DIY Builds
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Why can't you use screws in joist hangers?

The manufacturers agree: Never use galvanized deck screws or drywall screws to install joist hangers. Those screws don't have the shank size and toughness to support joist loads.

Can you use concrete blocks for shed base?
Can you use concrete blocks for shed base?

Concrete shed foundation blocks are a great way to create a level base for your shed. They can be doubled up to give a wide base, or stacked to...

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What type of shed base is best?
What type of shed base is best?

Gravel is generally better than concrete for a shed foundation Better drainage = less rot and decay. A gravel base acts like a sponge by wicking...

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These are the Best Shed Plans!
These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

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Introduction If you install them properly, joist hangers will keep your decks and floors strong as wood dries, twists, shrinks and ages. We'll show you a four-step method for installing joist hangers that will ensure that your floor or deck stays flat and strong. So the next time you hold a square dance or weight-lifting contest on your deck, you'll rest easier knowing you used joist hangers and installed them the right way.

Select the Best Beam Hanger for the Job

Figure A: Standard joist hanger

family handyman

This standard 2×8 joist hanger will keep your joists solidly and permanently connected. The double shear hanger in Photo 4 is another common type. Selecting the correct joist hangers and hanging (or “setting”) them is pretty straightforward. We’ll show you a four-step method for installing joist hangers that will ensure that your floor or deck stays flat and strong—and meets the requirements of your building inspector and the joist hanger manufacturer. Joist hangers come in many sizes to support different dimensional sizes of lumber and I-joists. The beam hangers you’ll find at home centers typically have a galvanized coating and will work indoors and out. Most homeowners will use the common face-mounting type (Fig. A), but specialized hangers are available for unusual situations, such as building in a corrosive salt-air environment or joists that run at an angle. The performance specifications for each type of beam hanger are carefully engineered and tested to meet the approval of local building codes. For the performance they deliver and their installation speed, joist hangers are a bargain. Joist hangers are sold according to the size of joists or beams they fit and their load capacity. Home centers and lumberyards typically stock the most common hangers and can order the oddball types and sizes. They also distribute simple and informative brochures that tell you which beam hanger to buy for which use (like for building a small deck). For bigger projects, pick up a free joist hanger product catalog that lists each manufacturer’s hanger types and their uses and load ratings. These catalogs list phone hotlines for engineering help. Manufacturers won’t design your project for you, but they’ll answer technical questions about specific joist hangers.

What can I use instead of a wheelchair ramp?
What can I use instead of a wheelchair ramp?

Porch lifts, also called “residential vertical platform lifts”, are lifts designed to allow the mobility-challenged access to a raised porch or...

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Should a shed be on a concrete slab?
Should a shed be on a concrete slab?

If you're getting a shed without a built-in floor you're going to need a concrete pad. The walls of your shed will actually get anchored to the...

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Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

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Is it OK to pour concrete on wet ground?

Damp ground will not be a problem unless is can not support the weight of the concrete. Cement/concrete does not "dry" , it cures , a chemical reaction. It absorbs water to cure, as noted , some concrete applications are sprayed with water to aid the cure.

Civil engineer here. The concrete needs to stay wet in order to cure properly. As noted before, concrete doesn't dry out to harden, it cures through a chemical reaction that needs water to facilitate the reaction. If the ground is dry, the ground will absorb moisture from the concrete and it won't cure properly. The ground should be very moist and compacted as well as you can manage. Also, wet clay is notoriously weak and you may end up with uneven support under the concrete, which will then lead to it cracking and settling after it's cured. Hard to say without seeing it but if you can remove as much clay from beneath the concrete slab, you'll have less chance of it settling and cracking. This is especially true if the clay is expansive. It will expand when wet and shrink when dry and your concrete slab will be a disaster. Best to get as much clay removed as possible, compact the sub-grade evenly, and make sure to water the ground before placing the concrete. Have you thought about proper joints? Concrete will crack. If you can get it to crack along a joint, no one will see it. Look at some professionally done concrete flatwork and you'll see what I mean. Good luck.

What is the best exterior door for cold weather?
What is the best exterior door for cold weather?

fiberglass insulated doors The best exterior doors for cold weather are well-insulated ones. When choosing a door for the cold, look for fiberglass...

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What all do I need to build a 10x10 shed?
What all do I need to build a 10x10 shed?

Material and Cut List FLOOR. 9 – 2×6 Pressure Treated Lumber 10′ (cut to 9′-9″) ... WALLS. 8 – 2×4 Lumber 8′ (cut to 7′-4 1/2″) ... SIDINGS. 10 –...

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Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

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What are the disadvantages of straw bale?
What are the disadvantages of straw bale?

Some of the disadvantages of straw bale construction include: Moisture and mould are significant risks. ... Fire is also a risk, however, because...

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Can you put an air conditioner in a shed?
Can you put an air conditioner in a shed?

If your shed has windows you don't mind obstructing, you can opt for a window air conditioner. It is designed to cool a single space and can make a...

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