CAT | Quality Check
Insulation Types: The Good, The Bad and The Expensive
1 Comment | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Great Products, Quality Check
Are you trying to choose between the different insulation types available for your new project? If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, insulation and house sealing techniques are critical to creating a comfortable, draft-free home. In this article we will compare the major insulation types available for a new home and talk about the cost […]
How to Install New Windows in Your New Project
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Quality Check
I was talking with a new armchair builder the other day and he asked me for some tips on how to install new windows. He also asked for a window manufacturer recommendation. I started to give him my favorite manufacturer and then I remembered what my biggest problems have been with windows over my home […]
New Roof: Builder Tips and Secrets to Save
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Quality Check
A family member recently asked what tips we could give for buying a new roof. In her case, the new roof would be replacing an existing cedar roof. As we put together the important considerations for choosing and selecting materials and contractors, we realized some of you might need this same information. So, we have […]
House Sewer Protection
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Quality Check
One of the critical items you need to protect when building a new home is your house sewer. The pipe that comes from the street to your home is a vital component to the operation of your home’s plumbing system. Without proper protection, damage can occur and backup of raw sewage into your home is […]
Construction Safety: Just Do It.
2 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Owner-Builder, Quality Check
Construction Safety: Just Do It. “Why would I need safety glasses…I’ve never gotten hurt on a job site!” “I don’t need a hard hat because nobody is working above me.” These are common phrases you hear when running a construction project. However, there are real consequences to ignoring good construction safety practices. Here are a […]
Raised Heel Truss
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Great Products, Quality Check, Save Money
Raised heel truss. Energy truss. High-heel truss. These all refer to the idea of creating a roof truss that will improve the energy efficiency of your newly built home. They don’t add all that much cost to a newly built home and the payback for using a raised heel truss can be significant over time. […]
Drilling floor joists to run plumbing, wiring or ducts can be tricky. There are very specific locations and sizes in the code telling you what is allowed. The picture above shows what can happen when an untrained plumber is working on your home. Let’s review what is wrong with this particular joist and discuss what […]
Shower Tile Backer
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Bath Remodel, Great Products, Quality Check
Not sure what your shower tile backer should look like? The most important aspect of any tile job is the substrate material. Having a stable, solid surface for the tile to adhere to is essential to a long lasting surface. When it comes to showers and tub shower surrounds, there really is only one choice […]
Armchair Builder has shared a few deck building tips in the recent past. Unfortunately, decks are one of those projects that homeowners don’t seem to think require a lot of skill and design. This can lead to hassles and worse, the possibility of serious injury to your family and guests. The Biggest of all Deck […]
Underground Utilities: Call Before You Dig
3 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Quality Check
It’s building season and that means we are all diligently working on our new projects. Whether your goal is to build a fence or a new addition for your home, be sure to call your local utility locate service to mark your underground utilities prior to digging. The call before you dig service is free […]
