The Journal of Light Construction articles from March 2005

The Journal of Light Construction archives from March 2005

Cooling vs. dehumidification.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... The graph in Figure 1 of the article "Air Conditioning for Humid Climates" (10/04) is misleading. The caption of the original figure, from a 1999 publication, indicated that it represented the annual sensible and latent loads for cooling...

Sheathing not water-repellent.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... In December's Q&A, editor Don Jackson stated that the IRC (2003) does not require a vapor barrier behind brick veneer when a 1-inch air space is provided between the plywood or OSB sheathing and the brick. I'm afraid Mr. Jackson got it only...

Smaller is greener.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... According to "Strictly Green in Vermont" (In the News, 12/04), Vermont Builds Greener is the only green-building program with a house-size factor. That is not true: The Earth Craft Program, which is used in Atlanta and is about to be adopted by...

Manufactured stone.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... The article on manufactured-stone veneer (12/04) highlights a key issue for the building industry. Regardless of the material, no cladding system is durable if improperly installed. In every instance where the author found a problem, the...

Sub-slab moisture membrane.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... In November 2004 Products, you outlined a way to stop seepage by using Delta-MS air-gap membrane under the slab. The featured technique, which requires a "waste" slab, is used only in unusually severe moisture conditions. The standard...

Efficient fireplaces.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... I enjoyed Katie Hutchison's observations about fireplaces (Design, 1/05). I take issue, however, with the statement that a Rumford design is efficient. While it will radiate more heat back to the occupants than a standard firebox design, it's...

Study links unvented gas heaters to asthma symptoms; combustion gases pose risk to students, researchers say.(In The News)
March 1, 2005... So-called "vent-free" fireplaces, gas logs, and heaters are found in many homes and permitted in most jurisdictions. Researchers are still investigating the potential health effects of breathing the carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and...

City of Chicago blames partygoers in fatal porch collapse.(In The News)
March 1, 2005... Thirteen young people died on June 29, 2003, when a third-story porch in Chicago's Lincoln Park district gave way, crushing those below on the first- and second-story porches (In the News, 9/03). Now, after having been named in a series of...

Habitat for Humanity International has fired its founder and president, Millard Fuller.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Habitat for Humanity International has fired its founder and president, Millard Fuller. The Americus, Ga.-based nonprofit also fired his wife, Linda Fuller, who co-founded Habitat with her husband in 1976. The January 31 firings came after...

Green is growing.(Off Cuts)(more building permits for environmentally responsible buildings)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Green is growing. Scottsdale, Ariz., reported strong growth in permits for "green" buildings, according to a story in the Scottsdale Republic. The article credits Scottsdale's environmental building program, which consists of a rating system...

A Boca Raton, Fla., builder was arrested in November for failing to carry workers' comp.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A Boca Raton, Fla., builder was arrested in November for failing to carry workers' comp, after two employees were killed and five injured in a building collapse. According to a story in the Miami Herald, Richard J. Meccariello Jr. has been...

Conference highlights new California efficiency standards.(In The News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Nearly 250 hvac contractors, GCs, and building performance contractors attended Affordable Comfort's January conference in San Ramon, Calif. The two-day event included more than a dozen instructional demonstrations of test methods used to...

Florida Builders group issues waterproofing guidelines.(In The News)(Florida Home Builders Association)
March 1, 2005... In January, JLC reported that a number of central Florida homes had experienced water leaks during last year's storms, despite minimal wind damage. Now the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) has issued a report outlining the causes of the...

Retaining wall causes rift in Michigan town.(Sundry Development Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... What happens when a developer builds a 30-foot retaining wall next to a city road, without permission from the town in which the project is located? In Lowell, Mich., the result has been a series of contentious meetings between the city...

The U.S. General Services Administration recently updated its online.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The U.S. General Services Administration recently updated its online Construction Waste Management Database. Builders can now search by zip code, state, and material type for companies that collect construction debris. The database is free. For...

In May 2005, movers and shakers of a global industry.(Off Cuts)
March 1, 2005... In May 2005, movers and shakers of a global industry will descend like flies upon China. The city of Shanghai is hosting its first World Toilet Expo and Forum, sponsored by the World Toilet Organization (WTO; www.worldtoiletexpo.com). If you...

Bosch table saw recall announced.(In The News)(Robert Bosch Tool Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... About 120,000 Skil table saws have been voluntarily recalled by Robert Bosch Tool Corp. According to a report put out by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Model 3400 saw can malfunction in two ways: The blade drive mechanism can...

HUD lunches push to put SIPs in code.(In The News)(Department of Housing and Urban Development)
March 1, 2005... HUD, the NAHB Research Center, and the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) have announced a 12-month push to develop a "prescriptive method" for SIP construction. Funded by HUD's Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH)...

Rising impact fees see no limits.(In The News)
March 1, 2005... As the cost of building continues to rise, many builders are complaining about what they see as a proliferation of unfair fees. Some of these fees simply seem excessive, while others include charges for costs that have little or nothing to do...

Affordable-housing rules generate controversy in New Jersey.(In The News)
March 1, 2005... In a densely populated state where housing costs have skyrocketed, a recent decision by New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to make sweeping changes in the state's affordable housing laws has drawn the ire of the New Jersey...

Homeowners spent nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars on home improvement and remodeling in 2003.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Homeowners spent nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars on home improvement and remodeling in 2003, according to a study released this January by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. Nearly 45 percent of those dollars...

Ventilation vs. eaves blocking in seismic zones.(Q & A)
March 1, 2005... Q. I have a question about the hidden soffit vent details you've published recently (Backfill, 7/04; Letters, 10/04). Is it possible to build this so that you get a positive transfer of lateral loads from the roof sheathing to rite frieze...

Demo near post-tension cables.(Q & A)
March 1, 2005... Q. What precautions should you take when tearing out a post-tensioned slab? What are the risks? We are pouring a large post-tensioned slab, and while there is no demo involved at this stage, I would like to know how to proceed in case there is...

Where eaves meet rake.(Design)(roofs)
March 1, 2005... The roof can be one of the most defining elements of a house: Look at any child's drawing, where a strong triangle atop a box is likely to say "home." The way the roof terminates at the eaves and rake contributes greatly to both the...

A handyman's guide to self-preservation.(Business)(management of construction industry)
March 1, 2005... I run a one-person handyman service in Southern California. My jobs are small and short--a few hours to a couple of days--but unfortunately they're not always clear-cut. Every job is different, which keeps it interesting for me but also makes...

Keeping tabs on income.(Business)(financial management)
March 1, 2005... It may sound obvious, but it's important to know when payments will be coming in from customers--especially when cash is tight and being short means having to borrow money to meet overhead expenses. A simple spreadsheet is the perfect tool for...

Know when to walk--and when not to.(Legal)
March 1, 2005... Just as it sounds, "breach of contract" means that someone has not done what he contractually promised to do. But a breach of contract does not automatically mean that the contract is dead--that is, unenforceable. A Material Breach To...

Adding a walkout basement: supporting the home's brick veneer while cutting through the concrete foundation required careful planning and good temporary support.(Job Log)
March 1, 2005... I work as a professional builder and remodeler in a community about 50 miles northwest of Chicago. Recently, after years spent working almost entirely on other people's homes, my wife and I decided that it was time to get a new place for...

Paper-collated clipped-head nailers: the best guns are compact, have built-in rafter hooks, and won't fire when empty.(Tool Test)(Product/Service Evaluation)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2005... As framing contractor, I use nail guns just about every day, so it's hard not to notice he way these tools have changed over the years. Today's nailers work better than the ones I've used in the past: They are smaller and lighter and have...

Installing solar electric power: a photovoltaic system should be properly sized, built to code, and installed so the roof doesn't leak.
March 1, 2005... Since its invention nearly 50 years ago, solar electric power has been a reliable but relatively expensive technology. Now, however, the cost to produce electricity from sunlight is coming down. Climbing utility rates, combined with the rebates...

On site with Form-A-Drain: this modular plastic footing form doubles as a perimeter drain.(product information of CertainTeed Pipe and Plastic)
March 1, 2005... As a GC and foundation subcontractor since 1984, I've seen countless new products designed either to improve job-site efficiency or to produce a better home--few do both. A couple of years ago, though, we found one that does: Form-A-Drain from...

Repairing fire damage: assessing the damage and making repairs is challenging enough, but you've also got to get rid of that smell.
March 1, 2005... Spotting clouds of black smoke rolling over the treetops, I drove into the neighborhood slowly, fearing the worst. There was the little house I had just built for an elderly couple, girdled by firefighters armed with hoses while the roof blazed...

Creating a company report card: pivot tables allow you to analyze your numbers any way you want. Here's how to build one.(information management of man hours)
March 1, 2005... Trying to figure out why some jobs go well and others don't can be a nightmare. Often there are so many factors involved, it's impossible to get a clear read. Even answering simple questions can be tough: Are additions or kitchens more...

Standard vent.(Water Heaters)
March 1, 2005... This top-of-the-line water heater includes automatic sediment clearing, a cross-link polymer dip tube, a factory-installed pressure-relief valve, and a glass lining that the maker says provides twice the corrosion resistance of competitive...

Hot on the spot.(Water Heaters)
March 1, 2005... Continuous hot water on demand isn't a new idea--but it's a good one, given the right application. At a temperature rise of 45[degrees]F, the Pronto! RTG-74 claims a 7.4-gallon-per-minute flow rate, enough to supply one or two single-head...

Loop system.(Water Heaters)
March 1, 2005... The D'Mand Hot Water Delivery System is a button-activated pump that kicks in to deliver hot water to an outlet in mere seconds. A point-of-use temperature sensor deactivates the pump when the hot water arrives. The system requires a return...

A tankless job.(Water Heaters)
March 1, 2005... Thoughtful clients eager to conserve natural resources may worry that a tankless heater won't be up to the task of supplying more than one major outlet at a time. Fear not: The gas-fired GWH-635-ES heater is more than capable, says the maker,...

Keep out.(Cabinet Hardware)
March 1, 2005... EasyLock hardware discreetly prevents access to cabinets containing household poisons or prescription medicines. The magnetic card-actuated device is easy to retrofit or relocate, says the maker, and costs $32.60. Hettich America,...

Metal option.(Cabinet Hardware)
March 1, 2005... Whether you're making custom cabinets, ordering them, or just replacing the faces, the AF Series Aluminum Cabinet Doors are worth a look. The five tempered-glass options in this collection come with aluminum frames, which can be ordered in...

Around the corner.(Cabinet Hardware)
March 1, 2005... Can you use "hypocycloid" in a sentence? No matter--now you can use it in your corner cabinets. The Crazy Suzy is a three-cornered shelf with a unique rotation that allows it to extend out of the cabinet. This configuration also provides more...

Wired for efficiency.(Cabinet Hardware)
March 1, 2005... Drawers are arguably more efficient than shelves for storage, and drawer organizers extend that argument to the max. The 5389 and 5390 Series of heavy-duty chrome wire pull-out cookware and dinnerware baskets ride on full-extension slides. The...

No-sweat copper fittings.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Still a little unsure of your pipe-sweating skills? This product might be worth a look. PermaLynx copper fittings push onto conventional hard-copper tubing without special tools or a torch. They have one-way, stainless-steel barbs that resist...

Painter's friend.(Products)
March 1, 2005... There are times when setting up for a small painting job takes longer than the actual painting. With a 1-Gallon Grid from Wooster, you can skip some of the preparation. The small plastic grid allows you to use a com pact roller and paint right...

Bug light.(Products)
March 1, 2005... Ductwork can be a haven for all sorts of scary things, some of which can make you pretty sick. The BreatheClean system is an ultraviolet-light air purifier that mounts in the ductwork or plenum of the central air conditioning or forced-air...

Unified style.(Door Hardware)
March 1, 2005... Need hardware for a house with indeterminate or eclectic architecture? Check out Baldwin's Tahoe line. This collection of locksets and hardware delivers a nice balance of simplicity and style and blends easily with design elements from vastly...

Keyless security.(Door Hardware)
March 1, 2005... After one or two lockouts, many folks resort to "hiding" a spare key under the door mat to prevent future inconveniences. Not surprisingly, that's exactly where anyone trying to break in looks first. Help your customers bypass the hassles and...

Water management.(Door Hardware)
March 1, 2005... With an integral weep system and unsurpassed resistance to water and dust infiltration, the Hydrosill may just be the best-designed aluminum threshold available. Most thresholds rely on a raised hump and a sweep on the door bottom to prevent...

Colorful character.(Deck And Porch Railings)
March 1, 2005... For applications that require a little more style, TimberTech's Ornamental Spindles may be just the ticket. Unlike many other composite rail systems, this one comes in four different colors: cedar, grey, redwood, and whitesand. The TimberTech...

Seeing clearly.(Deck And Porch Railings)
March 1, 2005... Conventional, tightly spaced balusters can hamper a nice view and clutter the clean lines of modern architecture. Custom-made alternatives are expensive and may require long lead times. Fortunately, there's another option: Deckorators' Glass...

Paint-free.(Deck And Porch Railings)
March 1, 2005... Skip the lengthy, laborious process of priming and painting wood railings and opt for a prefinished rail system. CertainTeed's EverNew aluminum-reinforced, vinyl-rail product is a good choice for coastal areas and harsh climates. The assemblage...

Long sleeves.(Deck And Porch Railings)
March 1, 2005... Giving ordinary pressure-treated 4x4s a facelift is easy with Quick Clad Post Sleeves from Woodway. The four-sided post covers slip over standard 3 1/2-inch posts, converting them to more substantial-looking 6-inch versions. The sleeves include...

Wire-ready railing.(Deck and Porch Railings)
March 1, 2005... Wire-Ready Railing. Increasingly, backyard decks are serving as the backdrop for sophisticated music and lighting systems. One of the biggest challenges in these installations is hiding the wire--and ChoiceDek's Decorative Railing System...

Quick-dry damp cellulose.(Insulation)
March 1, 2005... Quick-Dry Damp Cellulose. Damp-spray insulation is relatively inexpensive and offers excellent air-sealing qualities. Nevertheless, some builders have reservations about using spray-applied products because construction can't proceed until the...

Band joist batts.(Insulation)
March 1, 2005... Band Joist Batts. Insulating the band joist is one of those important jobs nobody likes to deal with, so anything that makes the process faster and easier deserves a look. SpeedyR Bandit fiberglass insulation from CertainTeed is made...

Better baffle.(Insulation)
March 1, 2005... Have you ever noticed how blown-fiberglass and cellulose insulation sometimes ends up pushed away from the eaves? Known as wind-washing, this phenomenon--the result of wind coming in through the home's soffit vents--reduces a home's thermal...

KOMA[TM] Trimboards.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... KOMA[TM] Trimboards bring new technology and enduring style to your customers' dream home. KOMA paintable PVC trimboards deliver waterproof, UV-protected, insect-proof and rot-free performance year after year- far outlasting wood. Exceptionally...

Georgia-Pacific.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... When exposed to excessive moisture, paper provides an easy food source for mold to grow. The best way available to eliminate that food source is G-P Gypsum's next generation paperless wallboard, DensArmor Plus. Unlike that suddenly outdated...

Alum-A-Pole.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... Mum-A-Pole Corporation proudly introduces a patent-pending brake with numerous features that no other manufacturer has-built-in worktables, built-in slitters on both the brake and coil-holders, and measuring guides that create super fast...

WindsorONE historical moldings collection.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... Windsor Mill, manufacturers of the highest-quality trim boards, and Brent Hull, a respected expert on historical millwork, have teamed together to offer the WindsorONE Moldings Collection, based on the original molding and trim patterns round...

FastCap.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... FastCap makes innovative, timesaving products for the serious woodworker. Stop by our booth #302 and take advantage of our great show specials. To learn more about our products, visit us at www.fastcap.com or call us at 888-443-3748 and request...

Composatron Manufacturing, Inc.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... It's hard to believe something so beautiful requires so little maintenance. The exceptional design and wood-like qualities of Premier's White Railing system only add to the beauty of this low maintenance railing system. What's more, Premier...

Bilco.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... Bilco's new Ultra Series Basement Door features high-density polyethylene construction that never needs painting and is impervious to the elements. Its simulated wood texture and driftwood color will complement the exterior of any home and the...

Cosella-Dorken.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... DELTA[R]-MS membrane system isolates the backfill from the foundation. Out air gap membrane ensures no water reaches the wall. That's how we guarantee a leak-free basement. Cosella-Dorken is dedicated to providing home builders with...

Fasco America.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... Empire, now a part of Fasco America, Inc., has been providing quality Rainco brand Italian-made fine wire staplers to the insulation, upholstery, cabinetry and furniture supply industries for well over 30 years. Residential and commercial...

AZEK.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... AZEK[R] Trimboards, the leader in cellular pvc trim, features new AZEK Millwork in the three most asked for profiles: AZEK Brick Mould, AZEK Crown Mould and AZEK Drip Cap. AZEK Millwork offers crisp edges and authentic detail and can even be...

Maibec.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... A leader in quality and innovation for over 40 years, Maibec now offers The Cedar Strip.[TM] It's the fastest solution to installing shingles-reducing installation time up to 60 percent. Preassembled for easy installation, keyway spaces...

Benjamin Obdyke.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... Benjamin Obdyke Inc.'s Home Slicker[R] is a moisture diminating rainscreen that provides a continuous, vertically channeled air circulation and water drainage plane between the structural envelope and the cladding. The Nylon matrix rolls out on...

Royal Building Products.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... Royal Building Products' revolutionarv ribbed foam backing and exclusive PVC formulation give DuraPlank the look and feel of wood, the impact resistance of fiber cement and the installation case and maintenance-free qualities of vinyl siding....

Quik Drive.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... Quik Drive's new Complete Contractor System utilizes two job-specific tools to deliver the application-focused performance our PRO systems are known for, plus extreme versatility. Drive collated screws from the widest selection available....

Calculated Industries.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... For building professionals--Contractors, Engineers, Architects, Tradespersons, Designers and Draftspersons--the Construction Master Pro Desktop Model sets the industry standard as the most powerful and advanced construction-math calculator ever...

Madawaska doors.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... The genius of nature inspired this incomparable "RUSTIC SERIES" that features knots, cracks, and the color and grain variations of many wood species. This distinctive idea allows your door to have its own personality! The RUSTIC SERIES is...

RotoZip by Bosch.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The RZ25 Drywall Router boasts a 5.5 amp motor and 30,000 RPM, the most powerful and fastest on the market today. Its soft-grip body not only reduces vibration for a more comfortable experience, but also, in...

Superseal.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Superseal Series 900/950 Vinyl Swing Doors combine traditional elegance, durable technology and an impressive DP-50 rating for replacement (900) and new construction (950) projects. Both models provide unsurpassed...

FastenMaster[R].(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... No more mushrooms! The FastenMaster[R] TrapEase[TM] composite wood deck screw is specially designed to eliminate the "mushrooming" effect caused by standard deck screws in composite deck materials without predrilling. TrapEase comes in multiple...

Louisiana-Pacific.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... From extravagant to simple, LP[R] WeatherBest[R] decking and railing is the right choice for a deck that is as beautiful as real wood, but with a lot less maintenance. WeatherBest cuts, drills and installs like wood, can go around radius curves...

Nemetschek.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... VectorWorks ARCHITECT is a cost-effective, all-in-one, easy-to-use program for residential design firms. A hybrid 2D drafting/3D modeling design environment automatically creates 3D models from 2D floor plans. Sophisticated database and...

Silver Line Windows.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... Beneath this window's traditional appearance, state-of-the-art window technology is hard at work providing durable, energy efficient performance in a maintenance-free vinyl new construction window. Unique features include: * Continuous...

Maze nails.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... All Maze STORMGUARD[R] Double Hot-Dipped galvanized nails meet and exceed the ASTM A153 specification and the exclusive STORMGUARD[R] process ensures the thickest, most uniform coating of galvanizing available. Maze has over 89 years of hot-dip...

Trus Joist--a Weyerhaeuser Business.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... Framers and builders don't have the time to be frustrated with culling twisted solid sawn lumber for structural framing. The solution to this problem is a high-quality engineered product called TimberStrand[R] laminated strand lumber (LSL) from...

Trex[R].(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... Trex[R] composite decking and railing provides you with endless design possibilities. Get ready to create your space. For more information about our newest line of decking and railing products and a free copy of Trex DeckScapes[TM] magazine,...

Alsco.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... The CONTOURS Collection[TM] exterior trim provides the builder, contractor and remodeler a product that will differentiate him from the competition. The Contours Collection captures the elegance of custom wood millwork while incorporating the...

Ford.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... At over 29 lbs. apiece, the massive, radius arms on the Ford F-450/F-550 Super Duty will tackle even the roughest terrains. Over 39" long, 11" tall and 3.5" thick, they assist in providing better control, while at the same time helping to...

Qual-Craft.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... The Qual-Craft ShingleShark is the last word in speed, accuracy, versatility and safety in cutting asphalt and fiberglass roofing materials. The ShingleShark shingle cutter makes utility knives and sheet metal shears obsolete. It cuts any...

GRK Fasteners.(Special Advertising Section)
March 1, 2005... GRK Fasteners specializes in high-quality fasteners for contractors and serious handymen. GRK's line of patented fasteners includes screws which wil1 eliminate shimming, replace lag screws, and eliminate headaches when building a deck. GRK's...