Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve had similar run-ins—sometimes it feels like the more you try to “do things right,” the more you get bogged ...

Couldn’t agree more—cutting corners on exterior hardware is just asking for headaches. I’d add, even “stainless” isn’t always equal; 316 grade holds u...

Yeah, “normal” is pretty rare in anything pre-1970s. I’ve seen doubled-up studs in random spots too—sometimes it’s just someone trying to fix a sag or...