Boxes come in two basic types Metal and Plastic.
For general residential construction the choice is left up to the contractor and if the box is not exposed then it will most often be a plastic box. Exposed boxes like the ones found in unfinished basements and outside the home are made of metal this is to reduce the risk of breaking the box and then having exposed wires.
Installing …
Electricity can be dangerous.
You should always turn the circuit off at the breaker box or remove any fuse to a circuit you are working on.
One easy way to find the circuit is to plug-in a radio in to the branch you want to work on then turn off breakers at the main box until the noise stops. Once the circuit is cold you want to tape that circuit breaker in the off position and hang a sign over it …
Framing refers to the process of building the structure of the house. Once the foundation is established carpenters begin to build the frame of the house with nominal sized 2x lumber and plywood material.
The methods used for building the frame of the house vary by region, the materials being used and builders experience. All builders will have a different way of getting the work done but the inspection process will make sure that general standards are adhered …
Post and Pier foundations are most often associated with beach or river front settings. Their main use in those areas is to provide a footing that will support the home over loose soil or sand and also to raise the home above the flood zone level.
Other uses of Pier and post foundations would be to allow for quick building of a home in a rural area where the costs of concrete would be prohibitive or its transport impossible. Another …
Concrete is the fastest and easiest way to form a buildings foundation. Aluminum or wood forms are used to define the shape and placement of the wall and then concrete is poured into the form and allowed to cure.
Foundations have 3 basic parts: the footing, the wall and the Slab or floor.
Footing specifications must be designed by an engineer or qualified architect. Although special considerations for your project may be necessary most of the time the specifications will be …
Concrete foundations used in home and commercial construction come in many different configurations and are made up of many different parts. The four basic types of foundations used in residential construction include: Slab, Kneewall, full basements and post and pier. Each of these require some type of footing. The main reason for a foundation is to support the structure and to provide a level starting point for building. The main function of the footing is to provide a stable base …
Concrete is one of the most versatile products used in construction. From the well known like foundations and walkways to the more innovative uses found in countertops and exterior siding concrete products are proving that they are cost effective, durable and worth a second look.
If you are building a foundation you may order cubic yards by the truckload or you can quickly build up walls with Pre-Cast blocks.
Pre-cast concrete is also used for …
Steel and Wood beams are used throughout homes and commercial buildings to provide proper distribution of floor and wall loads. There are a few different types of beam designs and various materials that can be used but the most important factor is matching the structural rating of the beam to the loads being supported. For this reason under most conditions Beams will need to be specified by an Architect or Structural Engineer.
Mid-span Beams are the most common type used …
With proper maintenance your deck can last years longer so taking a half a day to paint it should not be looked at as a nasty chore but a protection of your investment.
Penetration into the wood is the main difference between Paints and Stains.
Paints can be thought of as a thick outer shell that will fail once it is chipped off. Stain will enter into the wood and continue to protect the wood …
Every good project starts with a good plan and although Decks are a pretty simple project you will probably need to submit plans to your Building Official to get a permit for construction.
For specifications of how detailed your plans need to be you should call your local permit office and ask them what they will need from you.
Most areas will require:
• A Plot Plan of your homes lot showing the location and …
Flooring Manufacturers
Laminate Floors
Abet Laminati
Alloc, Inc.
Armstrong World Industries
BHK of America
Bruce Laminate Floors
Classen USA
Columbia Forest Products
Duramar
Faus Group, USA
Faus Floor
Kaindl Flooring
Kronotex
Mannington Mills
Mohawk Laminate Flooring
Pergo
QuickStyle Industries
Quick Step Laminate Floors
Roysol
Shaw Laminates
Uniboard of Canada
Hardwood Floors
Anderson Wood Floors
Authentic Pine Floors
Award Wood …
Elk Building Products (composite lumber) www.elkcorp.com
Georgia Pacific www.GP.com
Louisiana-Pacific www.lpcorp.com
TimberTech (composite lumber) www.timbertech.com
Weyerhaeuser www.weyerhaeuser.com