Owner Builder Training Ltd.

03/25/2025

Important read on earthquake homes by Fox Blocks

Build Stronger: Earthquake-Resistant Construction Made Simple

06/04/2024

06/04/2024

08/02/2021

Here's a great video about Rockwool exterior insulation from Fine Homebuilding!

In this short webinar from the Fine Homebuilding Summit, Rockwool Building Science Manager Antoine Habellion dives into the science and efficacy of using mineral wool for exterior insulation. Below is […]

07/26/2021

Here is another great article by Building Science Corp. It discusses the proper installation of flashing when using brick or stone on your build.
https://buildingscience.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?

06/15/2021

Up, down, and sideways
One of the keys to the kind of building I do is understanding that structure is all about direction. Gravity loads go down. That’s intuitive and easy. Most of what’s in the prescriptive structural tables in the code books deal with this, and all you need to do is read the book. Wind loads are more interesting. Their direction is often up or sideways. This is one area where builders need help from architects and engineers because wind pressure can work in ways that aren’t intuitive. In areas with higher wind loads, that information is clearly addressed in the plans. In my region, not so much. It wasn’t long ago that I toenailed rafters to wall plates and went home. Now, hurricane ties or structural screws through the plates into the rafters are common.

Wind that pushes things sideways is interesting too. It’s why we brace walls with sheathing or diagonal members. It’s also one reason we anchor mudsills to the foundation—earthquakes are the other, but we don’t have many of them in New England.

The point is, the direction of the force determines how you have to handle it.

06/13/2021

Hi everyone,
Can you please post the insurance company you used during the construction of your home. This will be helpful to others who are having difficulity finding a company. Thank you,

Warren

06/09/2021

It is insane!!

06/06/2021

Important detail for every home and is very important!. This is one approach

05/20/2021

Here is a new document meant to assist in understanding the National Building Code.

https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=72431bc3-7a2e-4725-bdca-aace4b7f3837

04/29/2020

The choices you make today have an impact on generations to come