Tag:Tips
Dormers
Ever wondered what kind of dormers you have on your house? Or are you thinking of adding dormers to your house and not sure how? Remodeling Magazine had a quick one page article on adding fitting dormers to an existing house that could help. A search for “dormers” on their site produce a whole host of useful articles on the subject.
Dormers serve many functions: They can be purely aesthetic to the exterior elevation, adding curb appeal to the structure. They can allow light into the interior space. They can add ventilation. They can add headroom and usable floor space in cramped attics. Deciding on what you want your dormer to do is the first step.
In Pursuit of Green
Obtainable Green
I ran across the above graphic in an article from Multifamily Executive, a magazine I get at the office, titled Obtainable Target by Laura McKenzie. I’ve written here before about my concerns regarding the cost of “green” vs the claimed savings. From my experience I have my doubts about the above claims of costs vs returns as well as the exageration rate of concerned contractors. There is no doubt that in some cases there are legitimate savings to be obtained through green building. I just want the clients of Easterday Construction to pursue green with their eyes open. Greenwashing can be found in the form of shams from hucksters as well as exageration by wishfull-thinkng zealots. Beware of both. Do the math for yourself. Easterday Construction Co., Inc. would be happy to help you.
Russell Voss Receives NCCER Certification
Congratulations Russell! Russell completed Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) Green Worker NCCER course “Your Role in the Green Environment” and received certification for this achievement. This was an afterhours course presented by Dave Weitz, a trainer at ABC’s Michiana Training Facility. Russell made the committment to attend this course and passed with flying colors. We’re proud of Russell! Easterday Construction Co., Inc. encourages all of our employees to pursue continuing their education and we feel knowledge of Green Building will be valuable to Russell and our company as we go forward. We’re encouraging Russell to share what he has learned with the rest of the ECC crew.
Green That Saves Green 101: T-Wall Intersections
Figure 1 – T-Wall Traditional Framing
Following up on our previous entry on corner connections which dealt mainly with exterior corners, we can look at intersections between interior and exterior walls, often referred to as T-Walls. These connections create some of the same issues. There is a need for support at the corner structurally and as a connection point for interior finish material. Traditional framing accomplishes this using two additional studs in the cross wall to provide nailing corners for interior finishes. (Figure 1) When the cross wall is an exterior wall, the same issues of maximizing insulation in the exterior wall applies. The additional studs can create an insulation void as well as unnecessary use of additional wood studs.
Figure 2 – T-Wall with Bypass Drywall
In a room with drywall finishes, one of the most economical and efficient methods of solving these issues is to install drywall continuously on the cross wall prior to installing the T-Wall studs. (Figure 2) This can be accomplished before the cross wall is built or the connecting stud can be left out or loose until after the drywall on the cross wall is installed. This is a technique that is often used in steel stud framing.
Figure 3 – T-Wall with 2 x 6 Back-up
When it is not practical to install the cross wall drywall first, blocking can be used to provide finish support at corners. When the T-Wall is 2 x 4 construction, a 2 x 6 installed within the cross wall can accomplish this. (Figure 3) As this is only there to create a nailing strip, scrap salvaged from roof sheathing, floor decking or other areas can be substituted for the 2 x 6. Also, since the 2 x 6 is not there as structural support, it does not have to be continuous as long as it provides nailing points at least every 24″ o/c.
Figure 4 – T-Wall Ladder Connection
Further efficiency can be achieved using scrap lumber, 2 x 4 cutoffs, scrap roof and floor sheathing, etc. to create a ladder effect to provide nailing points. (Figure 4) Drywall clips are also a solution, as previously discussed.
These things require planning, but are easily accomplished.
Easterday Construction Co., Inc. will be making every effort to use these more efficient corners for T-Walls on projects as we go forward. Preferably the bypass method, but using salvaged lumber when this isn’t possible. This is Green that saves Green!
Summary
- Reduction in materials required for the job. Two less studs and associated fasteners at each corner.
- Reduction in labor necessary for material installation.
- Reduction in waste material sent to the landfill when cutoffs are substituted for new studs.
- Increase in energy efficiency by increasing the accessible wall cavity and eliminating the heat transfer through the additional studs when this situation occurs with an outside wall.
Cordless Tool Tips
Advances in battery technology has made the use of cordless tools on jobsite obiquitous. The NiCad and NiMH batteries are still the most prominent due to costs, but the new Li-ion batteries are quickly taking over. Despite their greater costs, they can generally provide more power with lighter weight batteries. (Be sure to dispose of failed batteries properly. Most manufacturers have recycling programs allowing the return of batteries that no longer work for recycling. Cadmium can have a detrimental effect on the environment if not handled properly.)
Along with the advances in the batteries there have been advances in how the tools and chargers manage the batteries. Sensors in the tools track the draw-down of the battery’s stored power and better manage it. Chargers optimize the charging time, run refresh cycles to even out battery cell usage reducing the memory effect and some include fans to reduce heat in the charging process.
All these things are improving the use of cordless tools on our jobsites. Cordless tools will continue to improve and are the wave of the future for construction workers.
