Scratch coats are one of the most important parts of doing your own masonry or putting together a new decorative concrete look to your home. It has a reputation for being a “make or break” point–especially when it comes to the drying process. How long …
What is the Maximum Spacing for Anchor Bolts?
Typically, information on anchor bolt spacing will be contained within your construction drawing set. If you don’t have a set of drawings to work from, you’ll want to reference your local building code for information. According to the International Building Code (IBC), the maximum spacing …
What is the Difference Between Floor Area and Lot Area?
When looking at building plans, you may come across two zoning phrases that may be unfamiliar: Floor Area and Lot Area. While seemingly the same, these two terms have distinct differences. A lot area is the total area of a property, including the yard up …
Can you Convert a Crawl Space into a Basement?
If your house has a crawl space under the floor, converting it to a basement can seem like an easy way to add some much-needed space to your home. Just dig down a little, shore up the posts a little, and you have a new …
What is the Difference Between a Site Plan and a Floor Plan?
Both site plans and floor plans are orthographic projection drawings viewed from above ground looking down. They are essentially complimentary plans which show different details of a proposed or existing building and its surroundings. Site plans detail the exterior portions surrounding a building structure, while …
Is Blocking Required for Floor Joists?
Skipping the installation of blocking on floor joists can be tempting as the process is somewhat labor-intensive. However, blocking can provide both rigidity and stability to a frame and, depending on the size of the joists, may even be required by code. Is blocking required …
What is the Purpose of a Bond Beam?
Bond beams, also called lintel blocks, are used in masonry construction to provide continuous horizontal reinforcement. This is typically achieved by filling U-shaped masonry units with grout or concrete and steel reinforcement. The purpose of a bond beam is to provide horizontal structural support above …
Do Cavity Walls Need Ventilation?
When moisture enters into an exterior wall, it can potentially cause problems with the various materials contained inside the wall cavity. As such, you may be wondering if ventilation is required for cavity wall construction. Traditional cavity walls do not require ventilation. They are designed …
