05-27-2013, 02:32 AM
quote:
Originally posted by MarkP...
The moral of the story is to work within the limits of the material, plus the ancient Egyptians and Incas didn't scrimp on either materials or manpower.
I could not agree more.
This next rant is specific to those who build their own or have them built. (Not those who necessarily bought a older house).
We used to have a poster on the wall where I worked before at a lumber supplier:
"Cheap, Fast, Well-built - pick 2".
When disaster happens, people complain especially about their homes falling down. But the ones who complained every step of the way, and nickle and dimed to get their home built, dont seem to remember that the builder said do this or do that for strength. All they saw was more $$$'s.
An example is using 3500psi concrete and more steel in a foundation. The word "foundation" means: to found, institute, build, or bring into being on a firm or stable basis. Repeat "firm or stable". Many people balk at adding to their foundation, and building well from there.
By building well, I also mean being a responsible person and NOT just relying on building codes. Not to make light of OK, but any person building a new home there should already be aware of tornadoes, and say to the architect: "I dont see where you added our safe room. Dont forget about it." And make sure it has what you will need.
I am taking my own advice here and when we start remodeling, we are adding as much strength and what I call "under-structure" as it is under floor, under siding, under the roof.
This house was built in 1974 and even though I think some of our codes are just bureaucratic nonsense, there are some that truly make sense like hurricane strapping tied all the way to the foundation.