Blocking is a small but vital part of any construction project, whether it’s a home or a commercial building. Blocking can play many roles that vary from something as important as structural stability or as minor as making art easier to hang on a wall. What is blocking in construction? Blocking refers to a piece …
When it comes to construction projects, using cost per square foot is one of the most commonly used ways to estimate the cost of the work. It’s a simple way to compare costs across different projects or to “ballpark” expenses. However, it’s important to understand where the limitations of this approach are. In this article, …
Wood has been used to create shelter for nearly as long as humans have walked the earth. Fast forward to the 19th century and the creation of wood mills. This allowed for the accurate production of standard lumber sizes for commercial sales, leading to the lumber industry as we know it today. Nominal vs Actual …
The gypsum board is hung and in place; now what? It’s now time to finish the walls. In other words, you’ll need to cover the seams between the panels and screw heads to prep the surface for painting. To do this, you’ll use a process known as taping and floating. So, get your putty knife, …
Drawing layers are the primary way CAD software organizes graphic information and controls that information’s visibility. With layers, drafting is easier because different layers can be identified with different colors. Line weights can be associated with layers in order to help printed drawings to read better. Layers can be turned off or on to overlay …
When referencing walls, “finished” can mean a lot of different things under different circumstances. To avoid confusion and streamline communication across the board between architects, designers, and contractors, a standard scale for drywall finishes was created. Each level of finish on the list means something different and has a different intention or use. We’ll be …
What Are The Different Types of Drywall Finish Levels? Read More »
If you’ve ever wandered through the paint aisle at any big box store, you may have found yourself completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of paint formulations available. How do you know which is best suited to your project? This is of particular concern when deciding between latex or acrylic paint. I know that it …
Acrylic vs. Latex Paint: Which is Right for Your Project? Read More »
Whether you’re waiting to sand or getting ready to paint, waiting the appropriate amount of time for drywall mud (aka joint compound) to dry is essential to getting the best results.
You can use this chart to convert imperial (US) units to metric units. Multiply the imperial value by the conversion factor to get the metric value. (Imperial Units) X (Conversion Factor) = Metric Units Source: Architectural Graphic Standards
Whether you’re determining the dead load to engineer the structural members of a floor, or just trying to satisfy your curiosity, here is a table of common construction materials and their associated weight. PSF = Pounds per square footPCF = Pounds per cubic foot Source: Architectural Graphic Standards
