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  • Technical Details / May 20, 2021

    Are Trex Decks Worth It? Everything You Need To Know

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  • Technical Details / May 22, 2022

    Do All Brick Homes Have Studs?

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  • Construction / July 18, 2021

    Are Renovations an Asset or an Expense?

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  • Construction / May 11, 2020

    Why does Caulk Crack when Painted?

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  • Construction / January 22, 2021

    How To Convert Any Room Into a Laundry Room

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  • Construction / May 24, 2021

    Do You Need Building Permits in Rural Areas?

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  • Technical Details / October 7, 2021

    2 Common Reasons Why Chimneys Are Crooked

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  • Technical Details / November 21, 2021

    Why Do Modern Houses Often Have Flat Roofs?

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  • Construction / May 15, 2022

    Can You Legally Brick Up Your Back Door?

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  • Construction / April 15, 2018

    What is Thermal Control in Buildings?

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  • Construction / September 26, 2021

    How Early Can Construction Start in Residential Areas?

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  • Construction / August 1, 2020

    Sanded vs. Unsanded Caulk: When to Use Each One

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  • Construction / February 23, 2019

    What is the Purpose of a Bond Beam?

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  • Technical Details / May 23, 2020

    How to Paint Expanding Foam (6 Steps)

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  • Technical Details / September 10, 2020

    Not All Roof Shingles are Made Equal: 7 Types to Know

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  • Technical Details / February 5, 2022

    Do Roof Trusses Need Load-Bearing Walls?

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  • Construction / July 31, 2022

    13 Sustainable Building Materials for Homes

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  • Technical Details / March 20, 2020

    Does Damp Proofing Require Building Regulations?

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  • Construction / March 16, 2022

    How To Divide a Basement Into Separate Rooms

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  • Technical Details / December 14, 2020

    What Is Frame Construction? A Complete Guide

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  • Technical Details / December 22, 2020

    Steel vs. Aluminum Siding: Which Is Better?

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  • Construction / May 4, 2020

    Asphalt or Concrete? The Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

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  • Technical Details / March 14, 2020

    The Difference Between a Control Joint and an Expansion Joint

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  • Technical Details / November 21, 2021

    Are Homes Built With Pressure Treated Wood?

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  • Construction / July 5, 2020

    Do You Need Noggins in Floor Joists?

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  • Technical Details / April 18, 2020

    How to Choose Anchor Bolts: The Complete Buyer’s Guide

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  • Construction / April 15, 2021

    Here’s When to Worry About a Foundation Crack

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  • Technical Details / July 3, 2022

    Can Doorbell Wires Shock You? 4 Important Facts

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  • Construction / January 16, 2023

    Is Building a Custom Home Worth It? How To Decide

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  • Technical Details / June 6, 2020

    Why Bricks are Different: A Guide to Size and Color

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  • Construction / July 18, 2021

    Here’s What To Expect When Renovating an Old House

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  • Construction / December 24, 2022

    How Long Can Framing Be Exposed to the Weather?

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  • Construction / May 16, 2020

    Can You Add a Room to a Condo?

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  • Construction / November 22, 2020

    Can You Build on Clay Soil?

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  • Construction / August 2, 2020

    9 Steps to Drill Through Floor Joists Safely

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  • Technical Details / September 11, 2020

    8 Best Building Materials for Energy-Efficient Houses

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  • Technical Details / December 24, 2020

    Is Pine a Good Building Material?

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  • Construction / May 26, 2021

    How To Fix Sagging Vinyl Siding (Step-by-Step)

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  • Construction / May 28, 2022

    How To Fix Too Much Mud Applied to Drywall

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  • Construction / April 23, 2020

    How to Add a Window to a Basement (9 Steps)

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  • Design Theory / November 20, 2021

    8 Tips for Designing the Perfect Building Facade

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  • Technical Details / March 14, 2020

    Can Screws be Used with Joist Hangers?

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  • Construction / April 15, 2018

    What are the Different Types of Flashing?

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  • Design Theory / January 8, 2019

    Elements of Circulation in Architecture

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  • Technical Details / September 15, 2020

    Are Bricks Better Than Blocks? An In-Depth Guide

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  • Technical Details / April 19, 2020

    Should Cavity Walls be Insulated? Pros and Cons

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  • Technical Details / January 1, 2022

    How To Design a Building Foundation (Ultimate Guide)

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  • Construction / July 17, 2021

    Do You Need a General Contractor To Renovate?

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  • Technical Details / October 10, 2021

    Should Every Room Have a Return Vent?

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  • Technical Details / February 3, 2022

    Can Sheetrock Ever Be Used Outside?

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  • Construction / December 29, 2020

    What Is a Footing in Construction? A Complete Guide

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  • Construction / July 4, 2020

    Do Roof Shingles Fade or Darken Over Time?

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  • Technical Details / January 1, 2022

    This is How Houses are Designed to Withstand Volcanoes

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  • Technical Details / October 22, 2021

    Should Every Basement Be Insulated?

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  • Technical Details / November 22, 2020

    Is Interlocking Brick Good for Construction Use?

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  • Construction / December 12, 2020

    15 Things You Need to Know Before Building an Addition

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  • Design Theory / January 6, 2019

    Form and Space in Architecture

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  • Technical Details / August 11, 2020

    What Is Modified Bitumen Roofing?

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  • Design Theory / March 31, 2021

    What Makes a Good Floor Plan?

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  • Technical Details / March 20, 2022

    This Is How Thick Your Floor Leveler Should Be

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  • Construction / August 9, 2020

    What Happens if it Rains While Roofing?

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  • Construction / January 29, 2022

    How Long Can Roof Underlay Be Exposed?

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  • Technical Details / May 20, 2021

    Should a Wooden Privacy Fence Touch the Ground?

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  • Technical Details / June 20, 2020

    Are Dark Roof Shingles a Bad Idea?

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  • Construction / October 26, 2021

    How To Knock Down a Wall That Has an Outlet

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  • Design Theory / December 24, 2022

    How To Make Your Siding Look Better (5 Ways)

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  • Design Theory / December 31, 2018

    6 Ordering Principles Used in Architecture

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  • Technical Details / May 22, 2022

    Why Do So Many Doors Have 6 Panels?

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  • Technical Details / September 16, 2020

    9 Best Building Materials for Desert Climates

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  • Construction / October 16, 2021

    5 Reasons Why Building Permits Are So Expensive

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  • Construction / May 16, 2020

    8 Reasons Your Basement Walls Sweat – With Fixes

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  • Construction / December 24, 2022

    Do Foundations Need To Be Poured in One Sitting?

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  • Technical Details / May 31, 2021

    Can Spiral Stairs be Used for Egress? What the Code Says

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  • Construction / June 27, 2020

    Sanded Caulk vs. Silicone: What’s the Difference?

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  • Construction / February 6, 2022

    How To Mark Sheetrock for Outlets: 7 Methods

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  • Construction / April 15, 2021

    Can You Use Old Concrete As Fill for New Concrete?

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  • Technical Details / October 28, 2021

    How Deep Should Plumbing Be Under a Slab?

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  • Construction / October 21, 2021

    Are Open Floor Plans Cheaper To Build?

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  • Technical Details / May 16, 2020

    Does Blacktop Need to be Sealed? Here’s the Truth

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  • Technical Details / March 2, 2019

    What is the Difference Between Floor Area and Lot Area?

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  • Technical Details / February 5, 2022

    6 Common Reasons Why Siding Comes Off

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  • Construction / June 28, 2020

    Why Caulk Bubbles Up and How to Prevent It

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  • Construction / June 3, 2021

    What is the Difference Between a Hip and Valley Rafter?

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  • Construction / March 25, 2020

    Can Concrete be Poured in the Rain?

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  • Design Theory / January 8, 2019

    Spatial Organization in Architecture

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  • Construction / July 4, 2020

    Are Old Roof Tiles Worth Anything?

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  • Construction / October 30, 2021

    How To Cut Drywall Without Cutting the Studs

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  • Construction / January 17, 2021

    How To Build a Closet: The Complete Guide

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  • Construction / October 6, 2021

    Can You Build Your Own House Without a License?

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  • Technical Details / December 10, 2020

    How to Seal a Basement Bulkhead Door (3 Methods)

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  • Design Theory / November 21, 2021

    Can You Design a Home Without Being an Architect?

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  • Technical Details / December 29, 2020

    Should Drywall Seams Be Staggered? What You Should Know

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  • Construction / June 21, 2020

    Does Caulk Stick to Caulk?

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  • Construction / May 10, 2020

    Does Expanding Foam Damage Wiring?

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  • Technical Details / August 2, 2020

    Brick Veneer vs. Stone Veneer: How to Make the Choice

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  • Technical Details / January 19, 2021

    Is Hemlock a Good Building Material?

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  • Construction / July 4, 2020

    How to Install Roof Flashing Against a Stucco Wall

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  • Technical Details / March 25, 2020

    Can Drywall Screws Hold Weight?

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  • Technical Details / October 26, 2021

    Should You Insulate a Crawl Space? How To Decide

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  • Construction / April 15, 2018

    10 Roofing Materials Commonly Used in Buildings

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Can Screws be Used with Joist Hangers?

In Technical Details by Giovanni ValleMarch 14, 2020Leave a Comment

When properly installed, joist hangers can keep your floors and decks secure and in good condition. While structural nails are typically used to fasten joist hangers, you may be wondering if screws can be used instead. You can use screws explicitly made for joist hangers. …

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Why Bricks Have Holes: A Simple but Brilliant Idea

In Technical Details by Giovanni ValleMarch 14, 2020Leave a Comment

While standard bricks are generally solid in form, you may come across bricks from time to time that have holes in them. It’s important to understand why some bricks have holes and how that might affect any sort of structure they are expected to uphold. …

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The Difference Between a Control Joint and an Expansion Joint

In Technical Details by Giovanni ValleMarch 14, 2020Leave a Comment

There are a few kinds of joints that are incorporated in concrete slabs. Two of the most common are control joints and construction joints. They sound similar, but are they the same? What is the difference between control joints and construction joints?  Control joints are …

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What is the Difference Between Brick and Brick Veneer?

In Technical Details by Giovanni ValleJuly 16, 2019Leave a Comment

Have you ever heard the term brick veneer and wondered what the difference is between it and regular brick? Is brick veneer made from a different type of brick, or perhaps a thinner or hollow brick? In reality, the terms “brick” and “brick veneer have …

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How Long Does it Take for Scratch Coat to Dry?

In Construction by Giovanni ValleApril 1, 2019Leave a Comment

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 …

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What is the Maximum Spacing for Anchor Bolts?

In Technical Details by Giovanni ValleMarch 2, 2019Leave a Comment

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 …

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What is the Difference Between Floor Area and Lot Area?

In Technical Details by Giovanni ValleMarch 2, 2019Leave a Comment

Floor area and lot area are two terms commonly used in zoning analysis. While often used in combination to determine other areas or ratios – such as Floor Area Ratio (FAR), for example – the two have distinct differences and are defined differently by code. …

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Can you Convert a Crawl Space into a Basement?

In Construction by Giovanni ValleMarch 2, 2019Leave a Comment

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 …

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About Your Own Architect

Giovanni Valle

Hi, I'm Gio Valle, creator of Your Own Architect. Whether you are looking to design and build your own house or simply doing some research, you've come to the right place. I developed this site in the hopes that it will provide you with valuable information and help answer your questions, so that you can create your perfect home.

Giovanni C Valle, RA, LEED AP

I'm a registered architect in New York and a member of the American Institute of Architects.

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