Custom-Arch, LLC

Dome Installation Instructions 5 - 8...

Alright, now you can stand back and see the perfect circle in your square tray.  I know it seems strange to have the blocks sticking out like that, but it is a lot easier to nail the blocks in before the ring is hung.

The last step completed was cutting the top plate to act as our backing as the struts are put in place.

Step 5 - Hanging the #1 and #2 Struts

All the struts are labeled "strut" and have a number on the nailing face.  There will (2) #1 struts and (2) #2 struts.  Place the #1 struts so the ends butt together and are centered on the top plate.  Nail them in place.   Now lift the three connected pieces into the opening and rest them on top of the outer ring.  Center the struts against the center marks on opposing sides of the framed box, check plumb and nail into the box sides.  Place the #2 struts so they butt perpendicularly to the #1 struts.  Check plumb and nail into the top plate and the framed box.

 

Step 6 - Install #3 and #4 struts

Now that you have the experience of hanging the #1 and #2 struts, the #3 and #4 struts will be pretty easy to put in place.  

The #3 and #4 struts will be long.

Take (1) #3 and put it in place, between any #1 and #2 at a 45' angle.  It WILL hang over the back side of the outer ring.  Mark the #3 at the point of contact with the outer ring.  Draw a line across the face of the arch 1 1/2" below this mark on the end opposite the #3 label.  Cut off remaining material and discard.  Use this as your master for sizing the other #3 struts.  Nail all #3 struts into the top plate.

Take (1) #4 and repeat the steps above. You may need to use shims between the strut and top plate (or a larger top plate) depending on the size of your dome.

 

Now you are probably asking yourself how to keep the struts in place for dry wall.

Step 7 - Securing the Struts 

Nail all the #3 and #4 struts to the back of the outer ring.  Add some blocking to the back side of the struts for added structure.

 

Step 8 - Installing the light ring

Take the Light Ring pieces and line them up with the seams on the outer ring, check flush (plumb) and nail them into the previously installed blocks.  We would recommend that you always secure the top plate to a bridge built across the top of the dome.  Use a pair of knee walls and a box beam to assure stability and to support the weight of a light fixture or chandelier.

   

Now, admire your newly installed dome.  If you plan to hang a light fixture or want added structure and stability, build a bridge across the top using two knee walls and a box beam.  This way future homeowners can hang a light with a winch, confidently.

Ben

www.Custom-Arch.com

Dome Installation Instructions steps 1 - 4...

Today I will start the overview of Dome installation.  I do this as a resource to some builders who may have questions or prefer to have online access rather than the printed materials we send with each kit.

Each Dome Kit is exactly that.  It is a kit with a number of pieces that range from 10 - 244 (Big Valdosta Dome - pictured below).  Each component is labeled - Outer Ring, Light ring and Strut.

Before you can install a dome, you need to frame a box in the ceiling.  For the purposes of our discussion here I have a 7' box framed for a 7' dome with a 24" rise.

Step One - Lay out your components. 
Separate the Outer Ring pieces from the rest and install 1 1/2" blocks about every 12 1/2".

Step Two - Mark the center of each side of the framed box.

Step Three - Install the Outer Ring.
Line up each end of the Outer Ring with the line you just made on the center of the beam.  Put one nail in one end and check level.  Now finish nailing (3 nails per side should work).  Repeat for each piece of the Outer Ring.

 

Step Four - Cut your top plate material
Before you can hang the struts, you will need to cut a piece of ply or lumber to make a top plate.  1" ply or rim board works very well.  Cut it to about 12" x 12" or better 16" x 16".

In the next post I will talk about hanging the struts of your dome.

Ben
www.Custom-Arch.com

Drop Soffit Arch for a Water Fall...

I am delivering a drop soffit arch for a waterfall today.  For those of you who may not know what a drop soffit is, it is the underside of any architectural element.  Here is a Wikipedia link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soffit

The goal on this project is to have a curved section of wall "drop" out of the ceiling 20" and for 2 perfectly concetric circles, comprised of 2 large half round arches.  In the center of the smaller circle will be a waterfall.  This project will also include the added challenge of a facing ring to connect to two pieces at the bottom.

It should be installed in the next couple of days.  I will get a picture after it is installed and after it has been trimmed out.

Ben
www.Custom-Arch.com

Busy last few days...orders, updates...

It has been a very busy past few days around here.  I am working on one of our largest installation projects to date.  The pictures should be very dramatic, if the scale translates.  Specifically, I am talking about a 30' square groin vault.  It doesn't sound that big until you know that there are 2 of them in series with (2) 17' by 30' on either end.

We are nearly ready to launch the new website.  I have been working with everyone to get the pictures and the instructions needed.  I was on there this morning and it looks REALLY nice.  We have more arches, barrels and domes.  One big change is the addition of Groin Vaults to the products listing.  We have had so many calls about our groin vaults that it will be great to point customers to our site for reference.

Please continue to check out the website.  We should have it up in just a few days.  As always feel free to give me a call if you need something specific.

Ben
www.Custom-Arch.com

"I get my arches for free..."

Every so often I encounter a builder who claims "I get my arches for free."  Up until yesterday it had been at the International Builder Show, but it happened again and I can bet it will happen at least once more.

First, let's start off with some things we know to be true.  Curvature adds warmth and character to your homes.  You put the arches in either because they are on the plan or you know that if there are arches it will sell, call it the Field of Dreams approach.  It takes a lot of time and a lot of practice to be able to build a quality arch in the field.

Second, ARCHES ARE NOT FREE.  Any subcontractor who tells you this is either a lousy business person or thinks you are.  Trust me no one lifts a hammer for free on a job site.  The arches are in the square foot price or (more likely) your sub is going to hit you with overages to cover "last minute changes".

All right, now let's talk about why you should use Custom-Arch.  Every time you bring in a component product you put the power of building back in your hands and away from the subcontractor.  You wouldn't have them build doors, stairs or cabinets, would you.  The materials (and Waste!) used to build the arches can be better allocated to their intended purpose.  Every day you save in construction gets you to closing faster.

Our arches are built to your plans.  Every arch is built to a perfect radius.  You eliminate arch related rework, warranty and buyer dissatisfaction issues.

Custom-Arch arches are easy to install.  We turn orders around in a few days.  We deliver at dry-in.  No orders are too small.

To those builders who claim they don't pay for arches...sometimes you get what you don't pay for!!!

And this costs a whole lot less that the rework on the above pictures...

Ben
www.Custom-Arch.com

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) prices increasing

Here is an article that was forwarded to me over the weekend.  We all know that with hurricane season upon us OSB prices are going to start heading up again.  Add to that the increased use of OSB by the US military and it will cause you to start thinking about how this will effect building.  The net effect is that it currently costs $2000 more to build a typical home than it did in 2006.  Prices may go down, but there is no guarantee. 

http://www.sbcmag.info/kb/KB_SBC_NewsDetails.php?KBID=11771

Now take this cost increase and add in a few more details: dwindling supply of qualified carpenters, turn-key framing contractors and the need to get a well built home to closing quickly.  There is your cost-benefit-analysis on Custom-Arch. 

Please send me an e-mail if you would like to discuss how we help you build the best home possible under a tighter time-line.

Ben
www.Custom-Arch.com

Making it easier for builders to think outside the box...

Yes, a little tongue-in-cheek, but that is what we do.  I had a builder come to me recently and want something other than the typical, custom home triple tray.  So, we put our heads together and came up with some ideas and a few resonated with the eventual home owner.  Below are a few drawings in 3D that show what we can do.  The drywall contractors are hanging the home as we speak.  I lost track of the total number of arches in the house, it is going to be a true show house when it is finished.

Ben
www.Custom-Arch.com

Big Barrel Ceiling in Kentucky

When we quoted this in March, this was the biggest barrel we have ever done, not true at this date.  The room measures 24' x 26' and the ceiling has a 60" spring line, it required a number of arched ribs composed of 4 arches.  The series here is framed, insulated and drywall hung.  The builder was so pleased with the ease of installation and drywall that she has asked us to quote another project for her.  A barrel that will be 10' wide and 52' long.  Every subcontractor that was involved with this barrel commented on how much easier it was.

    

Ben
www.Custom-Arch.com

New pictures of Groin Vaults in a Series

The photos have started to roll in from the e-mail requests I made of our customers.  I asked that they send in what ever photos they had of our products (arches, domes, groin vaults, barrels) after being installed.  Here are a few pictures of three Groin Vaults installed in a series - perpendicular intersecting arch segments in a repeated pattern.  It has a dramatic and striking effect.  The installation only took about 6 hours in the field. Once the drywall is installed, I will update this post with finished pictures.

Ben
www.Custom-Arch.com

23' Dome Valdosta, GA

I spoke with Terry in South Georgia today and he said that the gigantic dome (23' wide by 11' 6" tall) has been the draw of the neighborhood.  Competing builders have come by to see how he did it and get some information about Custom-Arch.

This project was one of the most challenging we have had.  It took 244 individual pieces (arches) to create the shape.  The framer in the field is so enamored by the product (the time it saved him) he has introduced us to customers of his.