Flooring

Regardless of the location or build season, today’s interior built environments have a common design goal to create microenvironments that are humidity and temperature controlled. Generally speaking, Americans have come to expect a standard of residential interiors that remain between 68-75 degrees, on average, across all US climate zones. In response, all building assemblies adjust…

When you’re building a dream home, the things you can see might consume your thoughts. Whether you’re choosing the perfect paint shade or custom cabinetry, much of your planning time will be spent dwelling over décor details. And, why not? It’s these small touches that will make a new, custom home undeniably yours. But focusing…

Advancements in framing and insulation coupled with a desire to build tighter, more energy efficient, durable homes has created a lot of consideration in evolving wall assemblies. But as finishing materials become more sophisticated, there may be a need to look down — to the flooring system. If I asked you to think about vapor…

In engineering, deflection refers to how much a structural element will bend from its original positioning when a load is applied to the element. More specifically, for home subfloors, it indicates how much bounce or sag the floor endures under the weight of people or furniture. That movement can result in squeaks and, with too…

Multifamily buildings must meet code requirements for fire resistance between dwelling units, both horizontally (i.e., side by side) and vertically (i.e., above and below). They also need to meet requirements for acoustical performance such that sound transmission between dwelling units is controlled or minimized. The divisions between dwelling units can vary depending on the types…

Every day builders face decisions on the jobsite that affect the integrity of their craft and the bottom line for their business. In some cases, minor changes can mean major savings, but for Saussy Burbank — a semi-custom homebuilder in the Carolinas — the decision to switch from AdvanTech® subflooring to a lower-quality OSB led to increased warranty claims, frustrated…