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Avatar for Homemade Design
Homemade Design
3.7(
322
)
Major Home Repairs (General Contractor)

Serving Red Oak, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

Credit card accepted

"I never contacted the provider or used this service in anyway. I have to
write this review so that the request to write this review stops
popping up.
The rating is bogus as it is required to be able to submit.
"
Pennsylvania Master Bathroom
Boston Small Condo Kitchen
California Client Saves with HMD Designer Discounts
Recommended by54%of homeowners
Avatar for A Cut Above The Rest Contractors
A Cut Above The Rest Contractors
1.3(
2
)
Major Home Repairs (General Contractor)

Serving Red Oak, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Welcome to A Cut Above The Rest Contractors. We are the premier professional home improvement company. We offer the highest quality and most attentive customer service. We are known to pay exquisite attention to detail, while making customer satisfaction our top priority. Whether your project involves minor repairs or a completely new replacement or installation, we are glad to be your number one choice. \n\nPlease call us today to schedule your appointment!

Needs Updated
Completed Update
original 1980s bathroom
Renovated with modern ammenities
Tile Backsplash

+7

Response time4 hrs
Response rate100%
Showing 1-10 of 15
Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts

Yes, you can find ceiling joists using simple tools if a stud finder isn't available.

Using a hammer requires patience and a keen ear. Gently tap the ceiling in a grid pattern, listening for sound changes. A hollow sound indicates space between joists, while a solid, dull thud suggests a joist. Mark the location with a pencil and confirm by tapping from different angles.

Alternatively, you can use a nail, but this method will leave small holes. You'll feel increased resistance when the nail hits a joist. Mark the spot and repeat the process every 16 or 24 inches to map the joist locations. This method is considered less reliable than using a stud finder.

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.

A-frame homes are on the smaller side. While there’s no set square footage amount it has to be, it will usually come in around 1,000 square feet or smaller.

There are approximately 5.33 board feet in a 2x4. You can use the board foot calculator in this article to easily find the answer. A 2x4 is 2 inches of thickness by 4 inches of width, so you need to find the length, with 8 feet being the most common. You’d use the calculator here to multiply 2 times 4 times 8, and then divide by 12, arriving at a total of 5.33 board feet. 

Using a steel frame may raise the value of your home. Steel is more heat resistant, has better longevity, and doesn’t need any upkeep compared to traditional wood. You can also customize a steel build a little easier than other materials like brick, concrete, and vinyl—which have trouble bending and adapting to renovations.

The Red Oak, IA homeowners’ guide to contractor services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.