Home Building

A Subdivision And An Old Cemetery

Ready for another post on dumb homebuilding ideas?

A reader wrote in recently asking about the "very, very creepy" thing that was smack dab in the middle of this great little new subdivision in Paulding County named Sweetwater Bridge that features Frank Betz-designed craftsman style homes. The reader's question is not a dumb one. It's what is within the neighborhood that qualifies this post as a dumb homebuilding idea.

The "very, very creepy" in question is a very old family(?) cemetery located in the heart of the neighborhood. There wasn't a fence surrounding it at the time we visited back in March 2008 so at the very least the developer should definitely do something (if they haven't done so already) to keep people out and...well...in, too, in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Continue reading: Cemeteries and Subdivisions

Chimney Pots Cap Off Your Home In Grand Style

I posted an article and gallery recently of a newly constructed Victorian home featuring the chimneys and chimney pots.  I promised more chimney pot photos and information so here goes.

I've been in contact with Ola over at The Chimney Pot Shoppe and she was kind enough to get permission from all of the homeowners featuring these unusual chimney pots that follow.

You may be surprised to learn how many styles, shapes and sizes that chimney pots come in these days. They are a great way to add character to your home while controlling draft simultaneously.

Continue reading: Chimney Pot Character

A Victorian Slate Roofing Installation

Roofing...how boring...right?
 

Wrong!!! Not when you're talking about the fine craftsmanship of a Vermont black slate roofing installation. That's exactly what I'm about to share with you. The installation occurred at the Victorian home I've been visiting while under construction.

This slate roof was no small task to complete. They used somewhere in the range of 100 square of Vermont black slate. That's a LOT of slate to have to install on a private residence!

Continue reading: Victorian Slate Roof

Victorian Style Chimney and Chimney Pots

If you're looking for a gallery of images showing a Victorian style chimney and chimney pots, I think this post might fit the bill. I've also included quite a few pictures of chimney pots of various styles that are very interesting.

The chimney and chimney pot photos that you'll see in the gallery were taken in a couple of separate visits I made recently at the construction site of the immense Victorian home that I am featuring over the next few weeks-to-months. I was not present for the construction of them (darn it!) but I do have the results to share...and they are quite spectacular.

The lower portion of the gallery are photos were loaned from an exterior design contest that ChimneyPots conducted in 2008.

UPDATE 07/29/2008: I've created an entirely different post featuring many types of installed chimney pots and more information on them, including links to how to install them, the history of chimney pots and more.

Continue reading: Victorian Chimney Pots

Top Reasons Why You Shouldn't Layer Asphalt Shingles Over an Existing Roof

 Layering roofing has been a way to save time and a little bit of money when you need to replace your roof. However, layering roofing can void shingle warrantees, add excessive weight to the structure of your house, and diminish the overall life of the roof.

Before considering layering roofing over an existing roof, check your local building codes. Many restrict the amount of times you can layer the roofing, so chances are if your roof already has more than one layer of roofing, you're ineligible.

If you only have a single layer of roofing currently, and your home is fairly new, structurally the home will probably withstand the extra weight.

Continue reading: Layering Roofing Guidelines

10 Easy Steps for DIY Roll Roofing Installation

Roll roofing is the perfect material for the novice roofer who wishes to finish a shed or porch roof with a slight slope or flat roof. Produced in large rolls that are cut and nailed into place, installation is incredibly simple and can be completed quickly.

  Never install roll roofing unless it is at least 50 degrees to prevent cracking.

The heat will make the roll roofing easy to work with, so leave it on the roof for a few hours to warm up.

While you are waiting, install a drip edge all around the perimeter of the roof to prevent the water from working underneath the edge of the roofing. Normally made of plastic, a drip edge will further protect your roof and give it a finished edge. 
 
 

Continue reading: DIY Roll Roofing Install

Advantages and Disadvantages of Recycled Plastic Lumber

Recycled plastic lumber is made from plastic bottles and other plastic waste. While many people think of plastic as synonymous with disposable, plastic lumber is surprisingly hardy and highly prized for marine applications.

The largest advantage of plastic lumber is that it won't rot or absorb water and is highly resistant to insect damage. This makes it perfect for marine and other water applications, where the lumber is further prized by its ability to resist shock. It also eliminates the need to treat the lumber, unlike treated wood, which uses toxic chemicals to impart the same qualities that plastic naturally has.

Continue reading: Recycled Plastic Lumber

Reasons to Choose Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Reclaimed hardwood flooring is made from lumber that used to be in old barns, factories, and houses. From an environmental standpoint, saving wood that would be thrown away during demolition is a commendable act. However, to dismiss reclaimed hardwood flooring as another green material would be a mistake: the beauty and quality of the wood to make this flooring is unparallel.

To make reclaimed flooring, wood is dried and remilled into tongue and groove or traditional flooring.


      Here's a video featuring Master Carpenter Norm Abram of This Old House as he explains how to choose reclaimed wood flooring.


This wood can easily be 75 years old, with slow growth patterns and at widths that cannot often be found in the current building marketplace. The density and stability of the wood also makes it highly attractive to designers.

Continue reading: Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Pros (and some cons) of Recycled Glass Tile

When I decided to remodel my kitchen, recycled glass tile was one of the materials I considered using. While I ultimately chose another material, recycled glass tile has become popular with architects and homeowners who are drawn to its unique aesthetic.

It's difficult to say exactly how environmentally sensitive recycled glass tile is when you consider that the only environmental benefit is that it uses recycled materials. The glass must be melted to be used, a process that expends tremendous amounts of energy. And while it's good to keep consumer waste out of landfills, glass can be recycled into many different things, not just tiles.

Continue reading: Gorgeous Glass Tile

Things to Consider When Choosing a Garage Door

If you are considering replacing your garage doors, you may be surprised by the variety of doors available to you.

Made out of metal, wood, composite, or fiberglass and with four different types to choose from, there are over a dozen combinations to consider before making a choice.

Types of Garage Doors

Roller

This type of garage door is the most space efficient type, but many homeowners shun roller doors because of their industrial appearance. Made out of thin aluminium strips, this garage door rolls up into a drum and is often automated when installed.
 

Sectional

Sectional garage doors are the most popular type of garage doors. The door is normally made of wood or metal and is divided into several horizontal sections. The largest advantage of this type of door is its ability to maintain a traditional appearance without having to swing out to open.

 

Continue reading: Garage Door Choices