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. …
Why Bricks Have Holes: A Simple but Brilliant Idea
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. …
The Difference Between a Control Joint and an Expansion Joint
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 …
What is the Difference Between Brick and Brick Veneer?
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 …
How Long Does it Take for Scratch Coat to Dry?
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?
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. …
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 …