Thomas Martinez

Staggering your boards distributes the stress of the butt joints so that no single weak point runs parallel to another. Running your seams directly opposite … Read more

First, know how tension works in terms of geometry. If your chain link fence sags, it’s typically because of improper spacing, not that something went … Read more

Concrete withstands compression, not so much tension. Because ground moves around and the walls sink, concrete need steel in its footings or else they’ll rip … Read more

Most people underestimate how much steel actualy goes into a concrete slab until they is standing in their driveway with a half-empty truck bed and … Read more

The problem is that stairs is geometrically confusing. It’s why most people abandon their plans before they pick up a saw. What typically happens are … Read more

When most folks begin a masonry job they envision clean lines and roughly estimate their truckload capacity based on the number of blocks. Unfortunatley, reality … Read more

When a forklift driver gives you a ‘raised eyebrow’ look while hoisting a steel coil, don’t dismiss his concern as mere awkwardness; he’s concerned about … Read more

When most homeowners plan for a roof replacement, they’re focused on wind rating or shingle color. They don’t think about weight until it becomes a … Read more

When you get to the triangle-shaped area where a roof connects to siding (the gable end), normal rectangle-based math doesn’t work. It’s an angle, not … Read more

Typically, we think of stairs as simply a pile of boards, right? Well, stairs is actualy a machine designed to move your body across space … Read more

How many times have you measured for a staircase and figured it would all fall into place? Most of the time, that’s a bad assumption. … Read more

Instead of dreaming of the perfect kitchen, you find yourself on a tiny hallway looking at a wall blocking the way. “We have to install … Read more

Shed roofs seem straightforward: just one sloping plane leaning against a wall at a slight angle. But there’s some deceptive math happening. It’s easy to … Read more

Houses are puzzle boxes of structure, and everyone learns this lesson the hard way the first time someone attempt to rip out a load bearing … Read more