A Big Brother

A Big Brother We strive for high quality workmanship & reasonable rates.

With 20+ years experience in Home Improvements, we specialize in Kitchen and Bath Renovations, Finished Basements, Deck Design/Builds, advanced knowledge of Plumbing and Electrical systems.

02/14/2026

I’m gonna have some of

10/19/2025

Based on the image provided, this is a detailed technical drawing titled "Attaching Ledger Directly to Band Joist". It is a cross-section diagram that illustrates the correct and safe method for attaching a wooden deck ledger board to a house's framing, specifically a band joist, while ensuring proper waterproofing and drainage.

Key Components and Features

* House Structure (left side):
* Foundation wall: The base of the house's structure.
* Band joist: A key framing member that runs horizontally at the end of the floor joists. The ledger board is attached to this.
* Insulation: Insulation is shown within the floor joist cavity.
* Siding: The exterior wall finish.
* Housewrap or building paper: A moisture barrier installed behind the siding to protect the wall sheathing.

* Deck Structure (right side):
* PT deck ledger: The "PT" stands for pressure-treated. This is the main board that the deck is attached to. It is bolted directly to the house's band joist.
* PT deck joist: The pressure-treated deck joists are attached to the ledger board.
* Large drainage gap: A space is left between the ledger and the house's siding. This is a critical detail that allows any water that gets behind the flashing to drain away, preventing rot.

* Attachment and Waterproofing:
* Hot-dipped galvanized lag screw: The diagram shows a large "1/2" x 3 1/2" hot-dipped galvanized lag screw" used to attach the ledger to the band joist. Hot-dipped galvanized screws are used for their corrosion resistance. The size is specified for structural integrity.
* Flashing: A piece of metal "Flashing" is shown installed over the ledger and behind the housewrap. Its purpose is to direct water away from the ledger and the house's framing.
* Peel-and-stick bituminous flashing membrane: This adhesive membrane is applied to the band joist and over the flashing. It provides an additional layer of moisture protection, sealing the area where the ledger attaches to the house.

Purpose and Function

This diagram serves as a best-practice guide for builders and DIYers. It highlights several critical steps and components that are necessary to prevent structural damage, rot, and moisture intrusion when building a deck attached to a house. The method shown, with proper flashing, a drainage gap, and the use of corrosion-resistant fasteners, is designed to ensure the connection is both strong and durable for the long term. This is a common detail in building codes and professional construction to prevent deck failures.

10/16/2025

The image is an educational diagram that explains the terminology and calculation of a roof's pitch and the components of a rafter. It shows two scenarios for roof framing: one without a central ridge board and one with a ridge board.

Common Terminology and Dimensions:

The diagram labels the key components of a rafter and its relationship to the roof's geometry:

* Rafter Length: The total length of the rafter from the ridge to the exterior wall.
* Run: The horizontal distance from the outer face of the wall to the center point of the roof (where the rafter meets the ridge).
* Rise: The vertical distance from the top of the wall to the peak of the roof.
* Tail or Eave: The part of the rafter that extends beyond the exterior wall, forming the roof overhang.
* Tail Run: The horizontal distance of the overhang.
* Plumb Cut: The vertical cut at the top of the rafter that allows it to fit snugly against the adjacent rafter or the ridge board.
* 90°: This indicates the square cut at the bottom of the rafter where it rests on the wall plate.

Scenario A: Without Ridge (Top Diagram):

* This diagram shows a roof frame where two opposing rafters meet directly at the peak.
* They are connected directly to each other, forming a triangular structure without a central ridge board. This method is often used for simple sheds or outbuildings.

Scenario B: With Ridge (Bottom Diagram):

* This diagram shows the more common and structurally sound method for building a roof.
* The rafters do not meet each other directly. Instead, they are attached to a vertical board at the peak, which is called the ridge board (though it is not explicitly labeled, its function is clear from the connection). The plumb cut of the rafter butts against this ridge board.
* This method provides a continuous, straight ridge line and strengthens the overall roof structure.

Roof Pitch Formula:

At the bottom of the image, a formula is provided to calculate the roof pitch:

* INCH RISE PER FOOT RUN = (RISE x 12) / RUN

This is the standard method for expressing roof pitch in the United States and Canada. It is a ratio that describes how many inches the roof rises for every 12 inches (one foot) it runs horizontally. For example, a "6/12 pitch" means the roof rises 6 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal run.
Summary:

The image is a concise and informative guide to basic roof framing. It clearly defines the essential terms (run, rise, rafter length) and visually compares two common framing techniques (with and without a ridge board). Most importantly, it provides the universal formula for calculating roof pitch, making it a valuable tool for anyone in construction, architecture, or DIY home improvement.

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Middleburg Heights, OH
44130

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+14409155344

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