Buildings, materials, and how they stand up
Fire-Rated Plywood: FRT Panels, Ratings and Specification
Learn what FRT plywood labels establish, when an hourly assembly rating is needed, and how treatment affects structural capacity, exposure and installation.
By Clara Voss · 2026-09-30Latest
Fire Resistance Materials in Building: Specify the Assembly
Compare gypsum, concrete, masonry, steel protection and mass timber, with the assembly details, joints and penetrations needed to document fire resistance.
What Is Concrete Made Of? Ingredients and Their Roles
Concrete combines cement, water, sand and stone. Learn how aggregates, admixtures, water ratio and curing affect strength and construction.
Insulated Concrete Forms Homes: Benefits, Limits and Details
How ICF homes affect wall thickness, structure, openings, waterproofing, services, finishes, cost and construction sequencing.
Interlocking Retaining Wall Blocks: Design and Detailing
How to detail interlocking retaining wall blocks, including height, setback, base, embedment, drainage, geogrid, surcharges and inspection.
How to Tell if a Wall Is Load Bearing
Identify a possible load-bearing wall by tracing joists, roof framing and supports—then verify it before cutting, drilling or demolition.
How to Tell If a Wall Is Load Bearing
Follow joists, roof framing and support below to assess whether a wall is load bearing, then learn which clues cannot safely authorize removal.
More articles
How to Find Out If a Wall Is Load Bearing
Learn to trace loads above, below and along a wall, read framing clues, check other structural roles and know when professional verification is required.
ICF Walls: Insulating Concrete Form Anatomy and Details
How ICF walls combine reinforced concrete and continuous foam—and how to detail thickness, openings, attachments, waterproofing and placement.
Insulated Concrete Forms Materials: What ICF Walls Contain
See what an ICF wall is made of, from EPS forms and webs to concrete, rebar, bucks, membranes and finishes, plus what drawings must specify.
Using Insulated Concrete Forms: Design and Construction Guide
How to coordinate ICF core size, reinforcement, openings, embeds, concrete placement, waterproofing, finishes and trade work.
Boulder Retaining Walls: Design, Drainage and Construction
How to size, drain, detail and inspect a boulder retaining wall—and when geotechnical and structural engineering should lead the process.
Concrete Lintel Types, Sizing, Bearing and Detailing
Learn how to choose a concrete lintel by system, loads, span and bearing, then coordinate reinforcement, installation, drainage and thermal details at openings.
Concrete Masonry Unit Wall: Design and Detailing Guide
How to lay out and detail a CMU wall for structure, movement, moisture, insulation, openings and construction coordination.
Window Lintel Types, Sizing, Bearing and Details
Learn how to choose and detail a window lintel by wall assembly, opening, bearing, loads, deflection, drainage, corrosion and thermal continuity.
Cement Blocks for a Shed Foundation: What Works
How to detail a shed foundation on concrete blocks, including bearing area, support layout, drainage, frost movement, wood clearance and anchorage.
Concrete Brick: Standards, Sizes and Wall Details
Learn which ASTM standard applies to concrete brick, how dimensions affect coursing, and what anchored, adhered and structural assemblies require.
Manufactured Stone Veneer: Detail the Assembly, Not Just the Finish
How to detail manufactured stone veneer, from WRB and lath to mortar, flashing, clearances, movement joints and product verification.
Slab Piers for Settled Concrete Floors
Learn when slab piers suit a settled concrete floor, how push and helical systems differ, and what engineers should verify before installation.