I thought that I could simply build a loft in my high-ceiling living room with little to no help, but that was a mistaken assumption.
I was told that I could get in a lot of trouble by doing any structural modifications without the proper permits and inspections to insure that the work is being up to code.
That started a discussion with my best friend about what kind of wood I’d be permitted to use if I undertook such a project myself instead of hiring a separate company to do it instead. For instance, do I have to buy expensive two-by-six or two-by-twelve inch boards to make it structurally sound, or can I get away with cheaper two-by-four wooden boards. Those are engineering questions at the end of the day and I realize that I’m definitely not an engineer. It got me thinking about the engineering questions that go into designing and building a large bridge or an apartment building. For instance, the concrete being used for these structures is held together internally by metal rebar that is strategically placed in the right places to keep everything together. If any cracking forms, the rebar tie wire will prevent it from spreading or getting worse. The reason you see these concrete causeways last for decades in coastal areas is because of the type of rebar tie wire used. It’s not just a question about using stainless steel or black annealed rebar wire versus traditional steel because there’s a question of size. There are common sizes like 14 gauge, 16 gauge, and 18 gauge rebar wire coils that can be bought and used for any number of different applications.