This is the place to rant, rave, brag, belly-ache, crack a joke, procrastinate, and delve into the metaphysical aspects of the DIY mindset. We’re off the map, on a tangent, and frequently off topic. This is the stuff we don’t show on TV.
This topic includes information related to acoustic room components installed during construction. Acoustic room components are installed within a space on walls and ceilings to absorb and reflect sound. Manufactured systems are available in a variety of materials for fixed and moveable installations.
This topic includes information related to staining and transparent finishing applied during construction. Stain is a type of coating that consists of pigments, solvents and binder. Depending on the makeup of these components stain may be transparent or semitransparent. Stain can be applied to both interior and exterior wood finishes with a brush, roller or sprayer.
This topic includes information related to decorative finishing applied during construction. Decorative finishing is applied to horizontal, vertical and overhead surfaces of an interior space. These surface finishes are not paint or high performance coatings. Texture, faux and multicolor finishes are commonly achieved with metallics, plasters, cementitious materials, in addition to other coating materials.
This topic includes information related to high-performance coatings applied during construction. High-performance coatings are applied to materials installed in areas where conditions may affect a material and require added protection. High-performance coatings include: abrasion resistant, graffiti resistant, marine, high temperature, chemical resistant, fire retardant, intumescent, elastomeric, epoxy, high build glazed, textured plastic and aggregate wall coatings.
This topic includes information related to intumescent painting applied during construction. Intumescent paint is a thin film like substance that swells when exposed to high temperatures. Commonly applied to structural steel columns, beams, trusses, fire escape stairwells, in addition other materials, intumescent paint provides passive fire protection to concealed and exposed structural assemblies to prevent structural failure.
This topic includes information related to steel coatings applied during construction. Steel coatings are protective coatings applied to steel materials used in construction. Depending on the application, steel coatings are field applied organic or inorganic coatings.
Soils are made up of fragments of rocks and minerals as well as organics such as decayed plant material. Construction professionals use established soil classifications that help them define the type, size and distribution of soil particles in a representative sample at a project site. Prior to work, soil samples will often be taken and analyzed if a clear and comprehensive assessment of the site soils cannot be quickly determined. Classification allows for a sound understanding of a soil’s weight by volume, ability to support loads, permeability, cohesiveness and texture. These factors are not only critical to academic engineering concerns, but also represent time and cost considerations for earthwork, such as a potential need to remove existing soils and replace them with new ones, or concerns about construction equipment becoming mired in poor soils. Earthwork activities for a project might include clearing away debris and vegetation, grading of the project site to a level condition, excavations and embankments, and preparing roadway soils for pavement operations.
Board insulation, also referred to as foam-plastic board insulation, can be used in many areas of building construction to provide thermal resistance. It is appropriate for use under concrete floor slabs, at foundation walls, in wall cavities, as a backer material for remodeling with new siding, and in a wide range of roofing applications. Foam plastic boards encompass three types: polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, and polyurethane. All types of foam-plastic board insulation panels need to be protected from the damaging ultraviolet effects of the sun. Additionally, foam-plastic insulation should be protected from fire as it will emit dense smoke containing toxic gases. Unfaced foam-plastic insulation boards used in construction are required by codes to be completely concealed in fire resistant materials. Glass fiber resin mixtures and mineral wool are also manufactured in board products for use in construction applications. Blanket, foamed-in-place, loose-fill, blow-in and sprayed type insulations are summarized in other sections.
Modified bituminous roofing systems are available in two materials which are commonly used today for low-sloped roofing applications: Atactic Polypropylene (APP) and Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS). The primary purpose for both of these materials is to provide the weatherproofing cover for the roof assembly. Crude bitumen is a hydrocarbon created naturally from petroleum, and modified bitumen is a blend of other organic materials with a polymer additive of either atactic polypropylene or styrene butadiene styrene. Atactic polypropylene is a plastic additive that gives rigidity and tear resistance to the final product, and styrene-butadiene-styrene is a rubber additive that gives more resilient benefits. These blends are then applied to a base material of polyester or fiberglass. Sheet asphalt paving (mastic asphalt concrete) makes up the majority of bituminous products used in the U.S. Even though bitumen is sometimes referred to as tar or tar-like in its consistency, it is not to be confused with tar. Tar is a product manufactured from coal and is not used as a part of this roofing system.
Roof decking pavers have created new opportunities for otherwise lost and unusable spaces. Roofs and decks now have the ability to be functional, attractive exterior pedestrian plazas and living environments. Pavers can be installed on roof decks and promenades, terraces, balconies, patios, plazas, arenas, roof gardens, and even on mechanical access walkways. Roof decking pavers come in a wide variety of colors, finishes and textures. Because of it's durability and strength, concrete is the primary material used to produce roof decking pavers.
This topic includes information related to membrane roof replacement performed during the life cycle of a structure. Membrane roofing is a type of flat roofing material made from synthetic rubber, thermoplastic or modified bitumen. Membrane roofing material will need to be maintained during the life cycle of a structure. Maintenance could be minor repair or major replacement, when this occurs depends on the type of material, quality of installation and the result of exposure to the elements.
This topic includes information related to blanket insulation installed during construction. Blanket insulation is commonly installed along crawl space foundation walls, between studs, joists and rafters. Blanket insulation materials include; fiberglass, mineral wool, plastic fibers and natural fibers.
