Construction

Staples or Nails? Choosing the Right Fastener for Wall and Roof Sheathing

by Dean Dalvit, AIA, PE July 12, 2019

We are often asked by contractors if they can substitute framing staples instead of nails for their wall and roof sheathing fasteners. There is no easy universal answer to this question because the location of the project may place it in a high wind or […]

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Structural Wood Framing Connectors from Simpson Strong-Tie and USP

by Jim Houlette, PE May 30, 2019

Simpson or USP?  Each company has a wide range of framing connectors that meets the needs of almost every type of wood connection you can think of.  In addition, each company provides connectors for epoxy bonding, retrofitting, and other various products to create quick structural […]

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Understanding R-Value and Insulation

by evstudio May 30, 2019

This post is provided by Earthcore SIPs. There are many conditions that determine the effectiveness of any building material to provide comfort and energy efficient performance. R-Value is only one of these factors or measurement tools. R-Value is the measure of resistance to heat flow […]

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The Components of Solar Hot Water – Collectors and Circulation

by EVstudio AEP May 30, 2019

In the world of solar hot water there are many names for systems that are identical or do similar things. It is important to know the basics and general components of any system one is working with. Once the basics are understood and mastered then […]

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Quickly Construct Concrete Pad Footings with FASTBAG

by evstudio May 30, 2019

At a recent seminar I attended I was introduced to the Fab-Form product called FASTBAG. This product is brilliantly simple….a textile bag you can fill with concrete and reinforcing bars to take the place of the wood formwork traditionally utilized to construct pad footings. The […]

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Flat Roofing Systems: EPDM vs. Modified Bitumen

by evstudio May 30, 2019

There are a number of flat roofing systems available, some of which include EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), and Modbit (Modified Bitumen).  While each has its advantages and disadvantages, these are two of the more common systems used in residential and commercial applications today. Modified […]

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Terms to Know When Choosing Windows – U-Factor, SHGC & VLT

by EVstudio AEP May 23, 2019

There is more to know about windows than casement, double-hung, Low-E, double or triple pane. While Low-E and the number of panes can give a basic idea on the performance characteristics of a window assembly, it is also good to know a couple other key […]

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Progress Update on Modern Home in the Mountains

by EVstudio AEP May 21, 2019

One of the greatest parts of being an architect or engineer is seeing a building come out of the ground. I recently toured a modern home project of ours which is under construction. This view is from the southwest corner of the home. The main […]

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Open for Business During Construction

by EVstudio AEP May 7, 2019

One of our recently designed projects was recently permitted with no review comments and is now under construction. The project is a remodel of an existing retail center at a very busy intersection. The owner and tenants where very concerned about the impact the remodel […]

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Open During Remodel and Business is Good

by EVstudio AEP May 3, 2019

I drive by this project at least once a week and the parking lot is always packed! There is a constant in and outflow of people into the building. Just a short time ago it looked like this. Now it looks like this: The project […]

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How Much Does it Cost to Build a Home?

by Dean Dalvit, AIA, PE April 19, 2019

We get this question a lot. People who are planning their dream homes often don’t know where to start. A large part of our discussion in our programming meetings centers around how much home you can afford and if your program is in alignment with […]

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And a Column Shalt be Under Thine Beam

by Matt Svoboda, AIA April 19, 2019

One of the most frequently made mistakes in traditional design is the misalignment of a column with regards to the beam or entablature it is supporting.  The face of the beam (on both the inside and the outside) should align with the slenderest part of […]

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