I've tried several times to write posts about architecture, but even more fundamental to the average reader considering remodeling or building new are the principles of good construction. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a good video is literally thousands of pictures, so video is ideal, right? BAS Renovations on YouTube has a phenomenal series of shorts which absolutely fit that ideal. It doesn't hurt that they're also entertaining. His pacing is rapid due to the format, but no time is wasted, and provide a solid understanding of both how and why for typical residential structure design.
CONTENT WARNING: This post is by an American and about another American. Imperial units are inevitable. For readers in the rest of the world, deal with it. The principles are the same in metric.
Back when I was a kid in the midwest, concrete blocks were the common basement wall material. Also known as Concrete Masonry Units (CMU), these require skill to properly build, but can be done with basic manual labor and a few tools. In recent years, it has become more and more common to build a foundation using poured concrete between forms to create a monolithic wall. There are pros and cons to both, and both require similar reinforcement considerations
Have you ever really thought about floors? Probably not, unless something went wrong, or you realized there was an odd resonance or bounciness as you walked on a weak one. Maximum allowable deflection is measured as the length between bearing points divided by the distance the floor is allowed to shift vertically based on the average loads it is expected to handle. For X pounds per square foot, the code minimum is typically the length of the span divided by 360. This applies to standard milled lumber framing or engineered products. The American Wood Council offers a web-based span calculator where you can select wood species, deflection limit, loads, joist spacing, and more to get a maximum span, but I would advise hiring a structural engineer to verify anyway.
A good design and good materials cannot overcome poor construction. Whether required by local code or not, hire an independent building inspector to make sure no one is cutting corners on a project. Most tradesmen take pride in their work, so hiring the right people to design and build should avoid most issues, but mistakes and miscommunication can still happen. Make sure it's built right from the start, and a lot of future problems and expenses can be avoided.
I don't know how often the "skylift" he demonstrates here will be needed, but the rules about roof penetration matter everywhere. Attic vents, chimneys, plumbing vents, and more are common on a roof, and each one is a point of failure if not built right from the start.
When building or remodeling, it is absolutely essential to install doors, windows, and structural headers for any other purposes correctly. Partition walls do not bear weight, but still require proper framing. Load-bearing walls are absolutely critical. I cringe internally whenever I hear house-flippers casually discuss "opening up a space" in older homes by knocking down walls without any consideration for the hidden structure. Consult a structural engineer!
I hope these selected clips have piqued your interest. He uploads regularly, and covers many more topics than this post can highlight. If you want no-nonsense explanations, delve into his feed. You won't regret it!
Title image created in Canva
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