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Simple step-by-step techniques for laying out and building attractive curved walls.
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The old board-and-pole closet doesn’t make it in today’s marketplace. A closet specialist shows how to offer custom solutions at a modest cost.
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Through integrated pest management, the remodeler can make his inner-city projects inhospitable to roaches, but favorable to restaurants and residences.
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Once for cars only, codes and federal laws now require safety glass in nearly every new building. This article, adapted from National Glass Association publications, explains the key provisions in simple terms.
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Electronically controlled homes will soon be commonplace. But whether they’ll follow the NAHB Smart House standard, or something entirely different, is still up for grabs.
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How an old warehouse was transformed into a professional sound studio — using off-the-shelf materials and a good understanding of sound transmission.
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Corbels, balustrades, sconces, and friezes have found their way back into new and renovation projects. Here’s a survey of the growing marketplace.
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Difficult sites, high-density development, and environmental concerns have inspired promising alternatives to traditional on-site sewage treatment.
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Well-engineered hardware brings ease to both the installer and user. A cabinetmaker describes his favorite materials and techniques.
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A remodeler/spa dealer describes the steps to take for a safe and trouble-free installation.
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A cabinetmaker shares tips that can make your cabinets and countertops stand out from the crowd.
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A noted tile authority describes where to find the proper specs for tile work, and how to apply them in your region.
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Our K&B editor surveys the marketplace and finds upgraded materials and fancier features for the year ahead.
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The pros and cons of today’s major wood floor finishes are examined by an industry insider.
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This Swiss-designed tool offers improved joinery to cabinetmakers and finish carpenters.
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Sooner or later, nearly all insulated glass units will fog up. Here’s the products and policies to keep you out of trouble.
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A hardwood flooring contractor describes the prep work and moisture controls needed to achieve top results.
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A design consultant offers tips on how to catch and correct common floor plan errors.
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Tips on buying and installing random-width plank floor.
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Commercial doors and assemblies must meet a complex set of criteria—described in this excerpt from the Architectural Woodwork Institute’s Fire Code Summary.
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A practical guide to laying out and installing one of nature’s most attractive and durable flooring products.
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How one Connecticut remodeler turned give-away design work into a profitable company asset.
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Unrecognized open costs eat up many contractors’ profits year after year. Here’s how to get a handle on these slippery figures.
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Two experts discuss how to balance the goals of preservation with the need for fire safety.
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A leading home-inspector discusses the problems and opportunities facing participants in this fast-growing industry.
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How and why a one-of-a-kind building company dismantles old houses, moves them to distant cities, and rebuilds them better than new.
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A detailed guide for the repair and maintenance of the crowning detail on many historic buildings.
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A third-generation structural repair contractor tells how to diagnose and fix rotted sills and joist ends.
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A look at what details work best in the field, based on feedback from a number of custom builders.
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A hands-on account of how to make a new boiler or furnace work smoothly with the old pipes, ducts, and flues.
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Is energy-efficient building a labor of love, or can you actually make a decent living at it? A dozen builders share insights into their successes and failures.
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New combination appliances blend boilers, furnaces, water heaters, and air exchangers for economy and efficiency.
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Northwest builders are working hard to devise low-cost systems that effectively ventilate tight houses. Here are some options.
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Low-e, suspended films, argon gas, etc. make sorting through manufacturers’ claims harder than ever. Find out what high-performance glass is right for you.
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The stable temperature of the earth makes ground-coupled heat pumps a viable choice for cold climates. Here’s a look at cost-effective approaches.
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A prominent Denver land planner discusses the importance of thoroughly, and quickly, evaluating a development site before making a purchase.
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Two conservation officers explain the basics of erosion control, and why it’s become an issue for builders.