Recent content by platinum_jello

Yeah, stick frame was my original goal, but the realities of budget and life being what they are, here I am. Using reference figures for what the plywood, 2x6 framing and insulation would add up to put me about 4.7 or 5.2 psf, I don't remember the exact figure. Either way, it was over four...

Well, the place that built the trusses is a smaller shop that doesn't have an engineer on staff. They (like many) use design software from Alpine who makes the nail plates. Alpine lists engineering services on their website, so I called and called until I finally got a gentleman down in Florida...

So I, like apparently many, ended up with a building with insufficient ratings on my trusses. When I told the builder I didn't want them to put a ceiling on, they took that as I didn't want to put any ceiling on. As a result, I ended up with what I generally refer to as a plain old barn truss...

So, I asked them about this, wondering how it could be used to replace the steel, and they told me this is different than regular fiber in that it is engineered to replace traditional reinforcements. They had a sample on-hand and it indeed had the normal wispy white fibers in there alongside...

Good info, I appreciate it. The heaviest I can surmise would be a smaller forklift, but even that isn't a guarantee at this stage.

I like the idea, reinforcement spread throughout vs only every couple of feet, but there's just a big pucker factor I'm struggling with. Also, people talk about 'heavy equipment', and I'm not sure what qualifies. I both own and restore machinery as a primary purpose of this shop, so we're...

Local Ready-Mix company is recommending this product as a replacement for the rebar in my shop slab. Current spec is to do 1/2" rebar (2' spacing) with traditional fiber mesh in a 6" heated slab, and they are saying this newer mesh product is actually engineered to replace traditional...

When it comes to the shrinkage part of the conversation, it seems like pouring around posts is generally a bad plan, that one should instead board that off so you're just putting down a slab with 4 flat sides.. I'll have to go do some reading to what people normally do and possibly add some...

:)

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Checking back in as things are moving along... Thanks, I've read your guide a few times now, it's been a great help. So what say you about 2' spacing of #4 vs mesh? Water is the next big neurosis I've been cultivating. Unfortunately, it's one of those topics...

The condensate thing is a bit odd to me too, but I doubt I'll pass an inspection by promising I'll run the bucket inside to drain. :)

And to be clear, my idea was just to have the dedicated boiler in the basement for the shop, not to incorporate it into the house HVAC or replace the furnace... I mean I'm not against the concept I guess, but it's not a primary objective at the moment and the last thing I need is more scope...

Well, my basement already has gas plumbed in, so there's savings there. Also, since the condensate from the boiler needs to go into the sanitary/septic for some reason, the shop proves challenging (my septic system is on the exact opposite end of the house). Since the basement already has floor...

For plumbing reasons, someone recommended I run the boiler for my building's radiant floor in my basement, and just run the supply and return out to the shop underground (well insulated, of course). Do people do this? I'm not sold it's a great idea, but I'm also not convinced it's unworkable...