Concrete Block vs Engineered Wood Frame

Today homes are built using at least two engineering techniques: engineered wood frame construction and concrete block construction. This has no thing to do with the story of the three pigs, you remember the story? 

Where the wolf goes and tries to blow away the home of the the three little pigs but fails to blow away the brick house? Well bricks aren't a really good material for building a home. But let's go back to the two main types we were talking about before.

1) Engineered Wood From Construction - this type of construction method build exterior walls with lumber of 2x4 or 2x6. This lumber is then spaced between twelve to 16 inches. This is determined by the local building requirement bodes. The wall sits on a preassure treated 2x4 on top of weather barrier that in turn sits down on the concrete slab itself. 

2) The second type of construction known as block construction, or CMU, consists of cement blocks made from a mod in a factory. The measures of the cement blocks are usually 8 x 8 x 16. The concrete blocks are then layered one on top of another block. 

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Now, each of these two methods have both positives and negatives: Concrete blocks offer better sound proofing and are also more resistant during a hurricane. Also, CMU offers better termite control and can be less expensive on the smaller scale of things. However, concrete block can be most costlier on larger homes and are not as energy efficient as a wood framed home.

Wood frame homes are much more efficient since they allow for cavities for insulation. Also, wood framed houses allow for a variety of designs.

Home Insulation

Home insulation has many benefits. For instance, insulation can improve energy efficiency in a cost effective way. Furthermore, home insulation improves comfort, provides a healthier environment, provides sound control, helps lower energy bills, provides value to your home. 

But, what exactly is home insulation? Home insulation is a general term that is used to describe products that can help reduce heat loss or heat gain. This is accomplished through providing a barrier between area that are considerably different in temperature, such as the inside of the house and the outside of the house. However, thermal insulation is also used in relation to hot water pipes and boilers. Indeed, insulation helps reduce the amount of heat that escapes from the building thus helping save money.

So what insulation is made out? Insulation is usually made of glass or rock that has been melted down and spun into fine strands of. But in general, insulation is made out of four main types:

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1) ROLLS AND BATTS: This type of insulation are blankets that mare made out of mineral fibers, including fiberglass and rock wool. 

2) LOOSE FILL INSULATION: This insulation type is usually made out of rock wool, cellulose, and fiberglass in the form of loose fibers. It is designed to be added in buildings where it is difficult to effectively install other types of insulation.

3) FOAM IN PLACE INSULATION: This type of insulation can be blown into walls, attic surfaces.  It can also be used in floors to reduce air leakage.

4) RIGID FOAM INSULATION:  This form of insulation is usually more expensive than rolls and batts but it is very good for exterior wall sheathing.

However, there are some disadvantages with insulation, including the fact that there are some insulation materials that pose health risks, such asbestos. In addition, fiberglass can also cause allergic reactions.

Remember to research your options carefully and to do your best to reduce heat loss in your home, which will help you save money. 

Types of Carpet

You are trying to add a new look to your house. There are many different projects you can embark on, from painting the walls, to remodeling the kitchen, the bathrooms, among an infinity of other options. You can also change the look and feel of your home by making a change on the flooring. One of such floor types is carpeting. Here we seek to learn more about different types of carpet and which one will be the right one for you.

The first type of carpeting we will analyze in this article is the cut pile, which is one of the most popular types of carpeting today. The cut pile carpeting type has a very high durability. It uses a very resistant type of fiber, but also the density of the tufts and the amount of twist in the yarn make it more durable. When a yearn is heavily twisted, this helps to hold the shape for a longer period of time. So, for what areas should you use cut pile carpet? Now, there are several styles. There are textured plush, saxony, frieze, plush. Depending on the style, each type of cut pile carpet can help prove a more refined surface or can be more versatile for decoration.

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The second type of carpet style is the level loop pile, in which all the carpet loops are about the same height. This style can also last a long time in high traffic areas but can also add an informal look.

The third type of carpet style is the cut and loop pile, which is a combination of cut and loop yarns. This style of carpet helps is used to create more decorative looks.

The fourth type of carpet style is one that features from two to three different loop heights. This style is used a lot in houses and living rooms and provides good durability and more casual look. 

In addition to the different types of carpet styles, there are also different types of carpet fibets, including Nylon, olefin, polyester, triexta, and wool. With nylon, you can create a variety of color schemes. Olefin features the ability to resist water stains and is resistant to static electricity. 

Without a doubt, there is a variety of carpet styles for each preference. 

How to Install Carpeting

Installing carpet may seem like a challenging and daunting task, especially if you have never installed carpet before in your life. Where do you start? How to measure? It would seem that for a moment you have forgotten all you knew about high school math and measurements. However, in reality installing carpeting doesn't require much special skill. It does however require having the right tools and taking time to do the right preparation and care. 

What tools will you be needing them? Well, there are a couple of tools that you will need, including a measuring tape, a hammer, a nail set, a screwdriver, a putty knife, a vacuum cleaner, work gloves, tack hammer, small handsaw, heavy scissors, staple gun, utility knife, paintbrush. Further more, you will also need some materials, including wood putty, flooring nails, graph paper, latex, vinyl foam carpet padding, foam padding adhesive, heavy-duty and staples. 

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The first step to installing carpet is doing the right amount of preparation. This requires calculating how much carpeting you will be needing. To do this, make sure your measurements are exact. Also, draw a floor plan on graph paper and mark the position of doors, windows, and other structural features. 

After you have the layout ready, the next step is to take it to the carpet dealer. With him you can analyze everything so you can take full advantage of the carpeting. When your carpeting is ready to go, then it is time to prepare the floor. This includes moving all furniture in the room, fixing all nails that are loose and and all floorboards that are not set right. 

After all the fastener strips have been nailed into place, then you can take the carpeting and put it into position. You will then unroll it and roll it across the room. Then you can butt the edges of the strips of padding and stape every 6 inches along every edge. Then you can trim the padding. 

Indeed, installing a carpet requires careful planning to move the project faster and to save material and money. But it is definitely possible for everyone.

Earthquakes and your Home

Earthquakes, we hear about them each year, causing terrible distress all over the world. From buildings to small houses, earthquakes can leave incredible damage wherever they hit. Why does this happen? What makes a building or structure fail in earthquakes? Also, what strategies are out there to make a building earthquake resistant? 


What is an earthquake? Well, to understand what earthquake is it is first important to know how the earth is composed. Deep in the inside, the earth has a soft center, made out of molten rock and iron. On top of that there is a crusty layer that is made out of several lumps that are either separated by faults or pressed together into mountains. 



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These plates, however, are not static. Through a variety of forces they are sliding past each other, bumping into each other, pressing against each other, and all of these movements can cause earthquakes. As these plates jams, there comes a breaking point. After this, a sudden movement may be felt, causing a tremendous amount of energy to be released. 

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Now what makes a building or home fail? All buildings are designed to carry their own weight. They are also designed to carry a bit of snow and other vertical loads. However, many buildings are not designed to resist side to side loads. When the engineers have not taken into consideration side to side loads, there is high risk that when an earthquake comes about, the series of waves can make the building wave, each time with more energy, until there is structural failure.

One common factor that contributes to a building's failure during earthquakes has to do with adding more weight to a building that has not been strengthen to take on that additional weight. It is also then important to reinforce a building's structure to make sure that it will resist the movements from an earthquake.

So how can a building be made made more resistant to earthquakes? The first thing to make a building resistant to earthquakes is to work on the foundations. These need to be built with earthquakes in mind. In other words, they have to be build so that they can be resistant to sideways loads. Walls have also to be made to be tied to the framing and reinforced to take load in their weakest direction.

Without a doubt, earthquakes can leave immeasurable damage. The answer then rests on thinking ahead and designing buildings with strong foundations that are earthquake proof.

How to Fix a Running Toilet

Nothing sounds worse than a running toilet. It can be an expensive problem, causing water to run needlessly day after day, minute after minute. Fortunately the fix is often not too expensive. 

There are several steps you should undertake to address a running toilet. Here are a few precautions to review when looking at a running toilet. 

· Push the flapper down, and listen to see if the water stops. If this does happen then the problem is with the flapper. You need to replace it so that it seals properly. You can also cut the fill tube length back to solve the problem. 

· Flush the toilet. See if the fill valve has a leak. If this is a problem, you can determine by lifting up the float arm when the tank fills and see when the water stops. If the tank stops when filling water is ½ to 1 inch below the top of the overflow pipe, you are ok. But if the water still leaks, it will need to be replaced.

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To install a new fill valve you will need to turn off the water flow from the toilet and insert a new fill valve into the tank using the instruction sheets. The locknut will need to be tightened. If the fill valve is secured at its maximum and the overflow is still higher than the critical level then you will have to shorten the overflow using a saw so it sits at 1 inch lower than the critical level mark. 

These steps are important to ensure that the toilet does not leak or overfill when the toilet flushes. Moist hardware stores and other home improvement centers can supply the proper parts for repairing minor toilet problems. You can also look to see if the flapper chain needs to be tightened so there is very little slack on the chain. 

What Floor Styles are More Durable

There are many types of durable flooring. Trying to find the most durable flooring is a tricky question. Concrete floors are very durable, but that may not be the type of flooring that you want. When trying to decide the type of flooring that you want you will have to decide on multiple factors. 

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Marble, tile, laminate… all of these floors are very durable. Hardwood floors are also durable. So when considering floors and their durability you will have to consider other factors as well. Here are some types of floors and considerations to ponder when considering which types of flooring are most durable. 

· Concrete – Concrete floors are durable, and can be stained. They can look nice, and are hard. They are not the best type of floor for everyone however.

· Natural Stone Floors – These floors are beautiful. Terrazzo floors are a good example. They can be expensive to install. Professional installation is required. 

· Tile – This is durable against spills and scratches. However, if you drop a jar or anything glass, you may crack a tile floor. So it is not durable in all instances. 

· Laminate flooring – Laminate is durable in most instances. It is not as durable as stone or concrete. However, it is also far more affordable and comes in many options. 

· Hardwood – These floors will last for many years. However hardwood floors may also scratch. You can sand your floor however, and cover a scratch. It depends on what your personal preferences are.

· Vinyl Flooring – This is one of the cheapest options. The thicker you purchase a vinyl floor, the more durable it will be. The thing about vinyl is because it is so affordable; you can always reinstall, and usually handle an installation yourself without professional installation. This allows you to change the look and feel of your kitchen or other flooring as often as you like.