Magnetic Paint!

How it works? Magnetized metal flakes. It is a primer. So you apply any paint finish you want - including chalk board paint.



This one can be a fun and easy project for your kids' rooms. Enjoy!

Bay Windows Turned into Garage Doors

Trying to add parking to your San Francisco real estate? Simple, turn those beautiful bay windows into retractable walls.

  

Corey and Ben McMills of McMills Construction had a problem.  Their investment property on Oak Street, near Ashbury and facing the Panhandle of Golden Gate Park, needed to have a garage built to enhance his tenant’s use of the building and maximize their rent.  Parking, as is true in much of San Francisco, is hard to find in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood and is almost more valuable than living space.  They turned to Beausoleil Architects for help.

The project still needs a little finish carpentry and painting, but you can get the idea in the photos and video below.

    

Garage door closed                                             Garage door open

Detention Pond / Retention Pond

You like potato, I like potahto; you like tomato, I like tomahto. But oh, if it comes to detention and retention, let's not call the whole thing off.

A detention pond is a low lying area designed to temporarily hold a set amount of water while slowly draining to another location. They are more or less around for flood control when large amounts of rain could cause flash flooding if not dealt with properly. 
A retention pond is designed to hold a specific amount of water indefinitely.  Usually the pond is designed to have drainage leading to another location when the water level gets above the pond capacity, but still maintains a certain capacity.
How to remember which is which? A trick I use. If one gets detained, it is until they get bailed. If one is retained, who knows! 

Extracted from this article. Happy Friday.

Hands-free sinks, Hindrance in Hospital Infection Control

A telling research on handsfree sinks by Johns Hopkins Hospital. This is the 2^nd research I’ve encountered with negative results.

Thought you would find this interesting. “…(hands-free sinks) were more likely to be contaminated with one of the most common and hazardous bacteria in hospitals compared to old-style fixtures with separate handles for hot and cold water.”

For full article published by Johns Hopkins Medicine, click here.

7 Ways to save in Steel Construction

Did you know?

Steel construction represents 10% of the total project costs. Of that 10%, only 20-40% is the cost of the material itself. The other 60-80% goes to fabrication and erection. A few tips for your next building here.

1. Use Standard Lengths

2. Don't pay for primed or painted steel

3. Use BIM but only when everyone is on board

4. Make sure fabricators are certified

5. Know the details of what you are buying

6.Understand how to fire-proof steel cost-effectively

7. Don't be deceived by low-cost deals

Find the  full article here by Building and Construction Network.