Water that enters and becomes trapped inside a wood-framed wall can cause mold and rot, leading to long-term structural damage. Unfortunately, window and door openings provide big targets for water intrusion, and mistakes can be costly. So what’s the solution? … Read More
Meet Rodney and Patrick, from FM Home Builders. These two did the vast majority of work reframing my home. Rodney has been framing for decades in Alaska, and has built or repaired many homes in my neighborhood. His insight into … Read More
Very happy to announce that my home is now completely reframed. Most of the work was completed over the winter but we finished up a few tasks this spring. This time around the cuts are tight, nailing is correct, and … Read More
One of the deepest philosophical divides I’ve noticed in the building community is between what I’d call the “craftsman approach” and the “building science approach.” Both are intended to result in high-quality structures, but the gulf between these schools of … Read More
While rebuilding the house it was important to me that we reuse as many materials as possible from the first framing attempt. Unfortunately, the vast majority of studs and sheathing could not be salvaged because it was damaged from the … Read More
Progress on the house was relatively slow during the latter half of the winter. Most activity at the project site happened in bursts, often separated by long periods of unavoidable but occasionally frustrating inactivity. One piece of advice I would … Read More
In mid-January the EPDM roofing was installed, topping off the whole roof assembly. Getting the roof finished and protected from the elements before any weather could hit was an enormous relief. Many houses use asphalt shingles or metal roofing, but … Read More
Roofs can be separated into two categories: cold roofs and warm roofs. Some roof designs blur the lines between these two types, and the terms only make literal sense in northern climates, where interior spaces are heated and exterior air … Read More
After over a year spent framing and reframing, we finally reached the very top of the roof. The upper sheathing was fastened with a thousand 12″ screws and large galvanized washers. I’m not gonna lie: buying the screws gave me … Read More
