The number of new homes being built with basements is declining; at the same time, there is a surge in interest in finishing basements on existing homes is rising. That may initially sound contradictory without looking at the reasons for each change. First, as the cost of building a new home rises, those seeking to develop one … Read more
At its structural core, the style of building that we do consist of beams and columns. It was the ancient Romans, the same people who gave us arches, who came up with the idea of using timbers as structural elements in construction. The first lattice truss bridges were built by the Romans, using wood timbers, … Read more
Hemlock is one of the more prolific varieties of pine trees in the United States, making up some 60% of the virgin forests in the Pacific Northwest and up into western Canada. The species is generally divided into two subspecies, as eastern and western hemlock trees are slightly different, with western hemlock trees growing considerably … Read more
Adhesives are critical to both woodworking and carpentry. While other means of fastening wood together and wood to various materials exist, adhesives are the “go-to” in countless cases, even when used with other forms of joining materials, such as fasteners. Understanding the different types of adhesives available is an essential part of any woodworker or … Read more
The idea of using wood paneling to cover the inside walls of homes has existed for millennia, with the earliest reference I know of being in the Bible’s old Testament book of Haggai. While cheap paneling became popular for use in tract homes in the middle of the last century, throughout history it has been … Read more