Exterior Doors & Windows

• Jambs & Thresholds For Fat Walls (Subscriber content)

  Extra-thick walls present a problem when it comes to installing prehung entry-door units. Here are some tested solutions, both stock and custom, that can help.

   

• Building With Style: The Dialogue Between Roof and Wall (Subscriber content)

  Detailing the roof

   

• Step by Step With Foam Forms (Subscriber content)

  Foam concrete forms are gaining popularity, both below and above grade. Three builders describe how to assemble three different systems: stackable blocks, large-core molds, and sheet forms.

   

• Q&A: Exterior Door Swings

  Q: Why it is that most exterior doors swing in rather than out? I can think of several reasons why they should swing out: (1) It is more difficult for the wind to get around a door that swings out since it is pressing the door against a seal rather than away from it. (2) An out-swinging door can...

   

• Layout Tricks for Rough Openings (Subscriber content)

  As any finish sub knows, careful framing smooths the installation of drywall and trim. Follow these guidelines for fast, accurate framing of doors, windows, stairs, and fireplaces.

   

• Innovative Building Products (Subscriber content)

  Manufacturers of plastics and composites are finding ways to replace traditional materials with products that are lighter, stronger, more durable, and less expensive. Here’s a look at what’s new at the lumberyard.

   

• Remodeler's Estimating Checklist (Subscriber content)

  What you overlook in an estimate will probably come back to haunt you. This comprehensive checklist can help keep you out of trouble.

   

• Case Study: Estimating by the Stick (Subscriber content)

  This inside look at three competing bids shows some of the strategies small builders use to quickly arrive at accurate estimates.

   

• Innovations From Abroad (Subscriber content)

  A number of foreign building products represent true innovation. Here’s a selection of recent introductions to the U.S. market.

   

• Kitchen & Bath: The Window Over the Sink (Subscriber content)

   

• Building with Style: Give New Windows An Old Look (Subscriber content)

   

• Builder's Library

   

• Shopping for Replacement Windows (Subscriber content)

  Replacement windows come in a vast array of shapes, sizes, and materials. The best options combine good looks, top energy performance, and low maintenance.

   

• Exterior Door Dilemma

   

• Vinyl Siding Revisited (Subscriber content)

  From its early days of fading and cracking, vinyl has come a long way in quality and versatility.

   

• A Framing Primer (Subscriber content)

  Even if you're already a pro, you can refine your skills by walking through this job with Marshall Gross.