With a new practicality influencing architects, we expect to see fewer glass-box buildings in the years to come. Opaque walls insulate better, and seem a better choice for an energy-wise future. Yet ...

Q. I'm getting ready to build a large room addition that needs a beam to support the floor joists. I've been told that a wood beam will work, but I've always seen steel I-beams in other houses. Is it ...