Building Guide

Deta Studio, The easiest way to review construction drawing online

How to Review a PDF of Construction Drawings on Your Computer

Reviewing construction drawings as a PDF? When you receive your house plans as a PDF, knowing how to review and mark them up clearly can make or break your build.... Read more...

Construction delivery method comparison — fixed price, cost-plus, and GMP builder contracts for custom homes

Builder Contract Types Explained: Fixed Price, Cost-Plus & GMP

Construction projects can be delivered in several ways, and each method affects cost, speed, and quality differently. We’ve summarized the main approaches and cost structures to help you decide what... Read more...

ADU Construction Cost: What a 512 sq ft Costs to Build in 2026

A clear, category-by-category look at the estimated cost to build our 512 sq ft Steel Cabin—designed to help you plan smarter before talking to local builders. Read more...

The Sound Quality of Your Home - Most underrated luxury

Designing for sound means creating spaces that block unwanted noise and soften echoes—so your home feels calm, quiet, and comfortable. Read more...

How Does a Window Make a Big Difference in Your Energy Bill?

The key to comfort and savings: a well-insulated envelope. Read more...

Choosing the Right Site: What You Need to Know Before You Build

A smart home starts with the right piece of land. Read more...

Vented vs. Unvented Roofs: Which One Is Right for Your Home?

Whether you're battling heat, cold, or coastal storms, choosing the right roof setup, vented roof or unvented roof , makes all the difference. Read more...

Bright bedroom with large windows and wooden floors in a modern cottage, DESIGN WITH FRANK.

A Guide For Electrical Plug Placement At Home

Essential rules for outlet spacing to keep your home safe, efficient, and up to code. Read more...

What is the Building Plans?

A complete set of construction-ready drawings to streamline the building process. Read more...

What is the Study Plans?

A thoughtful starting point for planning your future home! Read more...

Architect-designed modern farmhouse exterior — understanding construction cost estimates before you build

How to Get an Accurate Construction Estimate for Your New Home

What You Need Before Asking Your Builder to give you a cost estimate? We used the industry AIA standard to determine what materials the builder needs, including specifications, plans, and... Read more...

Soil evaluation for the right Septic System

Why Soil Testing Matters Before Installing a Septic System? This blog walks through a real-life example of the process of a soil test. We have a soil scientist on site... Read more...

Passive Home Guide: Double Stud Wall

The double stud wall, a popular choice among local green builders, is a remarkable wall assembly that prioritizes energy efficiency. As its name suggests, it consists of two layers—a sturdy... Read more...

Design with Frank's Barndominium with black wood siding, black metal roof and attached garage

What is Barndominium?

Suppose you like living in the country and prefer a simple way to build your home with the comfort of urban amenities and conveniences. In that case, you'll fall in... Read more...

What is Shingle Siding?

Shingle siding is a form of external cladding used on buildings that is composed of overlapping rows of rectangular hardwood or vinyl shingles. Typically, the tiles are put horizontally, with... Read more...

What is board and batten?

Board and batten siding was popularized during the Victorian Era (1837-1901) when lumber was plentiful and was used to showcase the exterior carpentry and decoration of many Victorian-era homes. Read more...

What is slab-on-grade foundation?

WHAT IS SLAB-ON-GRADE FOUNDATION? A slab-on-grade foundation is a structural engineering system where the foundation for a building (concrete slab) is created from a mold set into the ground. Concrete... Read more...

Building Guide: Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

SIPs Panels (structural insulated panels) are an insulation system that is becoming increasingly popular in building construction. SIPs are made by sandwiching a layer of insulation between two layers of wood, OSB (oriented strand board),... Read more...

Inspiring Kitchen Color Scheme Inspiration for Your New Home

For many homeowners, the kitchen is a sacred space. A space for creativity, artistry, and connections between one another to be made. When designing a new home, you want to... Read more...

Tips For Designing Your Own Home

Designing your own home is an exciting endeavor. Yet being able to complete such a project is no small feat! You may find yourself scratching your head at how to... Read more...

How Straw Bales Can Be Used For Insulation

In the famed story of “The Three Little Pigs,” the first little pig’s straw house came tumbling down effortlessly after only a few huffs and puffs from the big, bad... Read more...

Seven of the Best Features to Incorporate Into Your Custom Home

When you envision your custom home, do you dream of a walk-in closet with custom white shelves to house your shoes? What about a large stone patio to grill and... Read more...

What is the Best Way to Finance the Construction of a New Home?

You have your blueprint in hand with plans for an open kitchen, a wood-burning fireplace, and large windows to paint the sunrise for your every morning. Before breaking ground to... Read more...

Different Types of Sustainable Exterior Finishes For Houses

When planning your upcoming renovation or new construction, sustainability and energy efficiency should be a consideration. More than only environmentally friendly construction is involved. It will advance community development and... Read more...

Rafters vs. Trusses: Which is Right For Your New Roof?

Whether it be the classic Cape Cod steep gable or sleek modern metal, constructing a durable roof is an essential element to the overall structural integrity for your new home. Many homeowners... Read more...

How To Get a Building Permit In California

Building a home in California is desirable for many reasons: proximity to various beaches, mountains, major companies, and the warm climate. However, prior to building your dream home in the... Read more...

Learn to Build Sustainable Homes

Building a sustainable home is often a priority to many home builders in the present day. When constructing your home sustainably, you consider the impact on the environment. Consequently, you... Read more...

What is a Crawl Space Foundation?

A crawl space is a foundation that is built higher than ground level. This is to protect the house from water levels or to enable someone to crawl under the... Read more...

How Do I Hire A Contractor?

When building a new home, hiring a contractor is one of the most important steps in beginning the process. Your general contractor will work side by side with you to... Read more...

Steps to Build Your Own Dream House

Whether you already own a lot of land or have narrowed down the area in which you want to search, planning your own custom build can be a nerve-racking process. Only 20% of American... Read more...

What is R-Value and How Does It Work?

The R-value requirement is also calculated based on the geographical location of the home. The U.S. The Department of Energy specifies zones with minimum R-value requirements based on the surrounding... Read more...

How To Get a Permit To Build a House

Permits are required in most states in order to begin the home building process. All states except Texas require home builders to obtain a permit prior to construction. It is... Read more...

What is the Most Efficient Way to Heat a Home?

Heating a home is one of the most costly parts of our monthly home expenses. According to the Department of Energy, it takes approximately 30% of your total utility bill.... Read more...

What is a Stem Wall Foundation Good for?

When land is uneven, sloped, or in need of reaching a higher elevation, a “stem wall foundation” is the answer. Stem walls are constructed with a spread foundation to support... Read more...

The Benefit of a Slab on Grade Foundation Design

The term “slab on grade” describes a building technique used to supply a strong foundation for a building structure. This is an effective method to provide needed structural integrity to... Read more...

How Dense Pack Cellulose Outperforms Other Insulation Products

One of the best performing insulations on the market is dense-pack cellulose. This is a term used to describe a cellulose insulation product that can be densely blown in cavities between... Read more...

The Benefits of a Ductless Mini Split HVAC System

Mini splits are an efficient and cost-effective cooling system for many homeowners. A mini split is an HVAC unit that basically has 2 parts. It has an air handling unit and... Read more...

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Building Guide