Archive for the 'New Construction' Category

Mar 02 2010

10′X14′ Storage Shed Plans For a Better Organized Home

It is the bane of many a household that their garage is packed to capacity with tools, equipments and other materials, besides their cars. The solution to this problem, however, is not that difficult. All it takes is to build a 10′X14′ storage shed. You can build it yourself with the help of plans, thus saving hundreds of dollars in expenses.


Different Types


The different types of 10′X14′ storage shed plans you can choose from include a gable roof style plan, a saltbox garden style plan, a barn style plan and so on. These plans would provide you with detailed instructions so that you can make it yourself at a fraction of the cost which you would have to pay, if you had it built by a contractor.


Check Building Codes


Before you start the construction of your 10′X14′ storage shed with the help of plans, you should check the building codes. It is better to do this at first because it can prevent a lot of headaches later on. If a permit is required, you would have to submit your plans to get it. You may also require an approval from your neighborhood association. It is also better to keep your neighbor in the loop regarding your intentions.


Choosing Plans


It is better to choose plans for your 10′X14′ shed which complements the design of your house. They should provide instructions on building shelves, work benches and ramps. You should also check to see that there is provision to build windows and skylights. The plans should also come with a detailed materials list and a cut chart.


Dial Before You Dig


By calling up your electricity, water and phone providers and finding out the location of their lines, you can avoid accidentally damaging any of them. This is a small precaution which should be done before you start the work.


Choosing Location


The location you choose for the construction should not get water logged easily. It has to be on solid and level ground. If there is a height variation, the area should be leveled with wood or brick support posts.


Base and Roof


Whichever location you choose for your construction, you would still have to protect it against the elements. The base of your 10′X14′ storage shelter is in constant contact with the ground, and needs to be treated so as to prevent rot. The roof, too, deserves a similar consideration. It should be slightly slanted so that water can easily run off.


Materials Used


Wood is the most widely used material for constructing a 10′X14′ storage shelter. Vinyl or metal is also sometimes used. However wood is the most stylish and you can choose from numerous styles and designs.


Anticipate Future Requirements


When building a shed, you should also anticipate any possible future uses for it. You may want to turn it into a playhouse for your children, or may be expecting an addition to your family. If you allow for these, you can plan the building of the storage shed accordingly.


Safety Precautions


It is best to use power tools while working on your 10′X14′ storage shed, as this will greatly ease the process. However, these have to be handled with care. Proper safety precautions like wearing goggles and ear plugs should be observed whenever using power tools.


Once you have completed the work of building your 10′X14′ storage shed, you can be truly proud of your achievement. You may even motivate some of your friends and neighbors to embark on a similar project.

For plans which provide you with everything you need to make a 10′X14′ storage shed of your own, visit http://allin1woodworkingplans.com/. This site provides details of innumerous other woodworking projects also.

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Jan 04 2010

Small House Plans – Affordable Home Ownership

Don’t let the economy hold you back. Every cycle comes full circle. Home building activity and values will rebound. Do you want to wait until that time or are you eager to make things happen?

You Could Build Now

I believe that now is a good time to take advantage of lower materials prices, low cost financing, and cheaper labor. If you really want to make that home building dream come true, there may not be a time like this for many, many years to come. And if you really want to do it as cheaply as possible, start with a small and simple house plan.

What to Look for in a Small House Plan

Size matters. Smaller homes are less expensive to build, maintain, heat or cool, and repair. And, they are easier on the environment … especially if you make it energy efficient and use products that are manufactured according to earth friendly standards.

To achieve the maximum affordability, pick a design with a simple foundation and roofline. These will take less time, fewer materials, and reduced labor to build. Also, it’s generally less expensive to build “up”, rather than “out”, so a second story will typically cost less than if you had to add more foundation and roofline to get your needed space.

Building a Small Home

I’ll start with one caution. Never build a home that is not sufficient to your needs. Don’t build a home that you’ll be cramped and uncomfortable in. That defeats the purpose of building.

That being said, small homes offer many advantages to the homeowner and the owner builder. And, if the small size and smaller budget make home building possible for you, all the better!

Top Small House Building Advantages

  • Cheap to Build: One of the reasons it’s cheaper is because it’s much less complicated
  • Quick to Build: A big reason for being cheaper is that they are quicker to build.
  • Buy plans cheaply or hire an architect for a smaller fee: Consider house plans that have already been built and tested. This will preclude most problems.
  • Small home building favors the do-it-yourselfer: Your own labor with the help of friends and lower-cost professionals can save big.

House plans that have been built many times have often been refined to work out the construction bugs. Using this approach is wise, especially when working with a kit home company and building a packaged home.The Joy of Using a Home Building Coach

My clients know that the home building coach is indispensable. Small home or big, the homebuilding process is complicated. Detailed organization and knowledge of the building process are crucial to a great experience. And, I believe that home building should be a great experience that is enjoyed to the fullest.

A home building coach can help with choosing plans, selecting building materials, working with designers and builders, and orchestrating your project.

Work with a home building coach and save money, get more of what you want, and keep the stress to a minimum.

You can learn so much more about home building and remodeling online. One great option is to take advantage of a very informative yet simple to follow *free* e-course that you can find by clicking here http://www.DreamHomeCreation.com You will also find other tips and tools, surveys, videos, and additional articles by Mel Inglima.

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Jan 03 2010

The Important Questions You Should Ask Before Building a Fence

Getting a fence built correctly can take a little bit of pre-planning as well as doing some serious research yourself or hiring a good skilled professional. It can be quite a bit harder than one might expect and it does need to be handled in the right way so that your new fence doesn’t fall into your neighbor’s pool! The Joneses next door might be upset to wake up to your new fence in their new pool.

1. Why a Fence?

You want a fence! While “why” you want a fence might be obvious, a good contractor will ask you this question. Knowing why you want a fence is important in choosing what type of fence and material will be best, the height of construction, placement of the fence, and the locations and types of gates.

A fence can be built to keep something in, keep something or someone out, reduce noise, block an unwanted view, or to add aesthetics. There are safety factors to consider in the material, construction, and height of the fence. For example:

If the fence is four foot high with a dog chained nearby it may be possible for the dog to jump. The dog could be injured and jumping while chained could even be fatal. Gates and locks will be a consideration when building a fence meant to keep children out of a swimming pool. In a high crime area, a fence built for protection can instead increase risk; if the fence blocks the view of neighbors or the public, criminals often feel safe to operate there.

2. Where?

While the grass might be greener on the other side of the fence, you don’t want that to be your grass over there! Nor do you want to find out after all the construction is done, your fence is not yours at all, but on someone else’s property.

Fences probably cause more neighbor disputes than any other interaction. While you might have every right to build a fence, running your plan by your neighbors might save you some headaches. Whether you talk to them or not make you sure you know where your fence is going to be built.

Either:
- find the property stakes that mark the boundaries
- get a copy of your survey and measure your property
- have a survey performed

Check and double check and make sure the fence lines are clearly marked for your contractor.

3. What’s Up… and Down?

The majority of fences are fastened by some kind of post that will go under the ground. Many posts are placed in holes filled with concrete. The depth of the holes should be based on the height of the anchors or posts, the type of fence, and the area’s seasonable weather. 18″ to 24″ are common depths. If your fence will need any digging some areas may need to phone to check for underground utilities. These services will use spray paint to mark where cables and such are buried. An advance notice of a few days to sometimes several weeks before your project begins is required. The paint will generally last several weeks.

It may be a good idea to do a search with a metal detector. These can pick up old pipelines, buried objects from past demolitions, and other obstructions that could cause delays. In any case, when you hire a contractor make sure the preliminary work is done and understand who is going to be responsible for getting the property marked. Get that agreement in writing on your contract.

Ensure that you study the opposite direction of the ground too – up! Trees with low branches on your property (or your neighbors) might need to be trimmed before your fence can be built. Some might even be right in your fence line and need to be removed. Tree roots can also be a headache for the contractor and should be considered.

4. Is My Fence Legal?

Find out if your fence will be legal before you build. The majority of municipalities have laws about fences. These laws commonly include:
- What kinds of fences are allowed
- Height restrictions
- Permits required
- Plans be submitted

Check with your local government for more information.

5. How Will My Fence Get There?

Fence materials can often be heavy and delivered by large trucks. A lot of fences are located in areas that are difficult to access. Discuss with your contractor the best way to get the materials delivered. They might need to cross your neighbors’ property to get to you. Hopefully by now you have become good friends with them!

I found it really easy to find local fence contractors at Home Services Engine. It’s an easy site to use and it makes it quick and painless to find truly local businesses. So, if you’re looking for a local fence contractor, go to http://www.homeservicesengine.com/fence_contractors/.

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Jan 02 2010

An Architectural Blueprint – How to Read House Plans

Maybe you’re looking for a job in a real estate office or as an assistant with a construction company. Or it could be that you have taken a job at a local builders supply and will be doing material take off’s. These are just a few of the jobs where you need to have a familiarity with construction drawings. Facts are though, I’m not going to be able to tell you in just one article how to read a set of house plans. There is way too much to consider. What I can do is give you a basic overview to give you a head start.

The Floor Plan:

Imagine if you will, having a house and cutting into it horizontally with a knife. Once this is done, you are able to see the interior rooms or layout of the home. That’s what the floor plan is. On a floor plan you have strings of dimensions that define the locations of the porches, decks, walls, windows, doors, etc. You will also have door and window sizes, floor coverings, ceiling heights and types, water heater, washer and dryer locations listed. Almost always included on the floor plan is a kitchen layout showing cabinet sizes and location. Bathrooms cabinets should be defined there too.

The Foundation or Basement Plan:

Same as the floor plan this is a view that is made by the same type of cut. Here you will find wall sizes and types, floor support posts or piers, floor support types such as trusses or joists, slab thickness, footing sizes, and wall openings that should all be defined by dimensions.

Electrical Plan:

Many designers and drafters include the electrical plan on the floor plan and some don’t. What you will find on this plan is outlet locations, light fixture types and locations, smoke detectors, door bell, meter base and circuit panel.

Exterior Elevations:

These are the views of the house from the front, left, rear, right, and roof. This drawing usually defines exterior finishes, shutters, pediments, trim types, roof shingle materials, grade levels (where the exterior ground level meets the house), railing types and locations, etc. It should also include roof pitches which is defined by 12 inches horizontal X however many inches vertical to define the angle of the roof.

Sectional Details:

This drawing is also a knife cut illustration only on a vertical plane which shows things like insulation “R” factors, stud and header sizes, floor truss or joist sizes and spacing, floor and roof decking sizes, etc.

H.V.A.C. and Plumbing Plans:

These show the duct work and pipe locations along with pipe size for hot and cold water, and the fixtures and fitting types.

Tim Davis is an Architectural Designer with over 20 years experience in his field. He teaches Architectural Blueprint Reading classes at http://blueprints.8m.com and Architectural Drafting at http://houseplandrafting101.com

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Oct 12 2009

Building Construction Software – Making it Easy For Estimators to Produce Cost Projections

A building construction software program has become one of the most important tools in the construction profession. These programs have made it easier for estimators to produce cost projections; for architects to develop a building design; for contractors to plan for building codes and other legal concerns; and for the homeowner or building owner to get an idea of what the project would entail in terms of costs, time and compliance.

Types of software

A construction project is made up of various steps, so it is to be expected that software packages for this profession will be numerous and varied. One of the more widely-used types is the computer-aided design or CAD software that is used mostly by architects and engineers. These types of programs are used for creating building plans and drawings and allow the designer or architect to have a three-dimensional perception of the project at hand.

Software programs for estimating construction costs are another of the more commonly used packages in the building trade. Programs for estimating building costs allow the user to produce expense approximates, employee and equipment scheduling plans, contractor bids, project reports and other elements of the project that have something to do with costs. These software packages can be purchased, but there are also those that are available for free in the Internet. However, free programs are mainly basic in terms of functions and can only provide rough estimates.

There are also programs for accounting, which help in keeping tabs of the costs of the project and provide bookkeeping information; software for environment and energy compliance concerns; programs for project contracts; and software packages that guide the owner and the builder through building codes and legal issues associated with a construction project.

What to look for in a software program

For those who are not very familiar with using CAD or other building trade software packages, it is important to choose the ones that are easy to use and can provide information that is not too muddled with unnecessary jargon. In buying software for a building project, look for brands that provide specific information about costs, plans and designs. The various screens should also be easy to understand, which means that they provide detailed information in the simplest language possible. The steps that it would take for a software user to perform basic actions should also be considered – the fewer, the better.

Building construction software products have revolutionized the architecture and construction industry. Whether you’re a home owner or a builder or an architect, getting yourself familiar with these modern tools will go a long way towards helping you have a successful building project or a well-designed, within-the-budget home.

Read more information about Construction Estimating Programs and assessing construction costs of projects at http://www.construction–estimating.com

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Oct 11 2009

Is Lumber Considered Green

When the subject of lumber is renewable, recyclable and sustainable come up in conversations surrounding green products many have differing opinions. For decades the lumber industry has been bashed for bad practices in managing our environment. Yes in the past there have been some bad practices but in the United States our forests are managed in ways they many don’t even understand. When some talk about the lumber industry they portray companies that are eliminating the forests. That is just not the case. Let’s look at the nature life cycle of a forest if humans never stepped foot inside. Trees grow and drop seeds and more trees grow. The forest continues overtime to thicken and the large trees kill out the smaller trees creating dead down fall. Over years some of this down fall decays and returns to the earth. This process continues to create overgrown forests and more dry trees.

Fire is eventually the remedy that cleanses the forest and starts the process all over. Nature causes such as beetles can kill off a complete forest and again fire is the remedy to restore the forest. A well managed forest can be looked at similar the life cycle just described, cleaning out the old to allow for the smaller new trees to flourish. Creating a continuing life cycle of usable products that can be recycled that is not harmful or toxic in any way. Many claim that steel studs are greener than wood studs. If the life cycle of a steel stud versus the life cycle of a wood stud is compared, lumber is far greener than steel. It takes more energy to create a steel stud and the renewable factors of wood are far better. Yes steel can be recycled but with the use of far more energy. Ore comes from the ground and is not renewable like growing a tree. Not all lumber companies manage the forests like they should. The same as all car companies don’t produce fuel efficient cars. So finding a certified green dealer is important if you want to make sure your wood products are considered green. The two leading wood certification programs in the US are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative). USGBC only recognizes FSC while NAHB National Green Building Standards recognizes both. So from this is wood “Green and Sustainable”? You decide.

Read more about Green vs Sustainable at http://www.squidoo.com/green-vs-sustainable

From http://www.squidoo.com/green-vs-sustainable
by Steve Feller

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Oct 10 2009

Build Quality Double Garage Doors Into Your New Home

Most new homes are designed to incorporate double garage doors in their construction. In many cases contractors and builders will install contractor grade garage doors to save money and reduce the cost to the homeowner. A double garage door is designed to close a 16 foot wide hole in your home. Choosing a cheap door is probably not a very good decision. Using garage door pricing to judge the quality of a garage door does to some degree make sense.

Deciding what garage door you will need will depend on where you live and what weather conditions your home will have to endure. If you live in an area that has long cold winters with heavy snow then you should be looking for a double garage door with a high R-value and that is relatively maintenance free. We suggest you look for a steel garage door that is constructed using at least two sheets of at least 25 gauge steel with 2 inches of polyurethane foam sandwich in between. In most cases a door of this quality will allow you to heat or cool your garage without breaking the bank. A well insulated garage will allow you to climb into your warm vehicle on the coldest morning. In addition you will be able to use your garage based workshop year around. Many people are interested in double garage doors that are constructed of wood. Wooden garage doors are very beautiful to look at and depending on the type of panel construction will be very secure. Double garage doors constructed entirely of wood are possible but do not have the strength and durability of a steel frame panel garage door.

However, you can achieve all the beauty of a wood door by using a steel framed door that has plywood face that is over laid with Cedar, Hemlock or Oak. This type of door also gives you the option of using polystyrene or polyurethane insulation to provide energy efficiency. Wooden garage doors will require a regular routine of intensive maintenance that includes staining and/or painting. In terms of long term garage doors cost a wood garage door can be expensive.

Double garage doors do pose additional problems if you live in areas that are considered high wind risk. If you live in Florida or one of other Gulf Coast States you probably should consider purchasing a high wind door that meets the Miami-Dade wind codes. Research following Hurricane Andrew shows that once you lose your garage door especially if it is a double garage door you will lose the roof of your home. A quality high wind double garage door will withstand the force of 140 mile per hour plus winds. A properly installed garage door will make the difference between losing shingles and losing your entire home.

The bottom line is when building a new home it really is penny wise and pound foolish to purchase and install a relatively inexpensive garage door. A quality double garage door will make your home more secure and energy efficient.

James Kesel, MS, is the publisher of the Garage Doors Pricing Website located at http://www.garagedoorspricing.com – Providing information on double garage doors and the purchasing, installing and operation of a garage door.

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Jul 20 2009

Elements and Examples of Beam Design

The elements of beam design is a topic of great interest for structural engineers and contractors. Beam design is integral in the design and construction of a structure. Most structural beams are comprised of wood, steel or concrete. Each of these construction materials reacts differently under the stress of a load. Each also has its own unique advantages.

Elements and Examples of Beam Design: Concrete Beams

Concrete beams are most often seen in commercial construction, such as in the erection of multi-level parking decks, hospitals, and large hotels. Concrete beams are also commonly used as bridge and highway supports. Some concrete beams are used in conjunction with steel beams to provide added strength. Newer concrete beams may also contain a hybrid material of traditional concrete mixed with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) or Carbon FRP.

Concrete is a strong building material, but it is susceptible to water damage and cracking. Iron bars are often included in the beams to add strength and stability over areas prone to greater stress. Concrete beams area also desirable for their ability to absorb sound and vibration.

Elements and Examples of Beam Design: Steel Beams

One very common type of steel beam is the I-beam. These I shaped beam are strong and moderately affordable. Steel beams are capable of supporting heavy loads without experiencing great amounts of deflection by distributing the load of the structure over the flange of the beam. Steel beams may be treated to prohibit corrosion and oxidation, especially when used near or under water, such as in bridge construction.

Elements and Examples of Beam Design: Wood Beams

Wood beams are common in residential structures. Wood beams may be notched or jointed together for added strength. Wood beams are inexpensive and easy to alter to a builder’s specifications. However, they are also susceptible to rot and insect infestation. Specially treated wood beams are now available that resist decomposition, moisture and insects, making them an attractive choice in beam materials for most homeowners.

Elements and Examples of Beam Design: Flitch Beams

Flitch beams are specially constructed beams that join a steel plate with adjacent wood panels to form one composite structural beam. These flitch beams are strong, yet less expensive and lighter than solid steel beams. The construction of a flitch beam results in a reduction of the overall size of the beam, and the wooden exterior also allows the builder to nail the beam to other existing wooden structures in the home.

Elements and examples of beam designs are plentiful. Beam design and selection are an important part of the construction process and the wide variety of beams to choose from allow a builder to meet the needs of each project more easily.

Josh Parker is a staff writer for Strucalc – Stuctural Analysis Software Company. StruCalc is one of the most intuitive structural analysis and design programs available. With structural analysis software, you can Quickly size beams, columns, and footings with StruCalc 7.0 Software. Strucalc offers quality, professional software, built with strict engineering methods and specifications to every business in need of an easy to use, affordable software package.

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Jul 19 2009

Custom Homes 101 – A Buyer’s Guide to Success

So you have decided to turn your dream home into a reality, and you are looking for a custom home builder to make it happen. In that case, congratulations are in order. Moving up to that kind of property is an exciting step.

But it also requires more homework than when buying a more traditional home. You must do more research and consider more things when having a custom home built from the ground up. There are three primary reasons for this:

1. For obvious reasons, there is usually more money on the line with these types of properties.
2. Building a customized home takes longer and requires more input from you.
3. The word “custom” means different things to different builders, so the process can vary quite a bit.

More Builders Today Than 10 Years Ago

One bit of good news for buyers is that there are many more custom builders today than there were just a few years ago. The reason for this can be summed up with one word — demand. The consumer demand for these types of houses has risen steeply over the past couple of decades. And anytime demand for a certain product rises, there will be more providers looking to get in on the action. To an extent, this has been the case with custom builders.

Of course, this has a down-side to it as well. For one thing, it means you’ll have to do more homework when screening builders for your project. In a major metropolitan city, for example, you could realistically have ten or more to choose from.

On top of this, there are also builders entering the custom market who lack experience at that level. Though they are the exception to the rule (a case of bad apples spoiling the bunch), they pose a risk nonetheless. You’ve probably seen one of these stories on the news in the past, where a project got abandoned halfway through, the buyers had to sue, etc.

The good news, as I’ve said, is that most custom builders are very good at what they do and take great pride in their work. In addition, it’s fairly easy to avoid the “shady” characters within this particular industry. With a little homework, you can find out which builders in town have the best reputations, and which ones have the worst. The Internet makes this kind of research even easier. Google is your friend during this process!

What Does “Custom” Mean to the Builder?

This is another topic worth addressing. Many consumers don’t realize that any licensed building firm can refer to itself as a custom builder. There is no special certification to create those kinds of homes. So many who enter the field may have general construction experience, but a lack of experience customizing floor plans and properties.

And while we are on the topic, what exactly does the word “custom” mean to the builder anyway? Here again, the standards are loose. Is it the same as a luxury home? And what the heck does semi-custom mean?

Here’s an easy way to look at it. A truly custom builder can create a one-of-a-kind home for you. They can either design it from scratch, or work from plans created by an architect. Either way, the end product is the same — a house that is built for you, from the floor to the ceiling.

On the other hand, some homes labeled as “custom” do not live up to that label. If it starts with a common floor plan and merely adds on a few customizable options here and there, it does not deserve the label. Sure, it may be luxurious, and you might be able to provide some input on certain features. But if it’s built from a common floor plan, then it’s not a one-of-a-kind custom home. Keep this in mind when choosing a building firm to work with.

Three Important Questions to Ask

And while we are talking about choosing builders, let’s address some of the questions you should ask along the way. When you consider the amount of time, money and energy that go into these projects, it becomes clear why should ask the right questions in advance. Here are a few good ones to start with.

1. How many homes do you build each year?

This will give you insight into the company’s experience, as well as their completion rate. Do they start more projects than they finish, or do they complete all projects within a reasonable time frame?

2. Have you ever operated under a different name?

Some people feel like they are being too nosy when asking a question like this, but it’s a perfectly fair question to ask. Remember the “bad apples” we talked about earlier? Many of them will simply open up under a new company name, if their reputation gets bad enough. You need to know this information when doing your Internet research.

3. Can I speak to some of your past clients?

Sure, their brochure says they are one of the best builders around. But that’s just marketing language. Other companies will say the same thing. The best way to get an honest assessment of the builder’s service and quality is by speaking with some of their past clients. Most reputable builders will have a list of references prepared in advance, because (A) they know you will ask for it and (B) they are proud to show it off. If they can’t give you any names … it’s a red flag.

Brandon Cornett is the publisher of the Home Buying Institute, which has recently launched a new service to help buyers find talented custom home builders in the same city. To learn more about this subject, please visit http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com/custom.

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Jul 18 2009

Structural Framing Beams

Let’s start with the beams. They can be Glulam, Parallam, Microlam or even wood beams. What are all of these and why do I need them in my house. The beams are used to hold up parts of the house and are located in your walls, roofs and floors. Beams are used to transfer a load from one point to another.

Structural framing beams allow the architect to create large openings, floors and roofs in your house. The beams are also used to support the weight over the doors, windows and other openings in your home. These beams support massive amounts of weight in some cases and are even made of steel if needed.

Another growing problem is the lack of old growth trees in the forest. If we just used wood beams with out using the new engineered beams we would have to cut down a lot more of the bigger trees. So you can add these guys to your Christmas list. The lumber or wood engineers have come up with all sorts of alternatives for new building products. These new beams are just some of them. Keep up the good work guys…

Glulam is a engineered wood product comprised of wood laminations, or 2 x 4s that are bonded together with strong, waterproof adhesives. If you use a Glulam beam on the buildings exterior you will have to order a exterior Glulam beam. In this case the manufacture will use special exterior rated glues for the beam.

When ordering any wood engineered beams specify to the lumber yard what you are using the beam for. Exterior or Interior of the building. If you use a interior glulam over time there is a good chance of the beam delaminating or cracking apart.

Parallam is made from almost all of the wood on the log using veneer strands that are aligned parallel for maximum strength. The end product is a rectangular beam; which is longer, thicker, and stronger than solid-sawn lumber. They are often used as beams, headers, columns, and posts, among others uses.

Microllam is an engineered wood product that uses multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives. It offers several advantages over typical milled lumber: it is stronger, straighter, and more uniform. It is much less likely than conventional lumber to warp, twist, bow, or shrink due to its composite nature. Made in a factory under controlled specifications, Microllam products allow users to reduce the onsite labor. They are typically used for headers, beams, rim board, and edge-forming material.

These beams come in all sorts of different lengths, widths and heights. They are engineered to hold amazing amounts of weight. They really are great engineering marvels.

Tip: I have had to replace almost all of these types of beams over the years due to some form of damage. Like anything else in your home if it is used improperly there is a good chance your are going to have some sort of failure. I have seen people add weight to these structural beams with no thought of them ever failing.

If you are planning on building a room addition, rebuilding your roof, adding a floor or any other type of construction where you are adding a addition load to your house. You might want to consult with a building contractor or structural engineer.

Thanks Greg For Another Super Article On Home Building. For more great articles visit Greg at http://gregvan.com/

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry. Causes of Structural Failure

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