Q: What is the cause and cure for wood rot in an exterior wall? I recently noticed that the corner of my house has rotting studs from the bottom up. The exterior sheathing is rotting as well. This area was never with siding due to being approximately 6 inches from a garage wall. What is the best way to repair the wall and to prevent future problems? The house was built eight … [Read more...] about How To Diagnose & Repair Rotted Framing?
Exteriors
ZIP Sheathing Vs. Plywood & Housewrap?
Q: How does the ZIP system compare to standard sheathing? It seems like 9 out of 10 new homes and remodels in my area (northern New England) are using green ZIP sheathing on the walls and some use the red version of the roof as well. How does this product compare to using plywood and a housewrap such as Tyvek? — Tom A: Zip System sheathing was introduced by Huber Engineered … [Read more...] about ZIP Sheathing Vs. Plywood & Housewrap?
Best Material For Chimney Caps?
Q: I am planning to make a chimney top with aluminum covered by copper. Does there need to be any type of barrier between the two because of heat, ash, or wood smoke? What material do you recommend? – Pat A: For the longest lasting chimney cap, the recommended materials are stainless steel or copper. Caps made with these usually come with a lifetime warranty. Galvanized … [Read more...] about Best Material For Chimney Caps?
Magnesium-Oxide Wallboard & Sheathing
Q: Magnesium-oxide board (ExtremeGreen board) seems to be a ideal building material, but Wikipedia and other sources say it has a problem of attracting condensation due to its salt content. Can you offer any advice? -- Keith B. A: Magnesium-oxide building products – sheathing, wallboard, siding, and other products such as SIPs – are very new in the U.S. so there is little … [Read more...] about Magnesium-Oxide Wallboard & Sheathing
Casement Vs. Double-Hung Windows
Q: We are building a new home – a contemporary Cape – and are trying to decide between casement and double-hung windows. We like the look of casements, but have heard that they can be trouble. We are also trying to decide between vinyl-clad and solid-vinyl windows. Any suggestions would be appreciated. – Tom C. A: There are definitely pros and cons to each type of … [Read more...] about Casement Vs. Double-Hung Windows
Wood Siding Installation – Best Practices
David Asks: Are there industry standards for the horizontal alignment of cedar siding boards? We had a home remodel and new cedar siding had to be installed on some of the exterior walls. The horizontal siding aligns evenly at the bottom of two adjoining walls however part way up on one wall, they decreased the overlap of each board and now the horizontal siding on one wall is … [Read more...] about Wood Siding Installation – Best Practices
Getting Rid Of Carpenter Ants?
Jonathan writes: I have been finding little piles of wood shavings on my backyard deck, along the bottom of the exterior wall of the house (see photo). Does this look like a sign of carpenter ants or termites? I suspect ants as I sometimes see large, black ants in the house. What's the best way to get rid of carpenter ants? Steve Bliss, of BuildingAdvisor.com, responds: … [Read more...] about Getting Rid Of Carpenter Ants?
Splashback Rots Vertical Siding
Blair writes: I'm in a 30-year-old house built on a brick-ledge slab. The trouble is that the previous owner/builder used reverse board-and-batten siding to instead of brick. Over the years, rain hitting the ledge on the slab bounced up to rot the lower 2-4 inches of wood and likely the sole plate of the wall framing. My thought is to cut a foot or so above the rot around the … [Read more...] about Splashback Rots Vertical Siding