She had tried to lift an 8-by-8-by-16-inch concrete block and discovered those were too heavy. She feels she could handle brick. Karen asked me what she needs to know to build a strong brick ...

Q: I’m thinking of buying a dilapidated old frame house in the country. It has a stone foundation that seems to me to be too close to the ground. Are stone foundations adequate and strong? Is it ...

Q: I've been researching foundation types for both new homes and room additions. I've narrowed it down to either poured concrete or concrete block. Many websites say poured concrete is better than ...

Choosing the new-construction route comes with challenges like cost overruns, permitting delays and supply-chain issues, but also the promise of getting a fully customized home.

Smart building strategies—and the right materials— can help North Texas homes stand strong against fire, freeze, flood, and every horrible thing in between.