akers...

Stray voltage problem resolved.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Reading the article "Stray Voltage Zaps Homeowners" (10/04) was like reading my own story. I have an in-ground swimming pool that was installed in 1990, with everything done to code. Over the last six years or so, we noticed that when swimmers...

Code correction.(Letters)(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2005... In the article "Resisting Tornado Damage" (10/04), the drawing on page 147 indicates that the 2003 IRC requires trusses to be connected to the top plate with two 16d toenails. But Section R802.10.5 requires that trusses be connected to the top...

Supporting safety.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Thank you for bringing to the attention of your readers the importance of building to the requirements of the International Residential Code and local codes. Your October 2004 articles "Hurricane Charley's First Lessons," "Hurricane-Rated...

Energy ratings of impact-resistant windows.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... I read the October article on hurricane-rated windows with interest. The article never mentioned the energy performance of these windows, other than that some add a second layer of glass. Are they available with low-E coatings? What sort of...

Cupped LVL.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... In the August 2004 Products, there was a product evaluation conducted on the FastenMaster TrussLok screw manufactured by OMG of Agawam, Mass., which was developed specifically for engineered wood products. The article indicates that the screws...

Of mice and cats.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Regarding the Q&A "Mice and Insulation" (10/04): Get a cat, or maybe two, if it's a real problem (two will keep each other company). You don't have to really love them that much; think of them as "working cats." Like a cattle dog or milk cow,...

Radon help.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2005... Paul Fisette gave a good answer on where to find information about radon and fixing radon problems (Q&A, 9/04). At the site Paul mentioned, www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/, there's a good publication, "Building Radon Out," that describes how to prevent...

Bore Buster price correction.(Letters)(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2005... Unfortunately, the $500 price for the L.J. Smith Bore Buster kit quoted in the article "Stair-Building Tools" (12/04) is a wholesale price. You'll have to check with your local suppliers for retail sales. The kit comes in a couple of versions...

Southern California works to address wildfire risks: many local governments still lack codes designed to protect homes from fires.(In The News)
January 1, 2005... In the fall of 2003, wildfires in California burned 750,000 acres, destroyed 3,645 homes, and killed 22 people. San Diego County's Cedar Fire alone killed 14 and wiped out 2,232 houses, 22 commercial properties, and $66 out buildings as it...

Post-storm Florida faces plaque of soggy walls.(In The News)
January 1, 2005... Months after four hurricanes drenched Florida with record rainfall, homeowners, builders, and building officials are puzzling over an unexpected problem: While wind damage in much of the state was lighter than feared, water damage was...

Homeowner challenges Michigan environmental law.(In The News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... A Grand Rapids, Mich., lawyer who tried to build a home on a Lake Michigan waterfront lot was awarded $2 million after the state tried to stop him. The case is a good example of how unexpected things can happen to a building project that runs...

Permanent coatings gaining ground.(In The News)(Alvis Coatings Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Vinyl siding has become a common alternative to wood siding, with well-defined trade-offs for both builders and homeowners. Vinyl is reasonably priced and durable, and it eliminates the need to repaint. But it also presents aesthetic issues in...

Changes in California lighting law to increase builder costs.(In The News)
January 1, 2005... In California, the ongoing energy crisis has become a fact of life for both residents and builders, and so have the associated higher prices for many basic services. But the economics of one of those services are about to shift: The upcoming...

Timber Treatment Technologies (TTT) has introduced a new wood preservative.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Timber Treatment Technologies (TTT) has introduced a new wood preservative that the Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., company hopes will provide a nontoxic alternative to traditional, copper-based treatments like ACQ. Called TimberSIL, the product...

In mid-October, Nevada officials announced a program to train electrical workers.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... In mid-October, Nevada officials announced a program to train electrical workers to install photovoltaic systems, which convert sunlight to electricity. According to an article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a $250,000 federal grant will fund...

Indianapolis-area Trinity Homes, a division of Beazer Homes, has set aside $24 million for mold remediation.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Indianapolis-area Trinity Homes, a division of Beazer Homes, has set aside $24 million for mold remediation after a court approved a settlement in a class-action lawsuit between the builder and owners of more than 2,000 area homes, according to...

Drywall orientation in tall rooms.(Q&A)
January 1, 2005... Q. I am about to install drywall in a workshop with 9-foot ceilings, and I don't see why I should install it the traditional way, horizontally. Why not buy 10-foot sheets, cut off one foot, and hang the board vertically? This would put all tire...

Does lumber grow stronger with age?(Q&A)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Q. I've heard that in older buildings (at least 70 years old) the effective strength of wood members like joists and rafters increases with age. If that's true, how does one evaluate the increase? Or is the increase negligible? A. Paul...

Curing concrete in hot weather.(Q&A)(concrete construction)
January 1, 2005... Q. I've recently moved my contracting business to the South. Concrete finishers here tell me that a slab poured outside on a hot day won't cure properly unless it's kept wet. They do this by having someone periodicals spray the slab with water...

Fireplace surrounds.(Design)
January 1, 2005... Though many elements factor into the making of a successful fireplace, one of the most important is the design of the surround. The challenge is to marry the appropriate surround to the fireplace's context. There are essentially two types of...

WIP your company into shape.(Business)(Work-in-Progress)
January 1, 2005... How often has this happened to you: After what looks like a really good month, you go out and buy an expensive piece of equipment, like a truck. Then the following month is a really bad one, and you wish you hadn't. If this situation...

When employees leave for military service.(Legal)
January 1, 2005... You run a small construction company. Eighteen months ago, you had to hire and train a manager to replace an employee whose Army Reserve unit was called up and sent to Iraq. Things are finally running smoothly again, when the reservist calls to...

Timber-frame roofs for great rooms: classic mortise-and-tenon timber trusses add timeless appeal to open rooms without the expense of a whole-house frame.(Cover Story)
January 1, 2005... If it hasn't happened already, chances are good that one of these days a client will ask you to incorporate some timber framing into a new house or addition. Your reaction probably won't be neutral. Either you'll welcome the challenge of...

Exposed aggregate concrete: an aggregate finish and inset masonry can dress up a humble concrete slab.
January 1, 2005... Concrete is a durable and cost-effective material for walkways, patios, and drives. While plain concrete is not particularly attractive, there are many ways to improve its looks: You can color it with pigment, texture it to look like something...

Getting pipe staging right: erected properly, scaffolding brings safety and convenience to high work. Done wrong, it can bring disaster.(Column)
January 1, 2005... As a masonry contractor, I set up and use fabricated frame scaffolding every day. It's an integral part of my business. Frame scaffolding--also called "pipe" or "tubular" scaffold because it's made from welded steel tubing--provides an easily...

Oil paints: going, going, gone? Environmental restrictions in the most populous areas of the country are making oils scarce, but waterborne alternatives are getting better all the time.
January 1, 2005... On New Year's Day, painters in many northeastern states woke up with more than a hangover. New regulations that significantly reduce the allowable content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in most paints and stains took effect on January 1...

Controlled access.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Once reserved for commercial construction, mechanical access panels are finding their way into many of today's larger homes. Building a discreet and functional panel requires a surprising amount of time and effort, but Access Panel Solution's...

Fire tube.(Products)
January 1, 2005... If you or your customers are searching for a jaw-dropping design feature, look no further than the Cyclone Gas Fireplace. This unique product's clear cylindrical tube houses an actual gas-fueled fire tornado. The fireplace is sold two ways:...

Mud pack.(Products)
January 1, 2005... I've heard that some drywall finishers make their mud spread more easily by adding a little dish soap, but the practice has always concerned me--I don't think soap residue promotes adhesion of paint and wall coverings. Try replacing that soap...

Noncorrosive sills.(Engineered Lumber)
January 1, 2005... Using pressure-treated sill plates is good building practice and it's required by code, but many builders think the new copper azole and ACQ formulas are too corrosive. If you're worried the new formulas could compromise the connections between...

Duct-friendly framing.(Engineered Lumber)
January 1, 2005... It's unlikely that you're going to fit 12-inch holes for mechanicals in solidlumber joists, and that's one of the great benefits of using I-joists. GP's Wide Open Wood I Beam Joists come with two 11 3/4-inch round holes and an 11 3/4-by-16-inch...

Superior stringer stock.(Engineered Lumber)
January 1, 2005... Anyone who has cut stair stringers from modern sawn lumber knows it's not the best material for the job. If you're unhappy with typical lumberyard 2x12s, you should definitely try engineered LSL (laminated strand lumber) or LVL (laminated...

Fire-retardant MDF.(Engineered Lumber)
January 1, 2005... Exposed panel products are often a problem in commercial construction because of flammability issues. Firetreated particleboard is the typical solution--but because particleboard can be covered with only laminate or wood veneer, it limits...

Keep on trekking.(Housewraps)
January 1, 2005... Want a rain-screen system beneath you siding without the added expense of products like Home Slicker or the hassle of strapping the walls? Check out WeatherTrek EVD housewrap. Dimples in the semipermeable (6.5 perms) air and water barrier keep...

Heavy breathing.(Housewraps)
January 1, 2005... In rainy places like the Pacific Northwest, keeping materials dry throughout the entire construction process is virtually impossible. That means weather barriers need to allow water vapor to escape, rather than trapping it in the building...

Sun screen.(Housewraps)
January 1, 2005... If you're concerned that weather or material delays could leave the housewrap on your project exposed for longer than the 120-day maximum recommended by most manufacturers, Typar HouseWrap may be just the product you need. According to the...

Stylish dimmer.(Electrical Equipment)
January 1, 2005... It used to be that there was only one important decision regarding electrical devices: White, brown, or ivory? But today's affluent homeowners want more choices, and they generally want dimmers and switches with a little more flair. Besides...

Quick-connect fluorescent fixtures.(Electrical Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Wiring commercial fluorescent fixtures just got a whole lot easier, thanks to a recent innovation from Juno. The ModuLight System uses a detached, line-voltage converter and flexible cable to power fluorescent fixtures. Juno says the system...

Smooth finish.(Electrical Equipment)
January 1, 2005... Among the latest trends in electrical devices are wall plates with a smooth, fastener-free look--so it's welcome news that Leviton has made its screwless wall plates easier to install. Most designs use subplates with their own mounting screws,...

Chip in.(Solid Surfacing)
January 1, 2005... Hefty translucent acrylic chips add depth and luster to Volcanics Collection acrylic panels. The material is available in eight colors and comes in 1/2-inch-thick, 30-inch-wide sheets. It costs $60 to $80 per square foot installed. LG...

No fooling.(Solid Surfacing)
January 1, 2005... Natural Selections solid-surface vanity tops are handpoured to evoke the rich, variegated character of wood grain or marble. So why not use the real thing? Because that's so last-millennium, dog. Besides, does your natural wood or marble offer...

Bead the bathroom.(Solid Surfacing)
January 1, 2005... We know you're good, but time is money, too, so put away your router and those fancy carbide bits. Swanstone decorative panels come in four patterns and textures and 33 colors for use in wainscot, tub surrounds, kitchen back splashes, and other...

Earth looks.(Solid Surfacing)
January 1, 2005... The large and complex aggregates used in the Classics line give this solid surfacing a unique look reminiscent of natural earth and stone. The acrylic and polyester resin sheets come in 30- and 36-by-145-inch sizes. Suggested installed prices...

Nature calling.(Solid Surfacing)
January 1, 2005... Earth tones are popular in today's kitchen and bath color schemes, which may explain why the number of available patterns and colors in the Avonite Foundations line of 1/2-inch-thick acrylic composite surfacing has more than doubled, to 51. The...

Two-stage package.(Bathroom Ventilation)
January 1, 2005... In new construction, a bath exhaust fan may have to endure some hard knocks before its operating debut in the finished project. That's why the WhisperFit U-Can Contractor Pack is broken down into separate housing and motor/grille packages. The...

What fan?(Bathroom Ventilation)
January 1, 2005... Masquerading as a recessed light, this clever fan is virtually indistinguishable from nearby can fixtures. The Model 744 Recessed Fan Light uses a 75-watt reflector bulb, delivers 70 cfm, and operates at a quiet 2 sones. The housing is made for...

Put the itty back in humidity.(Bathroom Ventilation)
January 1, 2005... Sick to death of hearing about mold and mildew? Do something about it: Connect the bath fan-light to an Air King Delay Timer. The user-adjustable device allows the light to be cut while the fan continues to run for a predetermined interval of...

A mighty wind.(Bathroom Ventilation)
January 1, 2005... Between the steam pouring off the multihead spa shower and certain unavoidable biological assaults on freshness, bathroom air quality takes a real beating. A Two-Port Bathroom Exhaust Kit is just the ticket. This is no puny, rattling,...

Long-range framing square.(Lasers And Levels)
January 1, 2005... If you're looking for an easy-to-use tool that can help with squaring room additions and decks or laying out tile, check out the FR16 Laser Square. This unique device combines a conventional-looking aluminum framing square with a pair of...

All-weather rotary laser.(Lasers And Levels)
January 1, 2005... Working in rain and snow and in extreme heat and cold is a reality of the construction industry, so it's important that your tools are durable and weatherproof. Not only can Trimble's LL300 Spectra Precision Laser Level stand up to the...

Versatile compact laser.(Lasers And Levels)
January 1, 2005... Self-leveling rotary lasers are often the preferred tool for leveling large exterior projects. But unless you're an excavation or foundation contractor, most jobs don't require such an expensive and complex tool. Instead, consider Pacific Laser...

Easy-read level.(Lasers And Levels)
January 1, 2005... Accurate spirit levels require a bubble that's easy to see and a rugged housing that won't bend or distort. While levels have improved greatly over the years, most efforts have focused on improving the durability of housings and the quality of...

Two tooth sizes.(Saw Blades)
January 1, 2005... With conventional saw blades, users often must choose between speed and quality of cut. Blades with fewer teeth cut fast but rough. Blades with more teeth produce cleaner cuts, but they cut slower and put a greater strain on the saw....

Go the distance.(Saw Blades)
January 1, 2005... Marathon circular-saw blades are popular with professional users for two simple reasons: They work well and they're a good value. Recent additions to the line include an improved Marathon Deck Blade and Marathon Blades for Cordless Saws. The...

Smooth operator.(Saw Blades)
January 1, 2005... Paying $100 or more for a saw blade may be a tough pill to swallow, but I've never talked to anyone who's regretted buying one of Forrest's Woodworker II blades. Available in sizes from 4 3/8 to 12 inches, the Woodworker II uses C4 carbide and...

Shim-free dado set.(Saw Blades)
January 1, 2005... If fussing with the shims on your stacked dado set is cutting into your productivity, try Freud's new Dial-A-Width Dado Set. Instead of various shims, the cutter uses a dial hub that adjusts the dado thickness .004 inch with every click. The...

Porter-cable high-pressure nailer.(Toolbox)(Porter-Cable Corp.)
January 1, 2005... I run a framing crew in Washington state. Because I've already tested one high-pressure nailing system ("Max PowerLite High-Pressure Nailer," 6/04), ILC asked me recently to take a look at another--Porter-Cable's new CLFCP350 high-pressure...

Necessity is the mother of invention.(Toolbox)(ProSite Protractor, a tool to measure angles innovated by Marc Shapiro)
January 1, 2005... A few years ago, a co-worker and I were trimming out an 1893 townhouse in Washington, D.C.'s tony Georgetown neighborhood. On this high-end job, all the joints had to be tight and the miters perfect. The job got me thinking about better ways to...

Building in a bubble.(Backfill)(Littlewood Geodesic Domes )(Column)
January 1, 2005... Ask any owner of a construction business what his biggest headache is, and chances are the answer will be scheduling--scheduling around permit issues, client indecision, and that least controllable of all contingencies, the weather. In the warm...