Engineered Wood I-Joists as Tension Members
Engineering wood I-joists (TJI, BCI, AJS, etc…) are a popular choice for floor framing members in wood-frame construction, and we like them for the same reason others do: they are… Read More »
Unbalanced Snow Loads
When roofs are pitched (i.e. angled), the snow collects differently than it does on flat roofs. Unbalanced snow loads occur on pitched (most commonly gable) roofs, and the building code… Read More »
Common Renovation Setbacks
When looking at renovations, we often get lost in the more exciting design process and the “what could be” result. The journey to the end goal, however, is often rough… Read More »
Life during a renovation
You may have heard horror stories or know of someone who had a bad experience during a home remodel or upgrade. While it is a reality that life will not… Read More »
Handrail vs Guardrail
When describing a railing system, words often get thrown around that are very generic and often confused with one another. Two we often hear about are guardrails vs handrails. What… Read More »
Evidence of a Sagging Floor
A common concern we receive from owners of older homes is a sagging/sinking floor. Sagging floors can occur for several reasons and might be scary for homeowners, but a qualified… Read More »
Loads on a Building
Structural engineers design buildings to withstand loads of all types. The building’s frame must be designed to withstand a combination of all those loads with some being more present than… Read More »
Steel Corrosion from Vehicles
Take a look at this metal deck and open web steel joist floor structure. As you can see, the metal deck and the open web steel joists are severely corroded. If… Read More »
Load Bearing Walls Beat LVL Beams
We have had the pleasure of working with Chuck Wood of Colonial Builders recently. He is leading spectacular renovations of a few old buildings in Concord. Each time I visit… Read More »
Interlocking Concrete Block Retaining Walls
Whether you are looking for a lower cost retaining wall to enhance your yard or to support your driveway, the Interlocking Concrete Block (ICB) (a.k.a. segmental concrete block) retaining wall… Read More »