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Three craftsmen describe the jigs they use to speed the task of hanging doors.
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The ability to sell is as basic to the business as construction skills. A remodeler shares some of the techniques he’s learned.
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A former builder, now a code official, reports on the violations he sees again and again, and how to avoid them.
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JLC examines what features and finishes to look for in exterior doors and reviews the latest innovations.
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Today’s high-tech windows offer more options than ever. We examine which features are worth the investment.
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An experienced tradesman shares tips and techniques for hanging kitchen cabinets quickly and without error.
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How to design successful baths — starting with accurate fixture dimensions and comfortable clearances.
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This custom mirrored cabinet assembles with standard tools and materials and packs ample storage.
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A plumber explains how vents and traps work and how to solve some difficult venting problems.
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Do you want a cool top range, a halogen burner, or a gas-fired ceramic? Our k&b expert makes sense of these latest offerings and more.
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Three couples share the techniques they’ve learned to make their companies and marriages work together.
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Demand is growing for homes with fewer harmful materials. An architect/builder gives his description.
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The five-year-old house looked fine until they opened up a wall and discovered severe decay. A year later, the building was torn down. Here are the lessons learned.
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A finish contractor shows how to satisfy Classical or Victorian tastes using off-the-shelf moldings and a little imagination.
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Contractors share the benefits they’ve devised to keep employees happy without busting the company’s budget.
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In traveling to sites around the country, this field rep sees a lot of framing failures that could have been easily prevented.
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Understrength or damaged planks cause many staging failures. A wood technologist explains how to avoid these and other accidents.
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The Journal tests a new type of wall-board that manufacturers promise will revolutionize the industry.
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Originally developed to comply with solvent regs, water-based finishes are now winning converts. A flooring contractor tells how to make them work.
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Slicing and boring concrete can be fast and economical if you rent the right tools — or hire the right sub.
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A high-end remodeler describes the finer points of tearing out: from hand-holding and bidding to shoring and jacking.
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A woodworker builds a traditional New England cupola with a curved hip roof.
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Not all 2,000-square-foot houses have the same usable living area. Here’s how professionals measure square footage.
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CPM scheduling is a big-job technique that can pay off for the small builder as well. A management pro walks you through the basic techniques.
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A few plumbing surprises can easily blow your estimate. A master plumber tells you what to look for on a pre-bid inspection.
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Unit pricing is faster than stick bidding, and can be just as accurate. A remodeling expert tells how.
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It’s tough to get the necessary insulation and ventilation into a compact sloped ceiling. Here’s what works best for contractors around the country.
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Not all kitchen exhaust fans are created equal. Here’s a rundown of what works to clear the air, and what doesn’t.
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This strapped wall design won top honors for energy-efficiency, buildability, and simplicity.
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Engineered beam stock is finding its way onto more sites. This review of glulams, LVL, and other specialty beams tells how to make the best use of the new materials.
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Can’t find decent carpenters anymore? Successful builders and remodelers share their strategies for recruiting and hiring good help.
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An experienced sunspace builder describes how to install glass to get long-lasting performance in vertical and sloped applications.
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Q: How do you vent a crawlspace under a house on a sloping site? On a recent job, the uphill side was covered with a patio and the customer wouldn’t accept window wells in the patio. Will this side get enough ventilation with conventional vents along the pony walls on the downhill side?
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Q: I am working on a project where native (New York) hemlock boardand-batten siding has been specified. I am not familiar with this material. How should I prep and install it?
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Q: Should an underlayment be used with ceramic tile over a plywood subfloor? If so, what material would you recommend?
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Q: We have a lot of trouble installing fiberglass shingles in cold weather. The shingles tend to split and the tabs won’t seal. The old organic asphalt shingles seem to be unavailable. Any suggestions?
Q: What is the best way to detail the connection of a pitched roof abutting a sidewall?
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Q: I have talked to eight different concrete subcontractors, and four have claimed that concrete expands as it sets and four claim that it shrinks. Which is correct?
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Q: I know blocking is needed in the mid-span area of a floor system. But is blocking necessary along the end-joist since this member is supported by the foundation and the subfloor?
Q: How can I ventilate the eaves of a roof that has no soffit, but has a gutter on the fascia?
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Q: We are planning to build on a site with fine sand and silt soil. Code requires a foundation depth of at least 2 feet, but during the summer the water table rises to within 2 feet of the surface because of the irrigation of adjacent fields. How should the footing be designed to prevent possible...
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Q: What is the typical drying time for wet-spray cellulose insulation? What happens if the insulation freezes before it dries? Will it dry after it warms up in the spring?
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Q: Is moisture-resistant drywall an appropriate ceiling material for an open porch?
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Q: What is the best way to tie the new slab floor of an addition to an existing slab-on-grade foundation?
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Q: On a recent job we had trouble with rain water getting through the paper wrapping on some architectural grade glulam beams. How can the water stains be removed?
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Q: Is there a paint or sealer that will encapsulate the smell of smoke on fire-damaged walls?
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Q: I am planning to build with 12 inches or more of blown-in cellulose insulation in the ceilings. How much insulation can you put in a ceiling before the unsupported drywall between joists sags? I usually use 1/2-inch drywall with trusses 24 inches on-center.
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Q: Can copper flashing be used with cedar shingles? I was told the natural oils in the cedar can corrode the copper.
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Q: What is the best primer and paint for an unpainted stucco exterior?
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Q: Can rigid foam board be used on the inside of a wall as both insulation and a vapor retarder? If so, how should it be detailed?
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Q: I have heard that silicon caulk should not be used with cedar trim. Is this true? If so, why?
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Q: How should a "diamond" hip roof (one with four hip rafters rising to a point) be ventilated?
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Q: A year ago, I removed an old wood shingle roof and replaced it with asphalt shingles. In many places, we replaced sections of the old board sheathing with new rough-sawn lumber. Now, the 8d common sheathing nails holding the new 6- to 12-inch-wide boards are popping up. Several nails have worked...