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Despite better furnace and fireplace design, spilling of toxic flue gases remains a problem, especially in tight houses. A leading researcher offers solutions.
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How to survive the two most difficult transition periods in the growth of your remodeling business — from a successful remodeler and consultant.
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On visits to Japan and Sweden, our Midwest editor found that foreign housing has a technological edge, but that U.S. builders retain a big home-court advantage.
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A number of foreign building products represent true innovation. Here’s a selection of recent introductions to the U.S. market.
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Not all transits are created equal. A repair expert tells what to look for and what to avoid when buying a new or used instrument.
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Ever wonder how some building practices fare over time? A home inspector reports back on ten areas where cutting corners leads to trouble.
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Too many bathrooms are badly lit for shaving, applying makeup, and other personal tasks. Here’s how to get it right, from a lighting specialist.
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A custom builder tells how he makes curved-top dormers using standard framing and trim and a little carpenter’s ingenuity.
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An expert tilesetter describes step-by-step how to get top performance from today’s grouts, including the new epoxy grouts.
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To successfully transfer your business to the next generation, family members must face facts and forge a workable plan. A leader in the field guides the way.
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A fabricator explains how Corian and similar materials are worked and describes design options and costs.
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The old rule that sewage runs downhill does not apply here. A plumbing contractor tells how to handle drainage when adding a basement bath.
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Crawlspaces and roofs need vents, but the standard details don’t always fit. Here are two clever solutions to common venting problems.
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Two painting veterans discuss how to get superior results with stains and clear finishes on woodwork — from prep work and scheduling to brush care.
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These materials are growing in popularity. An installation contractor tells how to get the best results and avoid the pitfalls.
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Computer-aided design won’t make you a great designer. But the right program can make drawing and revising much easier. Here’s what’s available for Mac users.
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To allocate space correctly in a small house, consider using the component method, which matches floorplans to the needs of small home buyers.
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With resilient flooring, the choice of underlayment is critical. This guide to selection and installation will help you get good performance.
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Safety first is the chimney builder’s prime rule. An expert mason tells how to detail a masonry chimney that will meet both code and budget.
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Rather than give away free design work, this Georgia remodeler gets a retainer after his rough drawing and ballpark estimate are accepted.
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If you want your additions to complement the existing building, follow these guidelines from a Denver architect who specializes in residential remodeling.
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This repair of a cracked brick building illustrates the forces at work when an old foundation settles and how to master them.
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Longstrip floors, manufactured and prefinished in Europe, install quickly and can go over almost any level surface. An industry consultant explains how.
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Sunspace veterans Robert Chew and Ray Silva discuss the changing market for sunrooms, and their diversification from sunspace installers to successful remodelers.
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A veteran slabjacking contractor explains how grout injection can lift and level tilting slabs.
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Trusses are engineered systems and cannot be simply cut and headed off like rafters. Two case studies demonstrate the care needed to safely modify a truss.
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Extra-thick, superinsulated walls complicate window details. Here’s one solution that’s easy to build and appeals to customers.
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New boilers use condensing technology, boiler purging, and power venting to boost performance. A heating engineer describes how to choose the right features for your project.
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Plastic water-supply piping promises ease and economy, but it has been plagued by leaks and lawsuits. Now better materials and instructions offer new hope. We examine the problems and prognosis.
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Remodeler Jack Tenhulzen explains how referrals from product distributors close at a high rate and can help your remodeling business grow.
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A remodeler with a background in human services describes how to build a loyal, productive staff — and why that’s critical to your success.