Professional Tips For DIYers

Roofing

• Roofing Terms and Definitions.
  The first step to knowing your way around your roof is to understand its parts and terminology. Click here to familiarize yourself with important terms.
  Source: Owens Corning
• Everything You Want To Know About Installing Roofing.
  Proper installation is essential to roofing system performance. Click here to access complete installation instructions for Owens Corning roofing products. You should also refer to the Roof Safety Guidelines to be sure you are utilizing the proper safety equipment and following safe work practices.
  Source: Owens Corning
• Roof And Attic Ventilation.
  Normal household activities can wreak havoc on a roof and attic if proper roof ventilation is not provided. Click here to see how you can combat this potential problem in your home.
  Source: Owens Corning
• How Many Shingles Do I Need?
  In order to estimate how many shingles you'll need, first you need to estimate the total square footage of your roof's surface. Click here to read on and learn how to do this calculation on your own.
  Source: Owens Corning

Home

• The Role Of An Architect.
  An Architect is a licensed professional in the field of architecture. It is not a requirement in the United States that everyone who designs a home be an architect. However, many states require as a part of their local building codes that before a home can be built the construction drawings must be stamped by an architect or engineer licensed in that state. There are many excellent home plan designers that are not architects. And all homes, whether designed by an architect or not, must conform to local building codes before they are built.
• The Factors That Determine The Cost Of A New Home.
  While there are many individual components that go into the cost of a new home, the three primary driving factors are the land costs, the material costs and the labor costs. A recent study estimates that of every dollar that goes into the cost of a new home, 41 cents are material and labor costs; 30 cents are the builder’s profit, the bank loan and land fees; and 29 cents are fees to local government and regulation costs. Carter Lumber provides an itemized explanation of where every penny is going in a customer’s new home.
• What Are Blueprints?
  Blueprints are a set of detailed scaled drawings that give the builder exact information on how to build a particular structure. A set of blueprints includes a variety of drawings and views to provide all of the necessary information and specifications on how to build the structure. Without a complete set of blueprints you will not be able to generate an accurate materials list.
• What Is A Vellum As Opposed To A Blueprint Of A Design?
  

  Most people are familiar with blueprint paper, which is a standard type of light-sensitive photographic paper (called diazo paper) that architectural plans are commonly printed on. Vellum is a type of translucent paper that home plans are more recently being printed on.

  A vellum’s advantage is that it allows the lines of the floor plan to be erasable with an electric eraser, so changes can easily be made to the plan. Another benefit is that extra blueprint copies can be made directly from it.

• Does Square Footage Include The Garage?
  No. Generally, square footage is calculated as finished (dry-walled, painted, carpeted), walkable square footage. It would include footage from outside framed wall to outside framed wall (not including brick, siding, stucco, etc.) and anywhere the floor joists would project, such as in a cantilevered (overhanging) bay window. A boxed (square projecting) window, however, would not be included. (Difference: The floor ends at the wall in a boxed window, but extends in a cantilevered bay window.) Other things that are typically not included in a home's square footage are porches, courtyards, patios, etc. Basements are also not included in the square footage unless they are finished. Future expansion areas over the garage are also typically not included in the square footage, although on many plans, such as Design Basics® plans, that square footage is calculated and listed as optional.
• Can Designs From A Plan Book Be Taken To A Drafting Firm To Be Re-Drafted?
  No! It is a violation of federal copyright law to draft a plan based on the design ideas of a plan service, such as Design Basics®. The copyright protection in each Design Basics plan, for example, covers the design of the home, as well as the plan itself. Either the builder or the home buyer must purchase the design from the design service if they wish to legally build that home or make any changes to the design.
• What Exactly Are Building Codes?
  Building codes are safety regulations pertaining to how a building (commercial or residential) should be built. They are intended to protect both builders and home buyers from building an unsafe structure. They deal with everything from nail spacing to wheelchair accessibility. Many restrictions, regulations and inspections are regionally required due to soil conditions, weather conditions, etc. There are three major nationally recognized model building codes that are all very similar in content in the United States: UBC (Uniform Building Code); BOCA (Building Officials Code Administrators); and CABO (Council of American Building Officials). Every state, county and local municipality has adopted some form of one, any or all of these standard building codes. Both Carter Classic Home plans and Design Basics® plans conform to the Uniform Building Code.

Insulation (R-Value)

• R-Value Recommendations.
  As a way to maximize the energy efficiency of both new and existing homes, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published R-value recommendations based on specific heating and cooling needs and the cost of energy across the country—ZIP code by ZIP code. Click here to find the correct R-values in your location.

Windows And Doors

• Glossary Of Window Terms.
  Learn the basic lingo when it comes to the windows in your house.
  Source: Pella®
• Replacing A Window Or Door.
  As you consider replacing your windows or doors, look for these indicators that your old windows or doors need to be replaced.
  Source: Pella®
• Installing Windows And Doors.
  Click here for specific installation instructions for Pella® windows and doors.
  Source: Pella®
• Building A Home.
  Building a new home represents a sizable, long-term investment. And your windows and doors can't be changed as easily as things like paint or wallpaper. Click here for the basics.
  Source: Pella®

Kitchen & Bath

• What is HanStone?
  HanStone™ is an innovative new product that combines natural quartz, one of nature's hardest materials, with high quality polymer resin and pigment to produce a durable yet luxurious stone surface. Imagine the ideal surface, the perfect balance of beauty, durability and style.

  Source: Hanstone

• Here's A Hot Idea
  Warm your floor tile with electric radiant heat and feel like you are getting a gentle foot massage or a walk on a warm beach.

  Source: SunTouch.net

Pole Buildings

• Why Build A Pole Building?
  Pole buildings have always been popular with farmers because of their spacious, inexpensive construction. But today, with improved materials and easy maintenance, pole buildings, shelters and sheds are becoming popular structures for retail, warehouse and residential use as well. Whether you're looking for storage for your farm equipment or some extra space for a growing business, a pole building package from The Yard at Carter Lumber might be just what you need.

Building Supplies

• Lumber Buying Tips And Terms.
  
  • Linear Footage. A linear foot (also called a "lineal foot") is one foot along the length of a piece of any thickness or width. It may be abbreviated LF, lf or lin. ft.
  • Board Footage. Board footage is the basic unit of measure for lumber. Like cubic footage, board footage is a volume measurement that takes into account all the dimensions: length, width and thickness. A board foot is one foot long and one foot wide, but only one inch thick.
  • A Quick Lesson On How Dimensions Are Written:
    • Lumber is written thickness in inches first, then width in inches, then length in feet: A two-by-four 8 feet long is written 2 x 4 x 8.
    • Panel products are written width first (feet), then length (feet), then thickness (inches), for example, 4 x 8 x ½.
    • Doors and windows are always specified width first, then height and then the jamb width (which matches the depth of the wall) in inches: 4-0 x 4-0 – 5- ¼.
    • The width and height are typically in inches and feet, but windows may be written in inches only. When you have feet-and-inches dimensions, they may be separated with a dash or a slash. A three-foot-wide door may be written 3-0 or 3/0.
  • Lumber Grade. A higher grade of a given species has a higher strength rating (Fb) and often has a higher stiffness value (E), too.
  • Species Of Wood. All species are not created equal. Some species of wood are much stronger and stiffer than others.