The Journal of Light Construction articles from September 2004

The Journal of Light Construction archives from September 2004

Don't paint stucco.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... To the Editor: I thought "Replacing Windows in Stucco Walls" (6/04) was an excellent article; Mr. Thorvund was right on in addressing the chief problems. I have a comment about painting stucco, which is mentioned near the end of the...

Correcting the record on copper flashing.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... To the Editor: I am writing to set the record straight regarding the YorkShield 106 HP flashing, which was highlighted in your July issue. It came as a great disappointment to read that our product is "expensive and reacts badly with...

Hardworking & honest.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... To the Editor: Today I read Mr. Fairfield's letter ("In Protest," Letters, 7/04) bemoaning "slavelike" immigrant labor, and then an article in the San Francisco Chronicle describing how Hispanic labor has a much better work ethic...

Cross-vault ceiling formula.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... To the Editor: The formula in the article "Framing a Cross-Vault Ceiling" (6/04) is useful for laying out arches that are segments of circles; however, it will not define the intersecting diagonals of a cross-vault, which are ellipses. The...

Put in our place.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... To the Editor: Did I really see the word "pouring" in reference to concrete on the cover? This is a faux pas of incredible magnitude. One of the very first things I learned 25 years ago is that concrete is "placed," never "poured." Please...

Can't find cover.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... To the Editor: How many of your readers noticed that "stucco" was misspelled on the front cover of the June issue, with three c's? I really enjoy the magazine. I start with the letters, especially the ones that reference past articles,...

Design-build laws.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... To the Editor: We recently received a notice for the JLC Live show, which referred to seminars on the design-build concept, including putting architects on your payroll. While there can be many benefits to design-build, please remember...

Poet's corner.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... To the Editor: In response to the version of "My Favorite Things" that was in the magazine a few months ago, my head mason, Rick McGann, penned his masonry and landscaping version. Paul Eldrenkamp Byggmeister Newton, Mass....

Tile is not the problem.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... To The Editor: The tile shower floor and drain problems described in this month's Q&A (7/04) have spawned a whole new demand for shower receptors, to which many innovative manufacturers are now responding effectively. The efflorescence...

Deck collapse injures scores: ledger splits from faulty lag screw installation.(In The News)
September 1, 2004... Summer seldom passes without at least one report of a serious structural failure of an outdoor deck, with large numbers of casualties. Unfortunately, the summer of 2004 is no exception: On July 30, a wood deck collapsed suddenly under the...

Soil tests required in upstate New York community.(In The News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Building officials in Amherst, N.Y., where soil and foundation problems have attracted widespread press attention (see "Foundation Flaws Spark Buffalo Brouhaha," In the News, 8/03), are now requiring a soil test for every new house project...

Trench work poses on-going hazard.(In The News)
September 1, 2004... Working in a trench is one of the most dangerous jobs on a construction site. Federal statistics show 542 worker deaths associated with excavation or trenching between 1992 and 2001 (the Feds say the true number is higher). Construction...

Light heavyweight: new concrete lets in the sun.(In The News)
September 1, 2004... For a material that dates back to Roman times, concrete is surprisingly able to throw the world a few new twists. In the new "Liquid Stone" exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., architects and inventors are putting...

Builders and county officials in greater Cincinnati, Ohio, are battling over proposals to limit the expansion of housing developments around the city.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Builders and county officials in greater Cincinnati, Ohio, are battling over proposals to limit the expansion of housing developments around the city, according to the Cincinnati Post. Warren County Commissioner Mike Kilburn is proposing to put...

The Colorado Supreme Court says developer W.O. Brisben must pay the court costs.(Off Cuts)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The Colorado Supreme Court says developer W.O. Brisben must pay the court costs of Air Force Captain Eric Krystkowiak after losing a lawsuit for damages based on the captain's outspoken opposition to a Brisben project, according to a story in...

FEMA will pay to move threatened condos.(In The News)(Federal Emergency Management Agency)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... In a rare decision, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has agreed to help the owners of a North Carolina beachfront condominium project cover the cost of moving the building back from its eroding beach frontage. In July, FEMA...

Painting brown-coat stucco causing problems in the Southwest.(In The News)
September 1, 2004... As if the stucco industry needed another black eye in the wake of the much-publicized latent defect issues surrounding EIFS a few years ago, suppliers and contractors in some Southwest markets are witnessing a public backlash against the...

Bamboo floor not as hard as claimed?(Q&A)
September 1, 2004... Q. Everything I've read about bamboo flooring repeats the "fact" that its hardness exceeds that of oak or maple. I installed 1,200 square feet on a remodel recently and found that it dents quite easily. In fact, I just replaced several pieces...

Housewrap & building code.(Q&A)
September 1, 2004... Q. I have read conflicting reports about the use of housewrap. Does the building code actually require the use of housewrap under siding? A. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of individual code interpretations in this country. A...

Radon resources.(Q&A)
September 1, 2004... Q. Where can I obtain information about radon gas, its effects, and what products will prevent emissions from coming up through slab foundations? A. The best place to start is the Environmental Protection Agency's Radon Mitigation...

Ice dams in valleys.(Q&A)
September 1, 2004... Q. I need to fix a problem with ice dams in a new house. The ice dams form in two valleys over a cathedral ceiling and are causing leaks. The roof is standing-seam metal, and there is not enough venting in the valley area. Is there a solution...

Dormers by design.(Design)
September 1, 2004... Some of the most appealing interior spaces are those created under a roof that has been sensitively fitted with dormers. Nestled at treetop level, these spaces are formed by the sloped, sheltering surfaces of the primary roof and the walls of...

Continuous shed dormer.(Design)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The shed dormer is a versatile option. When elongated, as shown at right, it's a good choice for continuous headroom and maximum daylight. Though sizeable, this dormer is comfortably nested within the main roof thanks to the entry extension,...

An unfortunate dormer.(Design)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Here, interior space has been maximized at the expense of exterior massing and charm. Because the shed dormer isn't subordinate to the main roof, it creates a towering, awkward three-story building. The sides of the dormer as well as its face...

A varied dormer.(Design)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Here, three different dormer types--hip dormers, a shed dormer, and a partially nested hip dormer--are all expertly balanced on the gambrel-roofed house. Dividing what could have been a continuous shed dormer into separate distinct entities...

Mansard with partially cut-in doghouse dormers.(Design)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... This mansard-roofed house is punctuated with discreet non-continuous gable dormers. Due to the fairly steep slope of the lower portion of the mansard, these dormers are less about gaining headroom and more about introducing daylight with style....

Fully cut-in dormers.(Design)
September 1, 2004... If the dormers above had been fully cut in, as here, they would have still admitted daylight, though less than in the example above due to shadows from the cheek walls. The fully cut-in dormers appear oddly contemporary for such a classic...

Built-out doghouse dormers.(Design)
September 1, 2004... Small, fully nested gable dormers on either side of a central, larger gable element provide a fair amount of headroom and daylight to this attic. The dormers are located in logical relationship to the windows and volumes below, contributing to...

Eyebrow dormer.(Design)(eyebrow dormer )
September 1, 2004... The eyebrow dormer is a classic shingle-style feature. As in this example, it is traditionally a small curved-topped element folded into the roof much the way our eyes are folded into eyelids and brows. It provides a peekaboo of light and...

Gable dormer, no cheeks.(Design)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... This gable dormer, which has no sidewalls, is a great counterpoint to the gable roof on the ell of the main volume. Had this been a doghouse dormer instead, it might have looked slightly isolated within the length of the roof. It would have...

Barrel-shaped dormer.(Design)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... These elegant barrel-shaped dormers provide dynamic sculptural relief to the otherwise severe blocklike massing of this building. They may well playa more important role on the exterior elevations of this building than as functional devices to...

Using outlook for scheduling.(Business)
September 1, 2004... My own experience with computers tells me that I'm not likely to start using a new piece of software in my business unless it's very similar to the process that I'm trying to improve. For example, we used to keep all business transactions in a...

Protect yourself against plywood price hikes.(Business)
September 1, 2004... Who knows when we'll see an end to the sudden jumps in structural panel prices? What was thought to be a temporary spike last fall has turned into a seemingly permanent hike with short-term surges thrown in on top. Because there's no end in...

Taking credit cards.(Business)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... After getting numerous requests from customers, we decided to look into taking credit cards. My husband and I use frequent-flyer miles to get free airline tickets, so we could understand why our clients would want to pay for building and...

When you have to terminate a contract.(Legal)
September 1, 2004... A short time ago I got a call from a builder with whom I've worked for many years. He usually seeks legal advice before jumping into something new, but this time he was a bit slow to check in. The builder had terminated a homeowner's renovation...

Plain-language shear wall guide.(Resources)(Book Review)
September 1, 2004... As a framer, I have found it difficult to keep up with all the changes that happen in the building code. One of the more confusing areas of the code has to do with the proper construction of shear walls. I can't tell you how many fellow...

Gang-cutting rafters: specialized tools and production techniques make for much faster roof cutting.
September 1, 2004... In the '60s and '70s, California tract builders were all gang-cutting their rafters. Since then, trusses have taken over in that market, and production cutting has become a dying art. Yet in many areas, carpenters continue to stick-frame roofs,...

Heavy lifting: a housemover's journal: "move it or lose it" is a call to action when an antique home oulives its prime location.
September 1, 2004... Even though I move buildings for a living, not every old house is worth saving. Once you factor in the expense of preparing a building for lifting or moving, and the cost of the actual lift itself, it may well make more sense to demolish and...

Laying an electric-radiant tile floor: this electric-resistance mat can warm a tile floor without greatly raising the floor height.
September 1, 2004... Radiant heat under ceramic and stone tiles has been in use for thousands of years. Architectural remains in Europe and the U.K. show how this was done: Roman builders constructed below-grade fire pits and extensive flue systems that carried...

Portable thickness planers: the best portable machines cut smoothly, are easy to transport, and produce little or no snipe.(Tool Test)(Cover Story)
September 1, 2004... When I started doing finish carpentry, there was no good way to get lumber that was a nonstandard thickness. If I needed something out of the ordinary, I had to haul wood to a nearby cabinet shop or go to a full-service lumberyard and wait for...

Lead-safe remodeling: dust-containment and meticulous cleanup are the keys to protecting workers, clients, and especially young children.
September 1, 2004... As a restoration carpenter, old house owner, and parent, I've been concerned about lead paint for years. Intact lead paint generally poses no threat, either to workers or to the occupants of a home; but lead dust that's unleashed during...

Don't get hosed.(Products)
September 1, 2004... I always bought rubber air hoses because of their durability, but they're heavy and seem to get hung up on everything. I've also tried lighter PVC hoses, which work pretty well, but cold weather makes them about as flexible as a Lally column....

Glass with class.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Solid wood doors can be too dark for some spaces, but clear glass can be a little too revealing. For a happy medium, you might try the Sculpted Glass from JELD-WEN. Using what the manufacturer calls UltraGlas, this line of interior doors can...

High fiber.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Fiber-cement siding has some unique advantages and continues to grow in popularity, but paint and coating manufacturers have lagged behind in developing new products specifically for fiber cement. Cabot's new C3 Formula is an exception....

Rail runner.(Products)
September 1, 2004... A lot of carpenters make their own doors for custom cabinets and built-ins, but cutting the end-grain profile on small rails can be a challenging and even dangerous proposition. The task is easier with the Pro Model Coping Sled from Eagle...

Central shampooer.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Central vacs continue to grow in popularity, but they don't usually help much with spilled juice or cleaning up after a legion of muddy boots. The Aqua-Air central vac is an exception. It seems like the perfect vacuum for customers who put an...

Leaf it alone.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Cleaning out the gutters every year is one of those jobs that everyone bates. If you can give your customer dispensation from the annual drudgery, you could be a hero. Leaf Relief is an aluminum gutter cover that's made for both new gutters and...

Quick draw.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Keeping all your tools close at hand is a major part of working efficiently. Everyday hand tools are easy, but nailers and cordless drills don't fit very well in your carpenter's apron. If you're trying to get a handle on your nailers, the...

Hang in there.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Commonly used for suspending commercial and industrial plumbing, sprinkler, and hvac systems, Vertiso Wood and Metal Anchors are useful for residential construction and remodeling tasks, too. The versatile anchors are perfect for drop ceilings...

Natural-looking block.(Landscaping Products)
September 1, 2004... While modular concrete block has made building retaining walls and other landscape features much easier, some homeowners complain about their unnatural uniformity. If you or your customer wants a look that more closely resembles natural stone,...

Get your fiber.(Landscaping Products)
September 1, 2004... Fiber-composite materials have become one of the preferred products for homeowners seeking a maintenance-free exterior, so it's not surprising that manufacturers have started using fiber composites for fencing and other landscape applications....

Rain gear.(Landscaping Products)
September 1, 2004... Effectively dealing with site drainage and roof water is one the most important aspects of a good landscaping plan. ACO's Pointdrain is a perfect solution for ponding water on lawns and driveways or to stop washing caused by downspouts or hose...

Not-so-heavy metal.(Custom Metal Stairs)
September 1, 2004... Third-floor apartments and urban walk-ups frequently have a red-iron fire escape or secondary stair required by code. While red iron has been used in this application forever, it's heavy and requires constant painting to prevent rust. If you or...

Energy-saving attic stair.(Custom Metal Stairs)
September 1, 2004... Typical attic stairs bought at the lumberyard or home center waste huge amounts of energy, and their rickety construction doesn't instill a lot of confidence. If you're looking to upgrade, you might consider the Rainbow Attic Stair. The...

New spin on stairs.(Custom Metal Stairs)
September 1, 2004... Metal spiral stairs have always been a good way to fit a staircase in a tight spot, but more recently the design community is looking to fabricated metal for its good looks and speedy installation. Fabricators like Custom Iron produce...

Residential sprinkler.(Fire Prevention and Suppression)
September 1, 2004... Although it's widely known that sprinkler systems help save lives and reduce property damage, residential sprinklers have been slow to catch on because of high installation costs. REHAU's Fire Protection System is one of the new generations of...

Flame-stopping sealant.(Fire Prevention and Suppression)
September 1, 2004... Any place where pipes and cables pass through floors and walls is a place where flame and smoke can spread to other parts of the building. The careful inspection of these penetrations was once reserved for commercial buildings and multi-family...

Resist burn-out.(Fire Prevention and Suppression)
September 1, 2004... CPVC pipe is inexpensive, easy to install, and doesn't have pitting and corrosion problems like metal pipe. These attributes alone are making CPVC pipe an increasingly popular choice for residential and commercial sprinkler systems. The...

Alarm panel.(Fire Prevention and Suppression)
September 1, 2004... While many fire alarm panels are made for huge institutional buildings, smaller structures don't require such a large, expensive panel. A better product for residential and light-commercial applications is the Silent Knight 5808 fire alarm...

Plug-and-play spa.(Shower Spas)
September 1, 2004... With a total of 22 body and back jets, the Stamina shower is a "plug-and-play" system that requires only a water hookup to install. The system includes a 3/4-inch thermostatic valve, eight body jets, ten back jets, and handheld and overhead...

Made for upgrade.(Shower Spas)
September 1, 2004... With adjustable body jets incorporated into the valve trim, the Monitor Jetted Shower XO series makes a remodeling upgrade nearly as convenient as new construction. The valve also features a third outlet for an additional showerhead, handspray,...

Power shower.(Shower Spas)
September 1, 2004... Type-A personalities generally like to feel they're in command, even while naked in the shower. Cater to their needs with the ESS--Electronic Shower System, which gives push-button control of the entire experience. Switching jets is as easy as...

Get wet with the jet set.(Shower Spas)
September 1, 2004... Your wealth-challenged clients can finally stop gazing through the showroom window at all those highfalutin zillion-dollar custom shower modules and start enjoying the bathing styles of the rich and famous. The $400 VertiSpa retrofit shower...

Hot seat.(Microwave Ovens)
September 1, 2004... An optional in-line 600-cfm ventilator is just the beginning of the attributes boasted for the PMOR30 Over-the-Range Microwave. And why not boast? This 30-inch-wide oven can not only microwave, but convection cook too, or even combine both...

Square meals in a round world.(Microwave Ovens)
September 1, 2004... Instead of rotating, the "turntable" in this oven uses back-and-forth motion to distribute the radiation evenly throughout rectangular dishes measuring up to 12x14 1/2 inches. The LMVM 1955S Over-the-Range Oven includes halogen down-lighting,...

Hybrid wall oven.(Microwave Ovens)
September 1, 2004... The oven is typically the least-used major kitchen appliance, but a Profile Trivection Oven may provide the exception to that rule. A combination of microwave, thermal, and convection heat cooks food up to five times faster, according to the...

No-spin zone.(Microwave Ovens )
September 1, 2004... The R-2120JK Over-the-Range Microwave emits its cooking energy from beneath a ceramic surface and needs no turntable. Even better, the 2.1-cubic-foot oven automatically monitors cooking vapors to determine optimal cooking times, eliminating the...

Not your typical construction trade show.(Special Advertising Section)(The Journal of Light Construction)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... More than 10 years ago, The Journal of Light Construction magazine recognized that builders and remodelers weren't getting the practical information they needed from traditional conferences and trade shows. JLC believed that it was possible to...

Simpson strong-tie: protective shield plate nail stopper.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Simpson's PSPN516Z for repairing notched top plates and sill plates combines a repair strap tie with a protective shield plumbing plate. Z-Max[R] coated. Prescriptive to the IRC, IBG and Plumbing Codes. Simpson offers 13 products to meet code...

Stanley Fastening Systems.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Stanley Fastening Systems introduces the new Bostitch[R] Cap Stapler (SB150SLBC-1). With the new Cap Stapler, installing felt, housewrap and foam board insulation is more efficient and staples and caps are applied with more holding power than...

Andersen windows.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Inspired by history, the new Andersen[R] 400 Series Woodwright[TM] double-hung window delivers time-honored, traditional styling combined with the latest technology and performance benefits. For more information, call 1-800-426-4261 ext, 5451...

Malco.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Adjustable EDGE ROLLER, from Malco, makes clean, precise bends along the full length of metal roofing and building panels. Easy-to-use thumbscrews lock in stop gauges at 5/8-inch to 4-inch bending depths. Rollers at ends of stops, ball bearing...

Advanta.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Advanta supports small construction business owners with exclusive products and services, as well as opportunities to save money and grow. As one of the nation's largest issuers of MasterCard business credit cards to small businesses, Advanta...

Maibec.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Maibec, the leading producer of white cedar shingles, innovates yet again with Shingle Shop: The Cedar Strip: The latest revolution saves up to 60% on installation time. The Cedar Panel: With Home Slicker[TM] to keep moisture at bay,...

Simpson strong-tie: one part for two applications.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... 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 of both sides of the wall, while the single stud plate tie requires fewer fasteners than other...

Alum-a-pole.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Good-bye trim coil ripples!!! Fourteen years and many field-tested improvements later, Pro-Trim Solid Vinyl Coil has come of age. Newly introduced is our Hide-A-Nail/Accu-Slide/Pro-Tack System. This revolutionary method does it all. And...

Louisiana-Pacific.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... WeatherBest Composite Decking and Railing. The fabulous look and feel of natural wood is now available in a wonderful composite, with reversible boards-featuring random graining patterns over a roughsawn texture. No splinters. No knots. No...

Bosch Power Change[TM] Hole Saw System.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... The new Bosch Power Change Hole Saw System matches a complete range of rugged bi-metal saws with new Power Change Mandrels for fast, easy change out and plug removal. New Bosch Progressor[TM] Tooth Geometry combines cutting teeth with specially...

Calculated Industries.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Construction Master[R] feet-inch-fraction, Metric calculators quickly solve construction-math problems using built-in functions to eliminate lengthy formulas and equations, Easily lay out stairs roofs and frames. Work in and convert between...

Georgia-Pacific.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... DensGlass Silver[TM] residential structural wall sheathing from G-P Gypsum has structural values comparable to wood fiberboard. Manufactured in 1/2-inch thickness, it features glass mats on the front and back along with a moisture-resistant...

AZEK.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... AZEK[R] Trimboards is a line of cellular pvc trim products with the look, feel and even sound of clear lumber. The AZEK Trimboards family of products features the unequalled combination of uniformity, durability, workability, and beauty. AZEK...

Bosch.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... The Bosch Power Box's 4-way GFCI outlet, integrated battery charger, 12-volt cell phone/two-way radio charging outlet, AM/FM digital radio, CD player and MP3 player auxiliary jack keep jobsites rockin' all day. www.BoschTools.com or call...

Trex.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Introducing the new Trex[R] Designer Series[TM] railing system, a complete line of elegant components, including rails, support brackets, posts, balusters, caps and skirts. At the heart of the system is the unique TrexExpress[TM] assembly tool...

United States Gypsum Company.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... FIBEROCK[R] Brand AQUA-TOUCH[TM] Interior Panels resist abuse while offering protection against moisture and mold. Available in 1/2- and 5/8-inch thicknesses. the panels can be installed and finished like traditional wallboard. Their unique...