As with the contrasting color for wall studs, this standard measurement is marked off with a special symbol. Standard floor joists are required to be 19 3/16 inches apart from center, although some types of joists can be further apart. The building codes for floor joists follow a similar pattern. Many tape measures mark off this 16-inch requirement by using contrasting colors at 16, 32, 48 and 60-inch increments on the ribbon. If a homeowner uses a stud finder for hanging artwork, for example, the next available stud for nailing should be easier to find. In the case of wall frames, reinforcing 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber called studs need to be installed every 16 inches “from center” meaning the middle of the next stud will be exactly 16 inches from the original stud. Professional carpenters are required to build wall frames and floor joists to a specific building code. While most homeowners may rarely need to refer to these numbers, they do serve an important function in the construction industry. One puzzling feature on more advanced tape measures for carpenters, contractors and plumbers is the inclusion of red numbers and/or black diamonds at predetermined lengths. This is why many tape measures actually start at the 2/16 inch mark. When the hook is pressed against the inside of an object, such as a windowpane, the hook slides forward to become the first 1/16 of an inch for the measurement. When a hook is placed on the outside edge of an object and pulled taut, the hook slides back to compensate for its thickness. The amount of play in the attachment is also 1/16 of an inch. The hook for most tape measures is approximately 1/16 of an inch thick. This floating attachment is not a design flaw. The hook/tang is attached to the ribbon with a rivet or two, which has a slight but noticeable amount of play. The hook may also have a serrated edge, which can scratch a mark into the material as a reference for longer measurements. The hook fits securely over the edge of objects to be measured, or a small hole allows users to secure the ribbon with a small nail or thumbtack. It’s the metal end piece that prevents the ribbon from retracting completely into the case, but it does much more than that. One important element of a retractable tape measure is called a hook or a tang. These bold numbers can help lock in a definite measurement, such as the opening for a hallway or the height of a doorway for clearance. This feature allows users to refer to the closest major measurement before drilling down to the smaller hash marks for complete accuracy. Most commonly, they will be inches or centimeters. Some numbers are printed in a bolder font than others, which makes them easier to read at a glance. Common divisions such as a half-inch or 3/4 of an inch may also be a different length. On some models, the individual lines between inch markings are the same length, while others create longer lines to denote even measurements (2/16, 4/16, 6/16, etc). Tape measures using the imperial system generally provide lines every 1/16 of an inch, although some could go as low as 1/32 of an inch. This means linear measurements are divided into inches, feet, yards and miles. In countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the imperial system is most common. There are essentially two measuring systems in use around the world, but not every tape measure incorporates both of them. Here’s a guide to getting the most out of a retractable tape measure, whether you are an occasional user or a seasoned professional contractor. The saying “Measure twice, cut once” applies to the proper use of a tape measure. There may be times when an estimate is all that you’ll need, but other times when precise measurements are critical. Part of the challenge of reading a standard tape measure is understanding how to convert those lines, symbols and numbers into real measurements you can take to the glass shop or the lumberyard or the tile store. DIY carpenters and plumbers also use tape measures to create precision cuts for wood, metal and ceramic construction materials. Homeowners often reach for a tape measure to determine the available space for a new appliance or the width of a doorway or the size of a replacement window pane. These measuring tools are relatively inexpensive, easy to store and serve a number of purposes. The odds are good that most households have at least one retractable tape measure, either in a toolbox, a junk drawer or on a garage shelf. Interpreting the numbers, lines and symbols
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