Can You Asphalt Pave a Driveway in Winter

By Mark J. Donovan

Frequently I get asked the question by homeowners on whether or not a driveway can be asphalt paved in winter.

The answer depends on whether or not the ground is frozen. Simply put, if the ground is frozen do not allow the asphalt paving contractor to apply the asphalt. If it is applied when the ground is frozen it will not roll to grade well. The asphalt arrives on the job site extremely hot allowing it to be easily spread and rolled to grade. However, if the hot asphalt is poured onto a frozen surface such as the ground, the asphalt will immediately begin to stiffen or freeze up.

Even if the asphalt driveway is able to be rolled to grade while the ground is frozen it will result in a poor quality driveway that will quickly begin to break down. The reason for this is the aggregate material embedded in the asphalt will not be firmly packed with the asphalt, thus resulting in stones quickly becoming loose.

If, the temperature is below freezing, but the ground has not yet frozen it is acceptable to have the Asphalt paving contractor install the asphalt driveway. Unlike a frozen ground, below freezing air temperatures will not dramatically affect the rate of hardening of the asphalt material. Thus the asphalt paving contractor will be able to roll the asphalt to grade and achieve the right level of compression.

To conclude, if you live in the northern half of the United States, and it is already December it is probably wise to hold off any asphalt paving projects until spring time. Readmore »»

A Home or Garden Arbor can Spice up Your Backyard

By Mark J. Donovan

If you are looking to spice up the outdoor appearance of your home or backyard, building a home or garden arbor just maybe your answer.

Home and garden arbor structures offer versatility to your home’s property in several ways. An arbor can immediately transform a drab home doorway entrance, or a plain backyard garden, into a beautiful entranceway or garden.

Arbors have been in use throughout time to enhance gardens by providing a place to grow climbing flowers and vines. You can also squeeze more flowers in your garden as an arbor allows you the ability to grow plants upwards, where they actually fair better because of more sunlight exposure.

In addition, arbors can establish privacy barriers and increase your home’s outdoor living space during the warm spring and summer seasons. Arbors can influence mood swings, and provide a romantic hideaway to while away a summer afternoon while relaxing on a swing or hammock. Arbors can also enhance a home’s landscape, particularly if your backyard appears drab and lacks any unique visual aesthetics.

Arbors are relative easy to build and an ideal project for the do-it-yourself homeowner. Material for building an arbor is readily available at most home improvement centers. The cost of building an arbor is relatively inexpensive and construction can be completed in a single day or weekend using common tools.

When your arbor is complete, you will enjoy something more special than just a sense of accomplishing another home project. You will have added real value to your home and you will undoubtedly receive the envious admiration of your family and neighbors.

For more information on building a home or garden arbor, See HomeAdditionPlus.com's "How to Build an Arbor Ebook". It provides in-depth, easy to understand, step-by-step instructions and pictures, on how to build an arbor. Readmore »»

Should You Feed Your Home Remodeling Contractor

By Mark J. Donovan

Frequently I get asked the question by homeowners on whether or not they should feed a home remodeling contractor when they are performing work on their home.

My response is always the same. As with any employer/employee relationship it is always good for the employer to show some occasional extra level of appreciation to his/her employees. And this frequently does come in the form of a free lunch or dinner. However, this said, it is unwise to become the regular “Chuck Wagon” to your home remodeling contractor. Besides getting expensive just in terms of groceries it also can lead to other negatives. Your over hospitality could actually backfire on you. The contractor may grow to expect the regular food service and in the event you stop or suspend service, they may question your motives. This questioning could lead to bad feelings and a reduction in their performance as they may think you are unsatisfied with their level or quality of work.

To conclude, it is best to maintain a healthy employer/employee relationship with your home remodeling contractor, however it is unwise to inadvertently try to become their friend by feeding them on a regular basis. Show occasional appreciation if it is deserved but do not attempt to become a contractors meal ticket. Readmore »»

Outdoor Fireplace Plans

Constructing Backyard Beauty

Building an outdoor fireplace is a huge commitment. Most of these fireplaces are permanent structures and will remain a part of your home for many years. This means that they have to remain attractive to you and any future owners of your property. This is why outdoor fireplace plans are vital before undertaking this type of construction plan.

Obviously the first thing to consider when building an outdoor fireplace is where to place it. Many people choose to put a fireplace near the pool or on a deck that is used for entertaining.

Be sure to choose a spot that compliments the house and other structures on the property. Also choose a spot that is ideal even if you change the landscaping or setup of your yard. Remember, the fireplace is permanent. You have to be happy with your placement decision. If you have any doubts, hold off on construction until you are completely sure.

The next thing to consider is what type of fuel you are going to burn in your fireplace. Wood fireplaces will require the installation of a chimney whereas gas fireplaces will require other venting structures. Keep in mind that the addition of a chimney or the exclusion of one may affect the overall look of your fireplace.

Next you will need to choose your materials. Most outdoor fireplaces are constructed with beautiful stone and brick. The interior of the fireplace is constructed of aluminum alloy and/or cast iron. There are a wide variety of stones that can be used in constructing your fireplace so this could be the most enjoyable part of your construction project.

Now all you have to do is look through construction plans and/or pictures of other fireplaces to choose the look of your fireplace. There are many styles to choose from so this could be a bit overwhelming. You can even customize your fireplace to make it perfectly accent your home and property. Once you have done this, it is time to begin construction and start enjoying your outdoor fireplace.

About the Author: Article provided courtesy of the Outdoor Heating Guide - your premier resource for outdoor fireplaces and fire pits. Readmore »»

Outdoor Furnaces can Dramatically Lower Your Heating Bills

Outdoor Wood Burning Furnaces for Home Heating

If the high cost of heating your home last winter didn’t already prompt you to look for alternative ways to keep your home cozy, the threat of future hikes in fuel prices may have you looking at possible solutions to lowering your heating bill. Yes, at the moment things are looking a little better but we all know now how quickly escalating fuel and energy costs can wreak havoc on our budgets. This possibility has many looking at outdoor furnaces as a solution to shield them from fluctuating fuel prices.

Outdoor wood-burning furnaces are a great idea for many reasons. They keep your home comfortable with the kind of warm, cozy heat that only wood can provide. And by burning wood instead of fuels, you are being friendlier to the environment. Wood is also a renewable resource, whereas fuel is not.

As the demand for fuel grows and the supply dwindles, fuel price hikes like we have experienced over the past year will become commonplace. By heating your home with wood, you can avoid these peaks in heating costs and may be able to do away with your heating bill altogether if you burn wood from your own property.

Outside wood burners are also safer and cleaner than burning wood indoors. There is no smoke, ashes, odors or soot buildup and the chance of catching your home on fire with this type of heat is virtually nonexistent.

The only drawback of the outdoor furnace is that you have to go outside to load the furnace with wood and to perform routine cleaning and maintenance. But the ability of the furnace to burn whole logs instead of split lumber means that you will not have to see to your heating system very often. There will be no running outside in the middle of the night to add more fuel to the fire. And if you are like many, the money that you save will more than make up for this inconvenience.

About the Author: The Outdoor Heating Guide is your premier resource for outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and patio heaters. Readmore »»

Engineered Wood I-Beams vs Sawn Lumber for Floor Joists

By Mark J. Donovan

Engineered Wood I-Beams Continue to Grow in Popularity

Engineered wood I-beams were first introduced in the late 1960s and were used mainly for high-end home construction. However, today up to half the homes built in the United States now use engineered wood I-beams. Engineered wood I-beams are considered an excellent alternative to sawn lumber for floor joists due to their strength and overall lower installation costs.

Wood I-beams look similar to the traditional steel I-beam. They consist of a center section constructed out of a thin layer of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) material that is sandwiched on top and bottom by two wide flange sections made out of finger jointed sawn lumber. Typically there are cut-out or knock-out sections in the OSB material that can be removed for running electrical wires and heat ducts.

Engineered Wood I-beams have several major advantages. First, they are much stronger, straighter and stiffer than conventional sawn lumber. Data indicates that they are 50% stiffer than sawn lumber. Consequently they provide less deflection, which translates into better floor construction.

As a result of their strength, wood I-beams can be used to cover larger spans and can be separated on wider on-center spacings. Thus, significant building costs can be achieved as less wood material and labor installation effort is required.

Note: wood I-beams are more expensive than sawn lumber equivalent lengths; however, these initial material costs are more than offset due to fewer wood I-beam joists required on the project. With the benefits of increased on-center spacing and coverage of longer spans, typically fewer floor joists are needed and the traditional center beam required in most sawn lumber floor joist construction is eliminated.

Engineered wood I-beams are also much lighter than conventional sawn lumber (e.g. 2 x 10s or 2 x 12s) as they are constructed using a combination of finger jointed sawn lumber and OSB material. Wood I-beams can weigh up to 60% less than their sawn lumber counterparts.

Because of their unique construction wood I-beams do not warp, shrink, cup or twist and thus they are able to create stiffer floors that have fewer tendencies to settle or squeak.

Engineered wood I-beams typically come in longer lengths than traditional sawn lumber. Wood I-beams lengths can range from 24’ to 60’ in length and can be modified on the job site with certain manufacturer restrictions.

Wood I-beams are also considered an environmentally sensitive alternative to traditional sawn lumber as they require 35-60% less wood material and can be constructed using smaller faster growing trees.

Wood I-beams do have a few limitations/concerns. Typically they are used for interior construction only as water can damage them. Also, not all contractors and sub-contractors are trained in using wood I-beams. As a result, careful attention has to be made so that electrical and plumbing contractors do not notch the flanges when installing pipes, wire or ducts.

There has also been concern for fire safety with wood I-beams. Studies have shown that wood I-beams are more susceptible to fire damage due to their lack of mass (when compared to sawn lumber) and their heavy reliance on glue in their construction.

Regardless of the few limitations/concerns, the use of engineered wood I-beams continues to grow in popularity. They provide stronger floors, reduce overall building costs and are environmentally friendlier than their traditional sawn lumber counterparts. So when considering your next home building project you may want to ask your contractor about using wood I-beams floor joists as an alternative to standard 2x10s and 2x12s. Readmore »»

Insulating and Ventilating Your Attic

By Mark J. Donovan

Late Fall is an excellent time of the year to inspect the attic and if necessary make some minor improvements. A well-insulated and ventilated attic can save you a lot of money and aggravation. The attic can be a significant contributor to heat loss from your home if not properly insulated. Also, if the attic is not properly ventilated your roof can become susceptible to ice damning. Ice damning can lead to major damage inside the home.

Ice damns start when heat builds up in the attic and causes snow on the roof to melt. The water from the melted snow runs off towards the eves of the roof. As the water nears the eves it begins to cool again and refreeze as ice. After several days of this process the ice builds up and forms damns. Eventually the ice damns cause water from the melting snow to back up underneath the shingles and onto the bare roof sheathing. Once there, the water finds cracks and nail holes to slip through. Finally the water works its way down onto the ceiling sheetrock and begins to cause major damage inside the home.

By ensuring a well insulated and ventilated attic ice damning can be eliminated. So when inspecting your attic, make sure you have sufficient insulation and that it has not been compressed down. Also make sure soffit, ridge and gable end vents are free from material that can clog them, e.g. Bees nests. You may also want to consider installing additional venting if your roof has had a history of ice damning even after additional attic insulation has been installed. Finally, if the insulation layer between the ceiling joists is jammed up tight against the inside slope of the roof you should install attic foam rafter vents or chutes. The rafter vents will ensure that air flows smoothly between the soffit and ridge vents. Readmore »»