Home Improvement Today?

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Sorry I forgot. Canada is not on the east coast. Fine then What do you use in Canada a

 

new construction (pretty much all I've done the past 25-35 years):

1st, of course check R/O for size
then make any sill adjustment necessary (sometimes I'll build up for wood or tile flooring as necessary so not to eliminate the sill thickness) the build up is usually 1/2" or 3/4" in treated plywood or treated dimensional lumber.

I ALWAYS check the sill for level, and make necessary adjustments, this makes the head level, and always gives me a good margin between top of door and head jamb. the door jamb sides can be level and the head jamb could still not be. (rookies make this mistake commonly)

if the door has brick moulding, after applying a good sill sealant (silicone usually) I'll stand her up in the opening...plumb the side jambs, and tack in place through the brick moulding with a few finish nails.

then I check margins...open and close her a few times, check sweep...then I'll shim and run a few screws through the hinges on the hinge side (some exterior hinges have a pre drilled hole for this, others...I remove a hinge jamb screw)

then, I adjust and shim the latch side (at least 3, top-mid-bottom, many times more) I Also always shim and attach the head jamb.

keep in mind, as part of the shimming...I also "rack" the frame in and out (minimally) at the 4 corners to allow the door to come to a close against the stop strip/jamb stop/weather stripping, squarely.

after I'm happy with the closure and margins...I'll go outside and nail off the brick moulding, or apply scheduled casings.

I'll add...here in Florida, most new door manufactures have specific installation instructions that HAVE to be followed to pass inspection by the building dept. this, in most cases (including mine) has us install a 3" min screw every 12 inches on both side jambs and the head jamb...and one has to be within 6" of the top & bottom.

I believe that covers it, except for interior finish/casings.

I'm typing fast so may have left out a detail

 

Are those vinyl ?

 

Interesting

 

yeah but wordy. I did my best. Easier to show it than explain it in words. but you know that.

something you do different?

 

Exactly. I have trouble explaining how I do things. But I love to teach people

But I can only do it hands on

Here. Buy these. Haha





That's the best way I can describe how I do things.

This is one of the people who have taught me everything I know

The other is my father who taught my uncle ever thing he thinks he knows

 

I'm 3rd gen carpenter...learned most of what I know from dad...and a few other men who mentored me in the trades when I was a young man.

I'm a trim and cabinet man by trade, and at 53 still learn from others. It's the beauty of carpentry, every project teaches you something. Its kept my interest for over 40 years.

 

Pretty similar

 

I've read some of Gary Katz's articles

 

because there aren't many ways to do it right

btw, this past winter, building my new home...I installed all the windows in the main house, myself...and installed the double patio doors on the back porch, myself.

I had 2 carpenters helping me out with some framing punch out and exterior trim work...told them to go ahead and install the front door (simple single 3/0 x 6/8 fiberglass door with 3/4 glass)...

after they went home that evening, I spent some time "tweaking" their install.

 

Haha honesty. And what you think ?

I don't all ways see eye to eye with my uncle

I feel he's more shop based and his ideas work in a perfect world

But in the field I feel you have to be able to solve problems on the fly and some times just make things work even if it's not 100% perfect

 

As long as the costumer is happy Is truly all that matters.

And that you are proud of what you built and the craftsmanship of your work

 

That's your uncle ?

Interesting indeed

I agree that not all techniques transfer from shop to site , but many do , or form the basis of a good approach to site work

 

just finished putting laminate flooring downstairs in my parents house. Now I'm gunna do upstairs, replace the carpet on the stairs with hardwood treads and risers and maybe put tile in the parents' bathroom if time allows. All getting me closer to paying off the taco

 

I agree

My great grandfather was an architect , my grandfather a general contractor , mason by trade , my uncle and dad carpenters and now there's me

 

Im going to have to get those books. I am getting ready to replace 1/2 of the interior doors in my house this fall. The other half once the wife decides on the flooring for second story of the house.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I'm cheap so I just put in a request at the library so I can check them out B4 spending $. Thanks again.

 

Good call on the library I am going to have to check there first.

 

Respectfully, I don't necessarily agree with the fist sentence.

Most home buyers don't know squat. And honestly, all they see is the granite and appliances and tile and light fixtures. Plus once decorated...most crappy finish work disappears.

I have really seen the bar lowered in the market place. and, I'm not just talking tract housing. I see McMansions built for crap. Yes, when done they have all the bling, but I watch them go up and many (most) are going to be an expensive and full time repair gig down the road.

I have been in multi-million dollar new custom homes with out of square tile or wood flooring...doors that don't open/close properly...improperly installed trim/mill work...and stairways with inconsistent treads/risers...and handrails that I wouldn't trust. And I just scratched the surface...

my point is...all those customers "are happy". And the builder doesn't care about the structual (so long as it gets through inspection)...the mechanical...and especially the finishing work.

Customer is happy...got the check...when the windows leak, or roof leaks...they can handle that through insurance. (I actually heard this once)

The second part of your post I agree with. I build every home like it is my own. I care about every little detail as if I was going to have ownership/maintenance down the road.

Most don't. Heck...most builders are not hands on, and manage the construction from an office across town. Some never seen the inside of many of their homes. Serious.