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.
Homeowners wanting to add to or renovate their properties need to know the right questions to ask. Contacting your city zoning office before starting work to obtain a building permit and to verify that the project is permitted under the current zoning ordinances will get you started on the right foot. Understanding property set-back issues and backyard space rules will also help ensure a successful project.
Fire-retardant wood treatment (FRT) is the process by which pressure impregnates wood with fire-retardant chemicals. It is a protective treatment that reduces the combustible nature of wood, minimizes the effects of fire, and is suitable for interior and exterior wood, dimensional lumber, engineered lumber (excluding wood wafer products), and finish materials. Two types of FRT exist today: one involves a blend of a nitrogen-phosphorus organic compound and boric acid, and the other involves the use of ammonium polyphosphates with additives (boric acid, borax, moldicides, and others). Formulation compositions used to treat wood are proprietary and differ between manufacturers.
A growing number of people have become aware of and even begun to measure their personal, ecological footprint on the planet. Others are concerned about healthy living and working spaces free of toxins. Some people simply see greening their properties as an effective cost-cutting measure or wise investment.
Ignoring certain zoning matters during the critical opening stages of your building or development project can be devastating. Property set-back issues and future land-use studies can be roadblocks or temporary stumbling points on the way to success. Whether you are building on commercial, residential, or industrial property, it is essential that you ask the right questions. The answers can make or break your project.
In addition to efficient watering, you need to know how to fertilize your landscape properly in order to have a healthy green lawn and garden. Read on to learn some fertilizer basics that will keep your yard looking great.
Domestic water piping supplies water to the water heater and to all fixtures within a building. Common domestic water piping materials include copper, CPVC, and PEX tubing (cross-linked polymers). ABS plastic piping, galvanized steel, and black iron pipe were previously used in domestic water piping applications but are not currently approved under the 2009 International Building Code (IBC).
Since 2000, the City of Columbus has been proactively embarking on the revitalization of the Downtown area, including the renovation of several office buildings, as well as the construction of new condominiums and an amphitheatre. The Downtown Columbus skyline will soon be changing again due to the addition of a revolutionary design structure—the new Main Street Bridge. The bridge that previously stood in its place, running along the Scioto River, was closed in 2002 due to deterioration, 65 years after it opened in 1937. Construction, which was initially scheduled to be completed in June 2009, is now scheduled to be completed this August.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) assigned the United States’ Hazardous Waste infrastructure a grade of “D” on their 2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. Why? Too many sites, not enough attention to them, and reduced funding, to name a few.
Frank Gehry's second architectural venture into New York City is also his tallest building yet. Spiraling 76 stories and enveloping 1.1 million square feet, Beekman Tower dominates the nearby Woolworth building in downtown Manhattan. Under construction since 2006, the newest addition to the city's distinct skyline is expected to open early next year, and it proves that Gehry's signature, sculptural vocabulary translates successfully into skyscraper form.
Speed matters. That is a fundamental fact of the construction business. In my years as an architect, I don’t recall ever meeting a single client who said, “It doesn’t matter when my building gets completed.” Every project has deadlines, and every deadline is important. If the owner is financing the work through a construction loan, then the faster the building is completed, the sooner they can complete the loan. If the owner is a school district or an expanding business, then there may be hard deadlines that must be met, such as the day that the new school needs to be open for students or when the business owner needs the space for additional equipment or employees.
Metal decking is used in a wide variety of commercial and industrial applications. It includes steel roof and floor decking, aluminum floor decking, and acoustical metal decking. Metal decking typically has a ribbed or corrugated profile that is achieved through a process called roll forming. Large sheets of metal are pulled off of rolls and led through rolling dies that create the ribbed profile. Metal decking is used for flooring and roofing and also for the creation of forms for concrete. Metal decking is installed by using screws or pneumatically driven pins and can also be welded.
The all-inclusive, load-bearing design of structural insulated panels (SIPs) offers an energy-efficient, quiet alternative to conventional wood framing methods. In recent years, SIPs have increasingly grown in popularity as builders strive to provide more durable products, use more environmentally sustainable building methods, and reduce costs. According to AMA Research, SIPs are now the fastest growing new building method on the market.
