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Commercial remodelers have devised ingenious, low-cost ways to spiff up storefronts and restore downtown retail districts. Here’s how.
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Most public work and larger commercial projects require a surety bond. A bonding agent explains the hurdles you must jump to qualify.
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How well a store is lit affects its sales and its bottom line. This lighting consultant gets down to the details using a recent retail project as an example.
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Sprinkler contractors describe how fast-acting heads and plastic piping are revolutionizing fire protection in light-frame buildings.
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A third-generation roofing contractor describes the range of deck types you’ll find on commercial roofs and how to safely cut through in remodeling work.
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Refacing offers an economical alternative to a complete kitchen overhaul. The results can be attractive and the jobs profitable.
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A veteran tile contractor describes his favorite pan materials and techniques for a durable, leak-free job.
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New k&b products continue their upscale climb at this year’s industry show. JLC contributor Pat Galvin looks at the pick of the glitter.
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Popular with Finns since the time of the Roman Empire, these retreats have found a new popularity in U.S. health clubs and homes. Here’s how to select and install one.
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The conventional wisdom says that a business suffers if water-saving devices are mandated. This resort developer disagrees and has five years of success to prove his point.
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Tile work is expensive and highly visible. Whether you do your own work or sub it ot, these tips from an expert tile-setter will help keep you out of trouble.
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A specialist in pool enclosures describes the construction of a timber-framed pool room that’s energy efficient and free of condensation problems.
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Growing concern over indoor air is boosting interest in electrostatic and electronic air cleaners. Here’s a cost-and-performance look at the most practical options.
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Changes in the way Americans live; others are just whim. Either way, it pays to pay attention. Here’s a room-by-room look.
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In addition to meeting code, party walls should provide both quiet and peace of mind. A multi-fam production manager tells how to choose the best system.
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Adhesives play a big role on the job site, but the choices can confuse. This survey of contractors and experts guides you to the right adhesive for the job.
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As the U.S. population ages, more homes will need modifications for the elderly. Here’s an overview of the market and the skills and attitudes needed to succeed.
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If replacing a ceiling, or patching and painting it are too expensive, consider a fast and economical “blown” texture. A painter explains how, step-by-step.
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Architectural millwork doesn’t cost much more than lumberyard work. A pro tells how you can use this specialty trade to tackle complex jobs.
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Don’t be surprised by structural problems halfway through a renovation. An engineer tells you how to spot trouble early in a quick walk-through inspection.
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If you’re in remodeling for the long haul, it’s not enough just to do good work. These practical marketing tips will make sure that your reputation precedes you.
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The push is on to legislate that older homes be stripped of lead paint. This update provides practical guidelines on how to proceed when faced with a lead-abatement job.
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A traveling mall remodeler talks about the tools of his trade and the difficulties of working within the frantic schedule of retail rehab.
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Insurance restoration accounts for $30 billion of construction business a year. A leader in the field describes the special challenges and rewards of this largely untapped market.
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Two preservationists describe step-by-step how to rehab an expansive porch—starting with sagging floors, tilted columns, and peeling paint.
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A leading remodeler describes a practical way to track multiple jobs—despite the fact that most remodeling jobs run by Murphy’s Law.
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The dream of a quick and effective retrofit foam insulation did not die with the ban on ureaformaldehyde. We examine the new products available.
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Critics charge that many super-efficient furnaces hit the market without adequate testing. What bugs have turned up and how do the newest models fare? An industry insider brings us up to date.
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How an Indiana builder helps chemically sensitive clients avoid exposure to the more than 500 volatile chemicals found in today’s building materials.
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To deliver good performance, manufactured fireplace components must be installed as the system designers intended. Here’s a rundown of the key requirements.
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With their sudden popularity, the shiny sheets have spawned equal measures of marketing hype and scientific research. Here’s how the claims reckon with the facts.
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Spray cellulose outperforms fiberglass, says this insulation contractor, but it takes extra care in the prep work. He lists item-by-item what needs attention.