The Journal of Light Construction articles from November 2003

The Journal of Light Construction archives from November 2003

Safety lessons and table saws.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... To the Editor: I have been a fire medic for 27 years and work part-time building custom homes, so I often view articles on safety with a dark sense of humor. I read the article in JLC ("Safety Lessons," 8/03) and plan to pass on the story...

Fire protection for foam.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... To the Editor: Your article on spray-foam insulation (8/03) did not speak to code requirements dealing with encapsulation of foam by sheetrock or other approved materials, even in attics and crawlspaces. All foam insulation is not created...

Deck ledger accounting.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... To the Editor: I enjoy reading articles like "Attaching Deck Ledgers" (8/03) and am very interested in the engineering behind building. I also want to commend your magazine for publishing meaningful articles, both on technical and business...

Floating deck better.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... To the Editor: I agree that attaching ledger boards ("Attaching Deck Ledgers," 8/03) directly to the rim joist by whatever means--nails, lags, or through-bolts--creates a recipe for disaster. If you attach a ledger to a rim joist, you will...

Lumber price shock hits builders: OSB prices triple after producer cutbacks.(In The News)
November 1, 2003... Framing lumber prices doubled between late spring and early fall, while OSB prices more than tripled. The record-setting price spike put serious stress on builder profit margins but hit some specialty producers even harder: I-joist and SIP...

Consumer Reports rates vinyl siding, shingles, and paint.(In The News)
November 1, 2003... Next time you install shingles, siding, paint, or deck stain for a customer, don't be surprised if she brings up Consumer Reports. Long trusted as an authority on appliances, vehicles, and other consumer goods, the nonprofit magazine has added...

The West Virginia state agency with the worst record for workers' comp claim expenses is the Workers Compensation Division.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The West Virginia state agency with the worst record for workers' comp claim expenses is the Workers Compensation Division, reports the Wheeling News-Register. A state official said most of the claims are based on carpal tunnel injuries. The...

Forty thousand women showed up at Home Depot for ladies-only classes on remodeling and fix-it techniques last summer.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Forty thousand women showed up at Home Depot for ladies-only classes on remodeling and fix-it techniques last summer, reports the Hartford Courant, pointing up the growing importance of women in the remodeling market. Women make up about half...

Flood damage to a Rockbridge County, Va., home in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel upset the owner.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Flood damage to a Rockbridge County, Va., home in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel upset the owner so much that he burned the building down, the Washington Times reported. Homeowner Donnie Clark said he poured diesel fuel into the...

A million dollar shop project.(In The News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... If you took shop in high school, you may have had projects like a bird feeder, a wall plaque, maybe even a coffee table. That's nice, but kids these days are ambitious. Take a look at this project. Seventy high school students from Fairfax...

Window leaks rampant, Canadian study reports.(In The News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... An intensive study of window performance carried out by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the British Columbia provincial Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) reported last winter that most if not all windows are prone to...

Recordkeeping reality.(Business Tune-Up)
November 1, 2003... If you're shifting from an on-site to an office role, you may want to take a fresh look at your approach to accuracy. Whether it's carpentry or bookkeeping, the appropriate level of precision can vary from one situation to the next. You don't...

Earthquakes and hurricanes to order.(In The News)(Tyrell Gilb Research Laboratory)
November 1, 2003... The next time Stockton, Calif., is battered by an earthquake or hurricane-force winds, the newly opened Tyrell Gilb Research Laboratory would seem to be the ideal place to take shelter. Its heavily reinforced, 3-foot-thick concrete foundation...

Stucco over concrete.(Q&A)(Building Material.)(Brief Article)(Interview)
November 1, 2003... Q. I'd like to finish the above-grade portion of a poured-concrete foundation with a color coat of stucco. The broken-off snap-ties are visible and are slightly rusty. Do I need to treat these with anything before I apply the stucco to prevent...

Energy payback from instantaneous water heaters.(Q&A)(Interview)
November 1, 2003... Q. Do the energy savings provided by instantaneous gas water heaters justify their higher cost? A. Martin Holladay responds: Before you consider installing an instantaneous gas water heater for energy efficiency, consider whether your...

Detecting live romex.(Q&A)(Brief Article)(Interview)
November 1, 2003... Q. I'm a remodeler and often work around existing wiring. What's the most practical and inexpensive tool for detecting live current in either romex or wire in a metal conduit? Can you detect current inside the conduit without opening the...

Venting bath fan into soffit not a good idea.(Q&A)(Brief Article)(Interview)
November 1, 2003... Q. It has become common practice in new construction around Nashville to vent bathroom fans into a nearby soffit. One problem is that the vent often gets covered with vinyl or metal soffit because the siding crew doesn't want to cut a hole in...

Front porches that work.(Design)
November 1, 2003... I'm tapping out these words on my laptop while sitting on my front porch and watching the world go by. I love our front porch; time spent hanging out here is a mini-vacation from the stresses and worries of life--not to mention a welcome break...

When you're asked to estimate from incomplete drawings.(Business)
November 1, 2003... Let's say you get a call from an architect you work with regularly, telling you he's sending plans and specs for an extensive kitchen remodel. When you review the plans you realize that there's enough missing information to prevent you from...

The benefits of building your business on Nailite: three contractors share their experiences with Nailite siding.
November 1, 2003... 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. ...

Do you want to be the second contractor on a job?(Legal)
November 1, 2003... Most of my clients are general contractors who do remodeling and renovation. In several recent instances, clients have been asked by homeowners to continue or complete jobs that were started by other contractors. The original contractor had...

Framing with light-gauge steel: steel is perfectly straight, comes in accurately precut lengths, and thanks to recent code changes, is easier to use than ever.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2003... My company builds high-end custom homes in Southern California. We used [to frame everything with wood, but [about eight years ago we started using light-gauge steel (LGS) because it gave us a higher-quality building. LGS won't rot, burn, or...

Running a production trim business: with specialized carpenters, you don't have to sacrifice quality to get the job done quickly.
November 1, 2003... Not too many years ago, a carpenter would have been proficient in framing, siding, interior trim, and even cabinet and furniture making. Although there may be some tradespeople who still wear the many hats of a true journeyman carpenter, the...

Doing vinyl right: great-looking trim is the key to a quality siding job.
November 1, 2003... I'm a contractor in southern New England. My business, the Storm Tite Company, installs replacement doors and windows, porch enclosures, and gutters, but our specialty is vinyl siding. There are a lot of older houses in our area, many of which...

Installing an ornamental tile floor: for a crack-free tile floor, size the joists to limit deflection, use the right subfloor and underlayment, and don't forget the expansion joints.
November 1, 2003... Most of my residential tile work centers on the kitchen or bathroom, but some homeowners also like the look and feel of tile in other parts of the house. One of the most extensive jobs we've done lately involved tiling every floor but the...

Replacing factory-built fireplaces: it's often better to remove old units from the outside.
November 1, 2003... I'm a chimney mason and sweep in coastal North Carolina, where I do restoration work on fireplaces and chimneys in historic structures. At the other end of the spectrum, I tear out a lot of old prefab wood-burning fireplaces every year and...

Spies, lies, and staying safe online.(Computers)
November 1, 2003... If you've ever wondered why you're bombarded with pop-up ads every time you go online, no matter what website you visit; or why you're suddenly getting dozens of unsolicited e-mails about things you wouldn't want your kids to even know about,...

Compact comfort.(Towel Warmers)
November 1, 2003... Panel radiators pack all the Btu punch of baseboard heat into a more compact package, making them a natural for the bathroom, where both space and a desire for warmth are at a premium. The flat-tube Omnipanel is designed to double as a towel...

Get 'em while they're hot.(Towel Warmers)
November 1, 2003... There's more to towel warming than mere comfort; there's also more to comfort than warm towels. Dry towels don't support smelly mold or bacterial growth and can therefore reduce laundering. With eight heat settings and seven-day programming,...

Cozy Canadian.(Towel Warmers)
November 1, 2003... An apparent multi-tasker, the Bolero provides 1,250-watt forced hot air, 750-watt radiant heat, a 2,000-watt combination of both, or room-temperature circulation to help promote drying. Adjustable towel bars and robe pegs round out its...

Towels only.(Towel Warmers)
November 1, 2003... Unlike closed ladder-type configurations, the Hinge-It system's serpentine tubing allows a towel to be easily removed and replaced at any level on the rack. The all-electric line operates at 150[degrees]F to 170[degrees]F, intended to make only...

Remodel the range.(Range Hoods)
November 1, 2003... Here's a quick kitchen upgrade: Pull out the old hood and the cabinet it hangs from, repair the wall, and install a new Rangemaster RM50000. At 270 cfm, this hood provides a good rate of evacuation above a 30-inch cooktop, following one...

Blow your own way.(Range Hoods)
November 1, 2003... If you're not bothered by virtually unlimited options, Rangecraft has the vent hood you're looking for. Specializing in copper, brass, and stainless steel, or any combination thereof, the company offers an extensive design line as well as full...

Low-profile power.(Range Hoods)
November 1, 2003... Many islands are home to a cooktop, but, without a capturing wall, cooking heat and vapors tend to wander. The solution is a wide canopy and a more powerful motor. The 48x29-inch Axia Isola spreads more than 9 square feet of aerodynamic-looking...

Under and out.(Range Hoods)
November 1, 2003... In kitchens as well as automobiles, it's what's under the hood that really matters. The Tamburo range hood combines undercabinet utility and style, housing a variable speed, 400-cfm, 5-sone blower and two halogen lamps beneath a stylish curved...

Better box.(Products)
November 1, 2003... It's tough to get excited about electrical work boxes, but the new design from Smart Box is actually pretty cool. Instead of nails, the sturdy plastic boxes are mounted with a couple of angled drywall screws that fasten from inside the box. The...

Slim fan for tight spaces.(Products)
November 1, 2003... It's no accident that Panasonic has become the industry standard for upgraded ventilation fans. The well-made products are extremely quiet, and they're rated for continuous operation, so they can be used as part of a whole-house ventilation...

Window wrapping.(Products)
November 1, 2003... Wrapping window and door openings with self-adhering membrane is increasingly popular and always a good building practice. But the one-piece release papers on most membranes make it tougher to integrate the product into a drainage plane and...

Tarp tiedown.(Products)
November 1, 2003... Pick any construction site, and you're about as likely to see a blue tarp as a circular saw. Almost as common are tarps with their grommets torn out or missing altogether. If your tarp is missing grommets but still has some useful life, you can...

Have a ball.(Decks And Railings)
November 1, 2003... If your customers want a little more elegance from their outdoor spaces, you could suggest upgrading their balusters from treated 2x2s to round aluminum. Round balusters have a touch more class and require no painting or maintenance. The only...

Top coat.(Decks And Railings)
November 1, 2003... More and more decks are being built with premium hardwoods and composite materials, and stainless-steel fasteners are a perfect match for those long-lasting materials. But hundreds or even thousands of shiny screw heads can be a real...

Stone zone.(Decks And Railings)
November 1, 2003... Even exotic hardwood decking is old news now, so if your customer wants something completely beyond the ordinary, you could try Stone Deck. The 16x16-inch stone tiles can replace ordinary wood or composite decking and provide your customer with...

EZ Iron.(Products)
November 1, 2003... Wrought-iron railings and balusters give a touch of class to outdoor living spaces, and customers love the historic look. But if your metalworking skills are a little rusty, you might look to Fortress Iron. The company offers a complete line of...

Post topper.(Decks And Railings)
November 1, 2003... Topping off a pressure-treated or cedar deck post couldn't be easier. Postcaps from Maine Ornamental, available in pressure-treated, cedar, mahogany, and redwood, slip over a 4-inch or 6-inch post, adding a nice finishing touch and hiding...

Cable way.(Decks And Railings)
November 1, 2003... If obscuring a beautiful sunset or mountain vista with a busy railing or balustrade is out of the question, you could suggest a good-looking and sturdy CableRail Assembly from Feeney. The 1/8-inch wire assemblies have turnbuckle-style...

High security.(Door Hardware)
November 1, 2003... Even the highest-quality deadbolt and lockset provide little protection from a flat bar. And the intruder can enter the home without making a lot of noise. While no lock system will stop a criminal who's really intent on breaking in, you can...

Bronzed beauty.(Door Hardware)
November 1, 2003... If your customer is looking for door hardware that's truly unique, you could suggest one of the offerings from Rocky Mountain Hardware. Their beautiful bronze castings are all individually distressed, making each one a little different. The...

Wide view.(Door Hardware)
November 1, 2003... Capturing a scenic vista with a 6- or even an 8-foot patio door is tough, but special hardware on Weather Shields' Telescopic Sliding Glass Door means you can frame a scenic view with patio doors as wide as 19 feet. The stacking design allows...

Denim draft stopper.(Insulation And Air Sealing)
November 1, 2003... What's worse than installing fiberglass building insulation? Not much. Instead of itchy and irritating insulating products, how about one that's about as comfortable as an old pair of jeans? Ultra Touch Cotton Fiber Insulation is made largely...

Soy-based foam.(Insulation And Air Sealing)
November 1, 2003... Spray-in-place foam is among the best-performing insulation products; builders applaud its air-sealing and moisture-management properties. But most spray foams have a petroleum base that's a thorn in the side of many environmentally conscious...

Backer.(Insulation And Air Sealing)
November 1, 2003... Take a good look at just about any tube of caulking, and the directions will tell you to install foam backer rod before filling gaps greater than 1/2 inch. That's all well and good, but have you ever tried to actually buy backer rod? Unless you...

A foam for all seasons.(Insulation And Air Sealing)
November 1, 2003... Promising a wider temperature range for installation and better performance than typical foam sealants, Dow's Great Stuff Pro is the newest addition to the company's line of urethane sealants. The Pro line includes expanding, minimal-expanding...

Fast-acting high-performance glue.(On The Job)
November 1, 2003... FastCap (888/443-3748, www.fast cap.com) recently introduced a new CA (cyanoacrylate) glue, 2P-10, that's fast setting and virtually unbreakable. As a test, I mitered and glued several 4-inch pieces of baseboard together, and no one's been able...

Knowledge building. Skill building. Profit building. It's all about building.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... JLC LIVE Residential Construction Show continues this year's schedule in Portland, Oregon, December 4-6, 2003. JLC Live takes the highly regarded editorial content of the nationally recognized Journal of Light Construction magazine on the...

Dodge.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... If vehicles are part of your business, it's clear that a partnership with Dodge and our BusinessLink[R] dealers should be too. Only Dodge offers the specialized small-business service of BusinessLink[R], the cash incentives and upfit packages...

Louisiana-Pacific.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... The new Top Notch Orange Plus[TM] offers more moisture resistance than standard Top Notch, yet costs less than Top Notch's High Performance. All three feature an advanced edge coating that minimizes water absorption and LPs patented...

Drill Doctor.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... The 500 Tradesman is the original Drill Doctor workhorse, and is designed for commercial use. With the 500 Tradesman, you can sharpen your drill bits at either the standard 118[degrees] or the high-performance 135[degrees] setting. And it can...

Simpson Strong-tie.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... One part for two applications. Simpson's new tie connects plate-to-stud or top-plate-to-stud. The double stud plate design can be installed on either or both sides of the wall, while the single stud plate tie requires fewer fasteners than other...

Stanley[R].(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... Stanley introduces the Stanley[R] FatMax[R] Saw with Blade Armor[TM] Coating, a composite coating that provides six times more abrasion protection and results in 50% less friction when compared to Stanley[R] lacquered saws. The coating also...

WindsorONE: historical moldings collection.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... 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 found...

Stanley-Bostitch[R].(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... Stanley Fastening Systems introduces the new Bostitch[R] RN46 Roofing Nailer, the latest addition to its family of ultra-lightweight, feature-packed pneumatic tools. The magnesium-framed RN46 weighs in at just 4.9 pounds yet delivers 410...

Royal Crown.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... Brock Deck[TM], the Original Vinyl Deck System. Does your wood deck look tired? Considering an alternative material? Brock Deck[TM] is the #1 choice in vinyl decking. And has been since 1989 when we invented the first vinyl deck. You can depend...

VectorWorks ARCHITECT.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... Introducing VectorWorks ARCHITECT 10--the easiest, most cost-effective way to design. It has everything you need to make your designs come to life. If precision 2D drafting, flexible 3D modeling, and powerful client presentations are what you...

Sashco.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... Try Through the Roof once and you'll make it an "always on the truck" staple. Why? Because Through the Roof is the CLEAR, flexible, permanent sealant that's so easy to use on roofs and around rooftop fixtures. Whether you're joining new roof to...

GreenGuard[R] by Pactiv.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... GreenGuard[R] building products are advanced products for new residential construction, remodeling, and commercial applications. GreenGuard products include extruded polystyrene insulation and underlayments for sheathing, residing, roofing,...

Makita.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... Makita's new 14.4v cordless impact model 6932FDWDE boasts high torque (1,110 in.lbs) in a compact and lightweight design (3.7 lbs.) This revolutionary new impact comes equipped with a high-output L.E.D. light, guaranteeing accurate work in low...

Azek.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)
November 1, 2003... AZEK[R] Trimboards announces the new AZEK Frontier Series, with a rustic frontier texture that adds visual interest to any exterior trim project. AZEK Frontier offers the versatility of a textured side and the traditional smooth side. A...

JLCD-ROM: the builder's encyclopedia: 17 years of JLC on CD-ROM 1986-2002.(JLC Live Residential Construction Show)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... JLC is the industry's most trusted resource for construction professionals, and JLCD-ROM gives you instant access to every article published in JLC over the past 17 years. Search by topic, product, issue or author. Perfect for jobsite...

Deck driver.(Toolbox)
November 1, 2003... Our company always uses screws with decking. Although pneumatic nailers are faster, we find that the pressure-treated lumber cups and warps less with screws, and customers appreciate our extra effort. But running in hundreds of screws is slow,...

Metal-cutting circular saw.(Toolbox)
November 1, 2003... For most carpenters, cutting metal means using a fine-toothed blade in a recip saw or an abrasive blade in a circular saw. Both methods work, but recip saws are slow, and the teeth distort light-gauge metal. Circular saws are fast, but abrasive...

Cutting openings with a router.(Tool Techniques)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... It doesn't take long to sheath walls on the deck, but cutting out door and window openings can really slow you down. Our crew tried a number of methods for cutting out sheathing before we came up with one we liked. We tried using a...

Cutting and marking made easier.(Siding Tools)
November 1, 2003... Skip the chalk lines and combo squares, now you can cut window and door openings, as well as final courses of siding, with a time-saving specialty tool from Malco. The Sider's 1/8-inch graduated slots receive a utility knife and make quick...

Siding saw.(Siding Tools)
November 1, 2003... Installing ten squares of cedar shingle siding on my new addition has made me appreciate my Bosch model 1660 24-Volt Cordless Circular Saw more than ever. The 6 1/2-inch saw has really proved its merit cutting shingles for gables and dormers....

Take a brake.(Siding Tools)
November 1, 2003... Setting up and carrying a bulky metal brake can be the hardest part of bending and installing trim metals and flashing, especially when you're working by yourself. The Quick-Start Brake Rack mounts your Tapco or Van Mark metal brake to your...

Better Snips.(Siding Tools)
November 1, 2003... I don't know about you, but I think typical aviation snips should last longer than they do. Keepers bend and break, springs lose their spring--and few things are more annoying than being perched high up on pump jacks with a set of shears that...

Supreme socks.(Cold Weather Gear)
November 1, 2003... When builders and remodelers talk about cold feet, they're often referring to customers who change their mind about a project after getting a bid for the work. But if your cold feet come from socks that aren't doing the job, you might consider...

Manly earmuffs.(Cold Weather Gear)
November 1, 2003... Earmuffs might not be the manliest of work wear, but whining about your ears hurting won't do much for your image, either. If you have enough faith in your masculinity, you might try a set of Earwarmers from Gorgonz. The adjustable muffs are...

Breathing room.(Cold Weather Gear)
November 1, 2003... On a cold day, good gloves can make the difference between getting things done and going home early. Gorgonz makes a complete line of gloves for people who have to wear gloves to do their jobs. The gloves have special features for improved...

High-tech long Johns.(Cold Weather Gear)
November 1, 2003... Even in temperatures well below zero, you can be quite comfortable with Duofold's Varitherm Base Layer long underwear. The product is available in four weights--expedition, heavy, medium, and light--to match any temperature and outdoor...

Pipeline to the past.(Backfill)(The American Sanitary Plumbing Museum)
November 1, 2003... The American Sanitary Plumbing Museum in Worcester, Mass., will never be listed among the world's great museums, but to people who are interested in pipes and fixtures, there's no place like it. The collection got its start when Charles Manoog,...