Recent content by Mattilac

Is the stem wall crack roughly near the middle? Hopefully just shrinkage... I have one on each of my 64' long foundation walls too.

I feel for you, OP. Like you, I care about the details. I ended up having to build my garage myself just so I knew every little thing I could control was done right. Left the concrete to the 'pros' and like you, it's not perfect...

I haven't added the latest costs to the exact total yet but I am a touch over $200k into the project. Quite happy with it, considering all the upgrades and enhancements I've implemented that were not included in the GC quotes, such as the double insulated roof assembly, insulated & radiant 6"...

Last real project for the year was lining the foundation with cement board to protect the exterior foam. I used 1/2" HardieBacker but that may have been a mistake because it looks like the product was recently discontinued, so future repairs may be an issue. Oh well. Dug down about 8-12" along...

I only built the one in front over the garage doors.

1. I simply made the pitch the same as the main roof (8:12). 2. Yes I'm running full exterior insulation (along with interior batt insulation). Start here for a lot more info on all that...

Before I install vinyl siding, I'd like to make an effort to get most of my building penetrations done. The question is - what and where? Power meter? Exterior lights? Outlets? Bathroom vent? What else?

While I continue to hem and haw on what to do next, I went ahead and installed Rockwool R30 batts in the roof. That brings the roof to around R50. Good enough for me. I noticed the Rockwool also cut down on the echo big time, as well as reduced the creaking noises the roof was making from...

Yea, the ventilation channel is above the foam. Everything below the foam is completely sealed up as part of the interior envelope, since I want the attic room to be conditioned same as the main shop space below. Am using Rockwool R30 ComfortBatt. Already have it all installed from the eave up...

There's basically two roofs on this building. The outer roof is vented. See this post: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/how-would-you-build-a-40x64x16-garage-in-new-england.492458/page-4#post-10744305 Insulation up against the roof deck makes sense in order to prevent a condensing...

I'm insulating the roof of my new-construction garage (climate zone 5A - Boston). I have attic trusses comprising the roof structure. The roof is unvented and sealed up nice and tight, intended to be part of the conditioned space. (I built a vented over-roof that includes R20 exterior rigid...

It's rock solid. Nary a worry.

I like the natural look too. Just not sure how quickly the treads will get dirty looking. But when the building is "done", these stairs won't see too much traffic. As for a railing, yea I'm planning to make it all removable. Probably a metal railing of some sort, either a kit or custom...

Alrighty, first time stair builder here. Went a little overkill on both staircases, but very happy with how rock solid they feel. First stair was from the ground floor up to the mezzanine. 4x LVL stringers + leftover pieces of ZIP and Advantech for the risers and treads. Very stiff feeling even...

Subtreads and risers cut from scrap Advantech and 5/8" ZIP. Glued and screwed. Very stiff feeling stairs. I'm happy. Plan is to eventually install hardwood treads. On to the second staircase, which will be from the mezzanine up to the attic. I'm now considering doing an open riser design...