The size of studs used in exterior walls, coupled with additional insulation can be highly energy saving. You can determine the possible payback by understanding heating degree days.
Q&A /
Majestic Fireplace Customer Service Davey lives in Baltimore, Maryland. Yesterday, he wrote me the following: "I have a small townhouse with a corner fireplace (zero clearance) in the basement that was built 33-years-ago. The seven years we've lived here we've always known there's cold air coming in from behind the fireplace. Finally, I cut open the Read More »
Quick Summary: Compare slab to crawl space wood floor cost Pros and Cons of slab Pros and Cons of crawl space wood floor Karen lives in Saint Cloud, Florida. She emailed me the following: "I would like to build a home that is about 600 sq ft with 1000 sq ft roof to cover the front Read More »
DEAR TIM: Yesterday I stopped by my new house that’s under construction. I go there at the end of each day to take photos. I saw a strange board nailed across the wall studs that surely is a mistake. It ran at a diagonal from the bottom wall plate up the wall to one corner Read More »
This is an experiment. I discussed it in my September 14, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter under Galvanized Nails, Screws and Connectors. I want to see if you're interested in discovering how and why things work around your home in a fun and clever way. Please take the quiz below. It's only five questions. All of the questions Read More »
Gordon Doughman is a subscriber to my FREE newsletter. He was kind enough to share a fascinating discovery he made. Allow him to share the story: "Tim, I know in several of your recent newsletters you discussed galvanized nails and the performance difference between hot dipped versus electroplated nails. I recently rebuilt my deck (capped Read More »
Door Rough Opening Not Square Don Sanders is pulling out his hair in Peculiar, MO. It seems he installed a door in his shed and the rough opening wasn't square. Here's what he sent to me: "I installed an entry door in my shed. The floor was level and the jack and king studs were level. Read More »
I was in Antigua in May of 2015 doing work as an expert witness on a civil construction case. The photos below show what I've come to realize are somewhat standard Antigua construction. From what I've seen driving around, there's a significant lower quality standard than what you'd see in certain parts of the USA. Read More »
Helen Jennings wants to create a new door in the exterior wall of an ancient stone home in Holmbridge, West Yorkshire England! Here's what she sent me: "Do you think it would be possible to knock a doorway through this side external wall on the same level as the front door? I'd also want to add a Read More »
DEAR TIM: My husband and I are in the initial planning stages of our new home. We have several interior hallways and I'm not able to visualize them looking at the plans. My fear is they'll be like tunnels and resemble the giant bowling alleys I walk down when walking to my room in a Read More »
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