Cement Tile, a Time Honored Tradition
Posted on March 9, 2015 Leave a Comment
Cement tile is a fantastic way of adding color, personality, and excitement to any space. Authentic cement tile is hand poured by artisans from around the globe; no single tile is exactly the same. Big box stores have caught on, and now produce ceramic tile that mimics some of today’s most popular cement tile patterns. Ceramics are less costly and don’t have the same sealing requirements as cement tile, but with mass/mechanized production, the human touch is lost. In terms of durability, cement tile lasts a long time! There are successful installs all over the world, hundreds of years old, that still look impeccable. I saw this personally on my trip recent trip to Italy and France. Historically ceramics of similar age, haven’t held up as well. Read More
Rebar Spacing Made Easy
Posted on March 7, 2015 Leave a Comment
Art Villarreal of EcoSafe Spaces Design+Build, surveys the scene of an urban infill project in the Brentwood neighborhood of Austin, TX.
Doug Cameron is a Healthy, High-Performance Builder & Remodeler with EcoSafe Spaces Design+Build in Austin, TX.
Good, Fast, Cheap: Pick Two
Posted on February 28, 2015 Leave a Comment
Fast and cheap doesn’t always equal bad, just most of the time…
What do you see wrong with the pictures below? I see potential building failure… Read More
Water Proofing: Why What You Don’t See Matters!
Posted on February 20, 2015 Leave a Comment
Doug Cameron is a Healthy, High-Performance Builder & Remodeler with EcoSafe Spaces in Austin, TX.
Flood Resistant, Fire Resistant Homes that are Healthy
Posted on February 17, 2015 Leave a Comment
I’ve been giving a lot of thought lately to flood resistant, fire resistant houses. My neighborhood in Austin, TX experienced a 100 year flood, last year. Though my house was spared, over 100 other homes in my neighborhood were not so lucky. Surrounding areas experienced significantly more flooded homes. So watching the costly and inconvenient renovations that followed really got me thinking. Is it possible to make a water resistant home, and why we’re at it, fire resistant? And, I’d like to keep it healthy.
R-Guard via Prosoco
My Notes: AIA Roofing Technology Course “From B to T” Presented by Edis T. Oliver PE
Posted on February 4, 2015 Leave a Comment
1. Low slope structural concrete roofs require a vapor barrier. Asphalt can act as an adhesive and vapor barrier.2015 International Builder’s Show
Posted on January 15, 2015 Leave a Comment
Heading out to Las Vegas next week for the 2015 International Builders Show!
Booths representing vendors and educators from around the world will be on hand to talk shop via classes and demonstrations. This “exclusive to the building industry” trendsetting annual show, last for three full days Jan.20-22.
I’m most looking forward to the building science classes, as well as seeing and touching all the newest products. Interestingly enough John Gruden, the football coach and analyst, is the keynote speaker for the opening ceremony.
Here is a link to the event: http://www.buildersshow.com/Home/
Doug Cameron is a Healthy, High-Performance Builder & Remodeler with EcoSafe Spaces in Austin, TX.
Notes from “Perfect Wall” presentation by Matt Risinger & Architect Eric Rauser
Posted on January 2, 2015 Leave a Comment
AIA SummerCamp 2015:
Notes from “Perfect Wall” presentation by Matt Risinger & Architect Eric Rauser 
Fully adhered control layer on the outside
2 layers of 2″ rigid foam on exterior walls
2 layers of 3″ exterior rigid on roof
3 minis with no ducts
Erv + dehu
Comfort hit all in one zone
Churning air to utility room to counter stack effect
Long screws really hard to install
Clever floor plug loophole 😉
Heck of a home!
McMansion Surveys: Design & Compatibility Standards of Austin, TX
Posted on November 12, 2014 Leave a Comment
Austin, TX has some very particular design standards when it comes to preventing inter-city Monster houses, aka McMansions. Read More
