Wood-burning fireplaces are a relatively simple way of heating your home and have been around for centuries. Still, one common mistake homeowners often make is not building them deep enough to keep all the smoke inside. This can lead to smoke escaping into the room, …
Are Ridge Boards Load-Bearing?
Located at the very top of roofing systems, ridge boards appear as the main framing members at the peak of a roof. Since the rafters and other roof framing sections below are attached to the ridge board, you might wonder if it supports structural weight. …
Can Basement Stairs be Moved? What You Need to Know
Have you considered changing the location of your basement stairs to the opposite side? You’re not alone. Many people find that the current location of their basement stair doesn’t work well with their house layout. In this blog post we’ll go over what it takes …
Can Spiral Stairs be Used for Egress? What the Code Says
Planning for and providing emergency egress is a critical part of building design. One question that often comes up during the design of a home is whether spiral stairs can be included as a means of egress since they are difficult to climb or descend …
Are Trex Decks Worth It? Everything You Need To Know
When it comes to building a deck in your backyard or around your pool, you’ve got a lot of choices involving design and use. But when it comes to materials, you’re either looking at treated lumber or some sort of composite decking, like Trex, for …
Should a Wooden Privacy Fence Touch the Ground?
A wooden privacy fence is a wonderful way to keep your property private without sacrificing the beauty of nature. There are many options when it comes to building a wooden privacy fence and one important decision you will need to make is whether or not …
What is the Difference Between a Basement and a Cellar?
The terms basement and cellar are often used interchangeably, but there are some distinctions between them. They can vary in terms of their use, whether they are finished or unfinished, and perhaps most importantly, whether they are partially or fully submerged. The difference between a …
What Do Dotted Lines Mean on a Floor Plan?
When reviewing floor plans you may have come across portions of the drawing that are shown with dotted or dashed lines. After seeing them, you may wonder what they represent and why they are illustrated differently from other lines on the architectural or engineering plan. …