Visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing

Visiting the Forbidden City in Beijing

Beijing: My visit to China took me into The Forbidden City.  Completed in 1420, it was the seat of Chinese dynastic power for 500 years.  The buildings are beautiful and were constructed with the very best craftsmanship.  My focus turned to the clay tile roofing. ...
Why Old Houses Last Longer than New Houses

Why Old Houses Last Longer than New Houses

Have you ever wondered why it seems that old houses last as long as they do, when new houses 10 or 15 years old seem to be falling apart?  Or to think about it more specifically, why your new windows are rotting after 5 or 10 years?  Why when the wind blows do you end...