OT Home Owners: Threadpocalypse

[TheViking85]

Originally Posted by ashtnn

More new home things. Anyone hired/used an inspector through the build process of a new home? It's a DR Horton home in South Texas, so I know they're pushing them out as fast as they can. We're up in NJ until at least 2 weeks before estimated completion. My realtor (he helped us buy there back in 2013) said that he'll go by whenever to get pictures/video for us during the process. But obviously that's not that in depth, and I'm thinking about hiring someone to make sure it's being done properly. Not sure about frequency etc. Thoughts?

As far as I know, staged inspections on new builds is relatively commonplace and generally welcome. There's even inspectors who specialize in it. Your realtor should be able to help you find someone suitable.

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[thechickencow]

Originally Posted by ashtnn

More new home things. Anyone hired/used an inspector through the build process of a new home? It's a DR Horton home in South Texas, so I know they're pushing them out as fast as they can. We're up in NJ until at least 2 weeks before estimated completion. My realtor (he helped us buy there back in 2013) said that he'll go by whenever to get pictures/video for us during the process. But obviously that's not that in depth, and I'm thinking about hiring someone to make sure it's being done properly. Not sure about frequency etc. Thoughts?

I did this before on new construction with a big water issue. (Long story).

I told the builder I needed the inspector to get in there and review, then we had the same inspector come back and be sure all of the stuff was fixed. I also personally was in there quite a bit.

I think it’s money well spent even if you pay full price now and get a list of issues to the builder. Then have them come back and ensure they are fixed or you walk. New construction should be perfect IMO.

Then I moved out of that house in 9mos and had about 10 things the new inspector found.

[constantinus]

Originally Posted by NutBucket

Yes, and get used to sliding everything to the right!

Yup! Except when you're finish work then all of a sudden you need to make up lost time from the foundation/framers/etc to try and meet project deadline. Ask me how I know...

[seanyb505]

Originally Posted by ashtnn

More new home things. Anyone hired/used an inspector through the build process of a new home? It's a DR Horton home in South Texas, so I know they're pushing them out as fast as they can. We're up in NJ until at least 2 weeks before estimated completion. My realtor (he helped us buy there back in 2013) said that he'll go by whenever to get pictures/video for us during the process. But obviously that's not that in depth, and I'm thinking about hiring someone to make sure it's being done properly. Not sure about frequency etc. Thoughts?

Also just did this. Our realtor recommended an inspector familiar with new construction. The Meritage building manager shrugged off most of the things noted on the report. Had to keep asking him to fix the items, or he ignored most of it. "Did you fix the AC taking too long to hit the correct temp differential?" "Yeah it was a simple adjustment."

Related, I would avoid Meritage as a new home builder. Very sloppy.

[TheViking85]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Also just did this. Our realtor recommended an inspector familiar with new construction. The Meritage building manager shrugged off most of the things noted on the report. Had to keep asking him to fix the items, or he ignored most of it. "Did you fix the AC taking too long to hit the correct temp differential?" "Yeah it was a simple adjustment."

Related, I would avoid Meritage as a new home builder. Very sloppy.

Sub par materials in too many cases too unfortunately.

ThermoPly just needs to be banned already.

[f4phantomii]

Originally Posted by TheViking85

Sub par materials in too many cases too unfortunately.



ThermoPly just needs to be banned already.

I had to look that up.

Is ThermoPly being used in place of plywood or OSB? Or on top of it?

I'm struggling to see how a 1/8" thick board has enough buckling strength compared to 1/2 wood.

We're building houses like aircraft now?!? That won't end well.

[NutBucket]

I want 1/8" T-6061 for my exterior sheeting...thoughts?

[TheViking85]

Originally Posted by f4phantomii

I had to look that up.

Is ThermoPly being used in place of plywood or OSB? Or on top of it?

I'm struggling to see how a 1/8" thick board has enough buckling strength compared to 1/2 wood.

We're building houses like aircraft now?!? That won't end well.

It's used in lieu of.

It's basically a 1/8' piece of compressed cardboard with some glue and vinyl on the front.

In manufacturer testing they exceed minimum requirements, but anytime anyone independent try to replicate the testing particularly in racking strength, it comes up short of code by 20-40%.

And rats love eating it.

If you do some googling, youll see plenty of images of houses in texas in particular straight up blown off foundations in high wind/hurricane scenarios due to it's lack of strenght.

[TheViking85]

General rule of thumb for looking at new builds is that you'll get a wastly superior performing house in terms of structural rigidity and air tightness with either ply/osb and traditional tyvek type weather barrier or even better, Zip system or similar pre applied sheathing.

Generally the price is also the same to the consumer.

Edit: It will DRAMATICALLY lower the number of production builders you can look at.

[mla163]

From a structural engineering POV - it is used to replace OSB. Wood got expensive in the last year. Thermoply stays consistent in price.

While it technically is as strong in shear as osb, I've strongly advised against builders using it over OSB. The structural values are "alternative facts". Don't get me started on Texas Engineers.

It is obviously not stronger in bending. The studs take all the axial load. The sheathing takes shear (lateral) load and the wind pressure.

Originally Posted by f4phantomii

I had to look that up.

Is ThermoPly being used in place of plywood or OSB? Or on top of it?

I'm struggling to see how a 1/8" thick board has enough buckling strength compared to 1/2 wood.

We're building houses like aircraft now?!? That won't end well.

[constantinus]

Cross-posting from tools thread as there are quite a few in here that do woodworking, just want to spread the love.

Originally Posted by constantinus

I'm fairly invested in DeWalt 20v tools but wanted a cordless 23ga pin nailer and they only have a 18ga brad nailer which I already had.
One of my cabinet builders highly recommended the Makita 23ga nailer,but I didn't want to have another battery format and charger.
I managed to find a $20 adapter to use dewalt 20v so I ordered the nailer on amazon for $189. Works perfectly.
Highly recommended if anyone is in need of a cordless pin nailer. The adapter I found also works with milwaukee batteries as well.





Links:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MF2VJMT

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072MKC9J7/

[TheViking85]

Originally Posted by mla163

From a structural engineering POV - it is used to replace OSB. Wood got expensive in the last year. Thermoply stays consistent in price.

While it technically is as strong in shear as osb, I've strongly advised against builders using it over OSB. The structural values are "alternative facts". Don't get me started on Texas Engineers.

It is obviously not stronger in bending. The studs take all the axial load. The sheathing takes shear (lateral) load and the wind pressure.

While looking for houses, we dismiss anyone building with it, which means we've dismissed nearly every production builder in the state

It's beyond comprehension for me that $500k+ houses are built with this junk and people actually buy them.

[orndog]

I can't say I've ever seen it. Not surprising at work since that's commercial, but I've never seen it on a home. Wonder if it's regional, or doesn't meet code here.

[TheViking85]

Originally Posted by orndog

I can't say I've ever seen it. Not surprising at work since that's commercial, but I've never seen it on a home. Wonder if it's regional, or doesn't meet code here.

It's relatively common in the south at least. From a distance it can look like Tyvek covering though.

It's literally stapled in place man. It's ridiculous.

[orndog]

Originally Posted by TheViking85

It's relatively common in the south at least. From a distance it can look like Tyvek covering though.

It's literally stapled in place man. It's ridiculous.

I'm in the south Everything I've seen around here, and I shopped new construction 2 years ago, was your standard wood construction with a wrap. Of course, local code in my county is going to vary from others, as will enforcement.

[f4phantomii]

I've never seen it or even heard of it.

But yeah, if I ever have to move, I'll be damn sure not to buy a house with that stuff.

It would never meet hurricane code here. The windows have to be good for 2x4 impacts. No way the ThermoPly would meet that.

Now, if they wanted to use that stuff as sheathing on both sides of the wall, maybe. Maybe.

[Meat Supply]

around here maybe 15 years ago or so new houses were built with osb on the corners both ways just 4 feet and the rest was foam sheeting and then whatever siding. same with the rim board around the floor joists....

pretty crazy. pretty sure it's not code anymore....i think lol

[TheViking85]

When house hunting, my minimum requirement was OSB with weather barrier, full sheathing, with a strong preference for Zipsystem or LP's offering. (and ideally acoustic sealand at the sill plate, foam around rough openings etc.

If you're not looking at custom built it brings you down to maybe 2-3 builders here in the metroplex.

Even more infuriating is that it's not like they pass the savings on to the consumer, a lot of the time the better constructed houses were the cheaper ones, just because they operate based on different principles.

[thechickencow]

Couple wall pics (scroll up for before pics).

Here’s as it sits. A couple touch ups but mostly done.


And green is the mock-up for mantle, floating shelves, and a little table sort of thing under the tv.



Something in the realm of this is what the wife likes. I like spending money on mountain bikes so she gets what she wants.

[orndog]

Nice! TV looks a little low to me.

[bcblues]

Looks great!

What did you use to fill in the floor where the little walls were?

[thechickencow]

Originally Posted by bcblues

Looks great!

What did you use to fill in the floor where the little walls were?

I used wood from the floor in the cubby on the bottom right. Cut that out and spliced a few in.

Originally Posted by orndog

Nice! TV looks a little low to me.

Yeah I think it’ll come up about 6-8” I just for now mounted it where it was before, didn’t move the mount.

[SVX WRX]

Originally Posted by orndog

Nice! TV looks a little low to me.

looks perfect - TV should be eye level when sitting on the couch, not 8 feet above a fireplace so you can break your neck watching it.

same with speakers - ear level.

[thechickencow]

Originally Posted by SVX WRX

looks perfect - TV should be eye level when sitting on the couch, not 8 feet above a fireplace so you can break your neck watching it.



same with speakers - ear level.

It’s a hair low he’s right but I’m thinking about just making the holes already there for the top in the bracket the holes for the bottom. Should be perfect.

[vapore0n]

I originally thought the tile going to the ceiling would look weird, as it was to be at angle.
Now that its finished, I like it :thumbsup: