DIY Builds
DIY Builds
Photo: cottonbro studio
Yes, you read that correctly. Even though these chemicals are known to cause cancer, 47 states in the Union still don't feel the need to have a specific consumer warning accompanying the purchase. Urea-formaldehyde (UF) is the often-seen culprit when it comes to off-gassing from OSB.
SketchUpTrainer.com is one of the best sources for SketchUp training. You can sign up for live training, online training, corporate training, and...
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Shed floors are essential because they ensure a solid surface to walk on and sturdy support for items you store. If your items don't have a solid...
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These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.
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When felting over any old felt you can use a bitten primer to get a proper fix, some felts are also a 3 layer system allowing them to go over old...
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Most major manufacturers can create bays up to 4m in size with their domestic range of sheds. Therefore your shed could be a 6m x 12m, a 6m x 14m,...
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Certain manufacturers have begun to produce lower VOC boards using phenol-formaldehyde (PF) in an attempt to mitigate the health concerns of OSB. Marketed as OSB that releases chemicals more slowly and at lower levels, these materials are moving in the right direction, but have not actually fixed the problem. If someone told you they were going to smoke in your home, but only 5 cigarettes a day instead of 20, would you be okay with that? The problem is still there, it's just less noticeable. Constructing or remodeling a home means you need to take VOC calculations into your own hands. Do not simply consider what the off-gassing exposure is on day 1 and day 51, but what it will be throughout the lifespan of the home. Off-gassing from both UF and PF resins does not disappear over time. Seek out alternative building materials that reduce or eliminate off-gassing and hazardous chemical exposure in each stage of the building process, from the sheathing on the exterior of your home, to the finish of your floors. Technically a formaldehyde-free wood option isn't a reality. Wood naturally contains low levels of formaldehyde, just as potatoes contain trace amounts of arsenic. However, you have the option of doing away with OSB for exterior sheathing in favor of alternate solutions, like rigid insulation solutions*. Yes, this is a more costly solution. Consider the price of your health as compared to the increased cost of construction to reduce chemical exposure. Perhaps eliminating a couple hundred square feet to offset the increased material costs is worth reducing the risk of cancer. *Magnesium Oxide board (MgO) is frequently suggested as an OSB alternative, but buyer beware. This material was the next sliced bread in Denmark until it was realized that it caused moisture issues on such a grand scale that MgO is credited as the largest construction scandal in Danish history. Oops.
Newly-Built Shed Step 1: Get Your Galvanized Anchor Bolts. If you are building a normal shed using 2x4s, then 1/2-inch anchor bolts will do just...
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Cost of Constructing Barns Made of Poles vs. However, steel frame barns are also 60% less expensive than traditional methods of construction. Even...
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These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.
Learn More »It's a firefighter's job to put themselves in harm's way, but we can do our part to help protect them, and our families, by opting for healthier building practices that will minimize exposure to cancer-causing materials. Investigate, research, and demand specifics when it comes to the chemicals used to construct your home and remodel your kitchen. If the task appears overwhelming, give me a call and I'll help you through the calculations.
Applying Command Strips Before you apply your Command strips to any surface, it's important to make sure the surface is as clean as possible. Any...
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Should You Nail or Screw Joist Hangers? You can do either. According to Simpson, using their structural screws designed to work specifically with...
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Fiberglass Fiberglass. Fiberglass wins for the choice of the most insulative exterior door choice. While they fill a fiberglass door with foam much...
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If you're hanging a heavy mirror on drywall without the support of a stud, you need drywall anchors that can bear the weight of your mirror. Check...
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