141–150 of 323 posts
Not that anything about this shed is built to code, but this takes the cake: > PRO TIP Use screws for everything; if you mess up, remove the screws and redo it; with nails, it’s a lot harder to do that. You absolutely should not do this for framing, and most building codes specify the type and size of nails that you must use when fastening load-bearing structural components. Screws are convenient, sure, but they are…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I enjoyed building it, but the primary motivation was to have the additional space
So basically there was no dedicated room inside the house for WFH before? When you use your shed, what are the aspects that you came to value? E.g. is it more about the feeling of nature (because the garden is much closer) or is it more about the sound-separation from the rest of the home? Or would you be as happy with a dedicated room within your house?
I was previously working from our bedroom. The main downside was if I wanted to start working while my wife was still asleep.
> When you use your shed, what are the aspects that you came to value? E.g. is it more about the feeling of nature (because the garden is much closer) or is it more about the sound-separation from the rest of the home? Or would you be as happy with a dedicated room within your house?
Sound separation, and not needing to work for my room that also has another purpose. But a dedicated room with in a house is better for me, and when one became available I started working from there instead of the shed.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I can comment on the second portion of this issue- never run Cat cables in parallel with electric cable. You are forcing low voltage and high voltage cables to share their electromagnetic field. That’s never a good thing. It can lead to unstable connection all the way to frying your Ethernet card.
Good news: he ran a 100ft cat6 cable so that he could plug in a wireless access point. His ethernet card should be fine.
Not that anything about this shed is built to code, but this takes the cake: > PRO TIP Use screws for everything; if you mess up, remove the screws and redo it; with nails, it’s a lot harder to do that. You absolutely should not do this for framing, and most building codes specify the type and size of nails that you must use when fastening load-bearing structural components. Screws are convenient, sure, but they are…
As much as everyone loves to complain about red tape, building codes have a lot of useful info. Even if you're not going to pull permits (at your own risk) it's useful to be aware of what code requires and why. Specific examples from the post: * Plywood thickness required for floor decking * Min roof slope for asphalt shingles * Drip edge, where it's required and how to install it * Roof drainage - probably doesn't m…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Keep in mind, while yes this is a huge code issue mixing low voltage and high voltage - ‘it depends’ in a lot of jurisdictions on other elements. Following is for other folks running across this, in case it helps them. At least in California, I’m pretty sure it’s code compliant to use rated non-metallic conduit for outside high voltage runs for instance. That conduit is made of PVC. It’s the grey plastic electrical c…
Ah yes, I know about the grey PVC but spaced on it. Typically this is for external runs bolted to the side of a building though. Or at least, that’s almost all I ever see it used for. Can you use it for open air horizontal runs? Say between two buildings? Data you want shielded, for the reasons I stated. Stringing Ethernet between buildings often ends in tears.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
This still doesn’t explain why overlapping rooflines are actually problematic, though. I have always wondered this myself, as I actually own a house with a detached garage where the previous owner and next door neighbor put an easement on file that allowed the next door neighbor (whose ground level is about 5 feet higher via a retaining wall) to build an outbuilding very close to the property line with the roofline h…
It’s a “this is why we can’t have nice things” situation. There’s no physics problem with overlapping that I know of, but it’s a giant loophole for people who are up to no good. It’s not so much that you shouldn’t be able to do it as that there’s no way we can do it without a permit.
Not that anything about this shed is built to code, but this takes the cake: > PRO TIP Use screws for everything; if you mess up, remove the screws and redo it; with nails, it’s a lot harder to do that. You absolutely should not do this for framing, and most building codes specify the type and size of nails that you must use when fastening load-bearing structural components. Screws are convenient, sure, but they are…
house > shed shed > ?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
You just went from concerned citizen, to person with anger management issues lashing out. If your thoughts here were in good faith, you would help the author learn about code compliance so that he could make the necessary modifications and learn about the real-world consequences of not being in compliance. Instead you're making a threat to send code enforcement after him so that he can be punished for being ignorant.…
The punishment for building code violations is death. The building code enforcement is a lot more lenient in comparison.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> being handy is good but knowing code is critical for some things The subject of building code seems vast. How can you get to the point where you even know what you don't know?
The simple answer is testing. When you go to school you get a test that certifies you have a basic knowledge. It may not cover every aspect but will teach you where to find the answers you don’t know.
A while back I looked briefly into what it would take to be an electrician, and it seemed like there was quite a lot to know. I wonder how soon you get to the stage where you could wire up a shed like this with full confidence that you've done everything to code.
From there, how many other subjects do you have to get right? I learned how to swing a hammer as a kid but I wouldn't know jack about designing load bearing structures, weather proofing, foundations, hanging windows and doors, etc — let alone plumbing, HVAC, etc.