What’s The Difference Between Sgraffito And Mishima? Sgraffito Overview Sgraffito is an ancient art technique which involves scratching through a layer of paint to reveal the color underneath. This technique can be used on multiple mediums, including pottery and tilework. Sgraffito is also used in fresco painting, where the artist etches designs into a layer […]
What Is A Dowel Bar Retrofit? Dowel Bar Retrofit (DBR) is a way to strengthen cracks in road pavement by inserting steel dowels into cuts made across the cracks. This technique has been effectively used by transportation departments in several U.S. states to fix issues with older jointed concrete pavements. The typical process involves cutting […]
What Is Venetian Plaster? Venetian plaster is an intricate, decorative interior plaster finish that has been used throughout history for centuries. The process of applying Venetian plaster starts with a base layer of lime putty or gypsum-based product that has been mixed with water and then applied over the substrate using trowels and various tools […]
What Is Glued Laminated Wood (Glulam)? Glued Laminated Wood (Glulam) is a structural material made of several layers of timber boards glued together in a uniform direction along their length. It is one of the oldest composite materials and can be used for large-span support elements in commercial, residential and industrial applications. Glulam offers excellent […]
What Is Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)? Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is a composite product made from thin layers of veneer aligned in the same direction along the length of the product. It is one of the most widely used engineered wood products for structural applications due to its superior strength and stability compared to solid […]
What Is Finger-Jointed Lumber? Finger-jointed lumber is an engineered wood product made from scraps of wood. The scraps are cut into short lengths, the ends are then “finger-jointed” together to form a longer and stronger piece of wood. This type of potentially waste reducing manufacturing process can be beneficial for the environment and it can […]
What Is A Plaster Of Paris? Plaster of Paris also known as Gypsum plaster is a white powdery chemical compound made from heating gypsum at a high temperature. It is commonly used for sculpting materials and in gauze bandages. Its chemical formula is CaSO4·1/2H2O. Plaster of Paris must be kept in airtight containers to prevent […]
What Is Girt (Sheeting Rail) In Construction? Girt, also known as sheeting rail, is a horizontal structural member in a framed wall used in architecture or structural engineering. It provides lateral support to the wall panel and predominantly serves to resist wind loads. Girts usually consist of either steel or timber and are connected to […]
What Is A Gypsum Board? Gypsum board, also known as drywall or wallboard, is used to construct interior walls and ceilings. It typically comes in different thicknesses varying from one-quarter inch for decorative purposes to three-quarters of an inch for acoustic sound control or insulation. Generally, the core of the gypsum board consists of gypsum […]
What Is An Apartment Building? An apartment is a self-contained housing unit that occupies part of a building, typically on a single story. The term apartment is commonly used in North America, while in the UK, the term flat is used more frequently. The housing tenure for apartments can vary, from public housing to private […]