Slate tile roof coverings are more expensive than common composite asphalt shingle roof coverings and for good reason: slate is more attractive (this is a personal preference), slate tiles last much longer (50-100 years or more depending on the quality… Read More
Author Archives: Jerry Prugar
Memorial Day – 2014
How can we honor those who gave their lives in the service of their fellow countrymen and countrywomen? I think President Abraham Lincoln gave the best answer to THAT question in his Gettysburg Address Four score and seven years ago… Read More
Old Fracture or New Fracture?
Roof framing that has been exposed to a substantial weight of ice and snow exhibits fractures (see the featured photograph). Were the fractures caused by the recent accumulation of ice and snow? How can the history (age) of a wood… Read More
Clay Brick Expansion – It is Real
I just attended a webinar about movement joints in masonry. The topics included the different types of movement joints (isolation, expansion, and contraction); why the need for movement joints; and where to place movement joints. I’ve been designing, detailing, and… Read More
Eternal Life Instead of Everlasting Death
My Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters, We were planning to meet together in our respective churches this week and commemorate what we have received: eternal life instead of everlasting death. We are instead experiencing a hands-on workshop displaying to us… Read More
Happy St. Patrick’s Day – March 17, 2020
Corned beef and cabbage, parades, green beer, and smiles everywhere, who wouldn’t love St. Patrick’s Day? But who was St. Patrick? Traditional history records that Patrick was born to Roman parents circa 387 in the imperial province of Britannia of… Read More
What Can Happen to Unbraced Wood Truss Web Members? Part III
So, to continue on from last weeks post. How did we know that the wood trusses had buckled sideways previously and were reset? Examination of the top chord in the featured photograph shows two nails saw off flush with the… Read More