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When deciding if you should use 2x6 or 2x8 deck joists, consider the size of the deck, joist spacing, and materials. Larger decks, larger-spaced joists, and weaker wood all require more support, meaning they need larger joists. For example, 2x8 redwood joists spaced 16 inches apart can only safely span up to 10 feet and 7 inches. On the other hand, 2x10 southern pine joists spaced 12 inches apart can be as big as 16 feet and 2 inches. If you aren’t sure what size joist is best for your project, speak with your deck builder.

Framing most homes takes anywhere between five and eight weeks to complete. You’ll need to account for inclement weather conditions, material shipment times, the number of crew members, and the weight of your materials. If the weather is too hot, wet, or cold for the installation, this process could take closer to eight weeks.

The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.

When choosing a drywall anchor, consider the weight of the object you're hanging and how much weight the anchor will need to support. The heavier the weight, the stronger the anchor you'll need. You’ll find the weight capacity on the packaging when shopping for anchors. 

Also, remember that you can use more than one anchor when hanging something on the wall. If you're using multiple anchors, divide the object weight by the number of anchors to determine how much each will need to support. If you need help deciding which drywall anchor to use, you can hire a handyperson to hang your objects.