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Raised-heel trusses provide a simple, cost-effective way to meet stricter energy-efficiency codes and standards.
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Mastering the details matters if you want to avoid leaks when installing windows in homes with stucco walls. Here's a guide.
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Here's how to make sure concrete masonry block walls are insulated to meet stricter energy standards.
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Mention accessibility and most contractors are apt to imagine grab bars, curbless showers, and wheelchair ramps. But while those items are important, they're not the whole story. There are a number of issues that can trip up even the best builders when doing accessible homes. "You can lose your...
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Cellar's Market: Supplying materials for a dry, insulated basement can be a lucrative hedge against the downturn in new construction.
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When the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) takes effect in January, it will raise the energy bar more than any previous code, with a targeted 15% jump in the energy efficiency of new homes vs. the 2009 code and a 28% improvement over 2006. Getting over that hurdle will challenge...
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The 2009 IRC rules on wall bracing for wind are four times lengthier than 2006's. Some dislike all the new choices. Others say they're needed.
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Everyone makes mistakes; the key is to learn not to repeat them.
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There used to be pretty much one way to frame a wall: 2x4 studs spaced 16 inches on center with plywood or OSB sheathing. But some builders argue that doubling 2x4 walls delivers high-tech efficiency with low-tech framing skills.
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Advocating two- and three-stud corner construction can boost your rep and loyalty among energy-conscious builders.
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While new provisions in the 2009 International Residential Code should lead to better deck construction, there have been misunderstandings about some of them. Experts say that one in particular will likely bring unintended consequences.
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Providing a fire-rated wall may not be common in single-family housing, but knowing when such an assembly is required by code–and how to comply–can be a consulting opportunity that builds customer loyalty. It's likely that everything you need is already in stock.
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With cold weather bearing down on the northern half of the United States, it's a good bet that most homeowners and contractors hope this winter won't deliver a repeat of the storms that caused an estimated $2 billion in property damage last year.
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Five years ago, Criterium Engineers, a Portland, Maine, construction consulting firm, identified improper window installations as the No. 1 problem area reported by its 70 field offices from nearly 20,000 homes inspected nationally.
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Most crawl spaces have foundation vents to prevent buildup of excess moisture. But vented crawls often become breeding grounds for mold and moisture, leaving framing rotted and insulation soaked. Now many building scientists recommend sealing and insulating these spaces, and there's proof behind...