Sage-Tips

What is the best building orientation?

To make the most of the sun for warmth and natural light, your home’s main living areas (or any rooms you use a lot) should face north. The main glazing in the house, such as windows and glass doors, should also face north. Anywhere between 20°W – 30°E of true north is fine.

What does a structural engineer look for in a house?

During the inspection a licensed structural engineer will examine the foundation, infrastructure, exterior wall, insulation and building envelope of a home. They may examine the integrity of load-bearing walls, joists, beams, roofing and foundations.

How do you design a structural House?

Procedure of Structural Design

1. STEP 1: CONCEPTUAL DESIGN. In this stage, initial design of the building elements (e.g. slabs, beams, columns …etc.) is performed based on code recommendations.
2. STEP 2: DETERMINING THE INTERNAL FORCES OF EACH ELEMENT.
3. STEP 3: ITERATIVE DESIGN.
4. STEP 4: FOUNDATION DESIGN.
5. STEP 5: DRAFTING.

Can a structural engineer design a house?

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS may design any building of any type. CIVIL ENGINEERS may design any building of any type EXCEPT public schools and hospitals. UNLICENSED INDIVIDUALS may design only the following types of buildings: Single-family dwellings of not more than two stories and basement in height.

What is the best orientation for a house Why?

Homes that are oriented to the north typically receive most of their direct sunlight in the back of the building. As a result, a north-facing house may remain cooler in the summer than a south-facing one.

What rooms should be south-facing?

Rooms Facing South This is especially true in late morning to mid-afternoon when there is a lot of light coming into a south-facing room. This orientation is best for rooms that are not used as frequently, such as a garage, a laundry room, a work room, or stairs.

How do I know if my house is structurally sound?

Sagging, Sloping or Cracking of Floors Shifts in your home’s foundation will be apparent when inspecting your flooring for sagging, sloping or cracking. The greater the movement, the more likely your floors will show signs of structural imperfections.

What is the difference between a home inspector and an engineer?

The inspections structural engineers perform don’t typically cover areas such as drainage, wiring or faulty plumbing. While contractors and inspectors determine that there may be a problem present, structural engineers determine the severity of the problem and how it could impact the home.

What do structural design engineers do?

Structural engineers design buildings, bridges, and other types of structures. They build 2D and 3D models using computer-aided design technology (e.g. AutoCAD). They measure loads and presses to secure structural soundness.

Should you hire a structural engineer before remodeling your home?

You might also want to correct sloped floors or bowed walls in basements. Prior to any significant retrofitting or remodeling project, it’s important to consult a structural engineer. They can make recommendations, conduct a review and keep your newly redesigned structure from falling down around you.

How to choose the best orientation for your home?

Orientate your home to make best use of sunlight and winds. When deciding the best orientation for your home, bear in mind that the climate is warming, and hotter summers with more extreme heat waves will become the norm during its life span.

What direction should hardwood flooring be installed?

Let’s start with the types of directions there are first. The most common floor pattern is straight, also called vertical. To achieve this pattern, hardwood flooring planks are installed parallel to each other along with the length or width of your room.

Why is the selection of a good structural engineer important?

The selection of a good structural engineer is a critical component to the construction, operational efficiency and overall cost of the structure. Not all structural engineers are the same.