Walls in Need of Repair? First, Understand Your Walls

They are all around us...Walls keep the EleMents out and a Controlled EnvironMent on the Inside. Walls Separate Rooms, Closets, Restrooms, Dens, Living Rooms, Kitchens and other areas of our Home. When the Home is in the Construction Phase, Walls are Built out of 2x4 or 2x6 studs which are Douglas Fir (wood), sometimes Metal Studs or even Concrete is used for certain Applications. The Framework is Covered in a Variety of Materials like:

Walls in Need of Repair? First, Understand Your Walls

Walls in Need of Repair? First, Understand Your Walls

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Walls in Need of Repair? First, Understand Your Walls

Walls in Need of Repair? First, Understand Your Walls

Drywall (known as Gypsum Board - finished in a variety of textured looks) Plaster (hard like concrete - in a variety of textured looks Paneling (wood or synthetic) Wood (usually vertical panels) Tile (porcelain or ceramic) Glass (in solid pane or window form)

The Different Materials used on the Exterior of the Home Consist of:

PuTTY (which is a Concrete material in a variety of textured looks) Siding (wood, vinyl or recycled materials-hung horizontal or vertical) T1-11 (plywood in 4 ' or 8 ' grooves-hung vertically) Glass Block (in a wide variety of sizes and looks)

Most of these materials whether inside or outside need to be sealed (protected) for a variety of reasons. With a variety of products. Mainly to last as long as possible without having to replace them from rot or decay. RepAiring walls inside or outside of the home can be done by the homeowner once they become familiar with the materials that they are about to repAir. In between the outer and inner walls there could be fibreglass insulation and possibly a vapor barrier on the outer wall to protect the wall and us from theoutside elements. Be careful not to damage or remove these barriers. They are there for a reason. If you do have to remove insulation or vapor barriers, make sure you replace them in full sheets and you wear the correct Clothing to work with these materials.

When attempting repAirs on the inner walls of your home, take note of what kind of material is being used and the thickness. Normally gypsum board (drywall) is used these days in 1/2 "thickness. Older homes can have a mixture of materials like plaster or vertical wood planking or even paneling. Paneling could be mounted to the wall on top of drywall or just mounted to the wall studs (framework). Wood planks are mounted to the framework, usually at the top and bottom and the hardware is hidden by decorative moulding, I know it looksseamless.

Wall repair, for the homeowner, is easier than you may think. Now we are talking about minor damage in drywall like, fist size to larger holes like a basketball in size. When sizing up the damage, pay attention to the thickness of the wall material and the framework inside the wall. Most wood framework, called studs, is put together on a 16 "(inch) on center schedule for Fastening systems purposes and strength of structure. That means when you measure the center of one stud, it should be 16 "on the center of the next stud and so on. This is also good to know for when you hang heavy objects on the wall. It gives you a measured map of the wall for securing to the studs. To complete this repair, visit my website below.

Walls in Need of Repair? First, Understand Your Walls

What Are ICF Insulated Concrete Forms?

The CeMent Association of Canada has developed standardized ICF training modules to help facilitate greater adoption of ICF construction. Two of their main objectives are:

(i) To facilitate greater understanding and awareness of ICF construction as a viable building alternative, that will escalate its adoption in the residential and non-residential markets.

(ii) To provide an industry baseline benchmark for required ICF training, ensuring adequate skills competence in the building workforce for the delivery of quality construction.

Today ICF construction is rapidly gaining popularity in both the residential and non-residential markets.

What is ICF Construction? Insulating Concrete Forms are energy-efficient reinforced-concrete walls that are dry-stacked without using mortar and filled with concrete, think of them like Lego blocks. The blocks, or forms as the are referred to, are stacked to form exterior and interior walls, reinforcing steel or rebar is then added into the openings and then concrete is pumped in to form the structural eleMent of the walls.

An Insulated Concrete Form can be made from a variety of materials:

(i) CeMent-bonded wood fiber (recycled waste wood and cement) (ii) Expanded polystyrene (iii) Cement-bonded polystyrene beads

One of the best ICFs are wood concrete forms, that is those that are made with cement-bonded wood fiber material that only uses natural ingredients. This combination of recycled waste wood and cement results in a better performing ICF wall system. When looking for an insulated concrete form you want to find ICFs that are environmentally safe, made from recycled material, do not contain nor emit any toxic elements, and are fully recyclable as well. Furthermore, insulated concrete forms that do not contain plastic, foams or polystyrenes are better for the environment than those that do contain these materials.

Benefits ICF construction has many benefits over traditional wood frame construction.

(i) Strength and Comfort In ICF construction the walls and floors form one continuous surface. This will help to keep out insects and create an environment free of allergens, dust, mold and other irritants. Furthermore the insulated forms are virtually soundproof and keep out unwanted noises and distractions..

(ii) Energy Performance Using insulated concrete forms means that your walls are already insulated better than any wood frame house. The ICFs will help to keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter and you can save as much as 50-80% on heating and cooling costs.

(iii) Structural Integrity A building built with insulated concrete forms can stand up to winds of 200 miles per hour and resist fire for up to 3.5 hours. ICF homes have been know to withstand hurricanes, tornados and a wide range of weather conditions from coast to coast. Furthermore concrete does not rot when it gets wet, making the upkeep and repAirs minimal.

(iv) Green Building ICFs are inherently green, from raw materials to installation. Depending on the product, you can find ICFs that have no CFCs, HCFCs or formaldehyde used in the manufacturing process and made from recycled material. Also, 100% of the installation waste, even the insulated forms themselves, are recyclable.

ICF buildings have higher energy savings, better fire resistance, and a superior structural integrity over traditional wood framed houses.

What Are ICF Insulated Concrete Forms?

What Are ICF Insulated Concrete Forms?

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What Are ICF Insulated Concrete Forms?