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Cheap generic nails seem like a bargain up front, but you may pay the price later in jams and misfires. This article explains how to make an intelligent choice in generic nails, and looks at the many new collated specialty nails on the market.
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This job-site review of available stick nailers will help you in making your next purchase.
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Q: Recently I needed structural design values (E, Fb, Fv) for treated southern yellow pine. So I referred to a publication from the Southern Pine Council, which indicated that while E (modulus of elasticity) and Fv (allowable shear stress) remain constant, Fb (bending strength) values grow smaller...
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Installed correctly, ground-source heat pumps can provide comfortable, efficient heating in many climates. Here’s an overview of the available options.
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Finned-tube baseboard is the most commonly installed hot-water heating system in the country. An expert system designer explains how to size and install an efficient layout using the latest equipment.
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Dimmable compact fluorescents, bi-directional floor registers, automatic make-up air, engineered stair stringers
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We put professional-duty 14.4-volt cordless drill/drivers through their paces, including a look at the latest battery technology. This side-by-side comparison will help you make the right choice.
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We’ve fielded a lot of questions from builders who use housewrap air barriers, but wonder how these new mate-ials compare with felt paper when it comes to keeping water out of the walls. An expert in wood technology draws on his own research to explain how the properties of housewraps and felt...
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Curbed tile shower pans have to be watertight. A veteran tile contractor shows how careful detailing of a waterproof membrane and special drain makes for a trouble-free shower floor.
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Q: Does CCA pressure treatment adversely affect the strength or durability of framing lumber?