Features

• 

  Adding Under

  With nowhere to go but down, this basement addition carves out extra living space from within the home’s existing footprint.

   
• 

  Making the Best of Rising Energy Costs

  Now is a good time to refine your green strategy in a way that guarantees profit.

   
• 

  Simple Sill Pans

  You already flash around doors and windows; you should be flashing under them, too.

   
• 

  21st-Century Greek Revival

  Use PVC trim to create a durable version of this classic cornice.

   

Letters

• Letters

  Interior-design law; stabilizing steel against buckling; respect for legal immigrants

   

News

• In the News

  Austin passes modest accessibility requirement for new houses; study finds pneumatic-nailer triggering has little effect on speed; builders fined for runoff; more

   

Q&A

• Q&A: Does Radiant-Barrier Paint Work?

  Q: My painting subcontractor is recommending Thermo-Tek, a paint the manufacturer says is a radiant barrier. What can you tell me about products like this one or similar coatings made with something called ceramic microspheres that claim to have thermal characteristics and promise significant...

   

• Q&A: Building With Logs

  Q: A design we're bidding on has several peeled cedar logs that function as both architectural and structural elements. Are there any rules of thumb for determining their strength so that they can be safely used without redundant grade-stamp framing - and so they meet the approval of a building...

   

• Q&A: Vertical I-Joists?

  Q: When building a super-insulated house, one of the ways to increase insulation levels in the wall assembly is to increase the thickness of the wall. But instead of using double-wall framing, would it be okay to frame walls with I-joists?

   

Business

• Business: Working the High-Rise Niche

  Working the high-rise niche

   

Legal

• Legal: Can a Handshake Be a Contract?

  Can a handshake be a contract?

   

Products

• 

  Products

  Packable water-based primer; biodegradable stripper; multi-tap transformer; high-quality wall caps; more

   

Toolbox

• 

  North Safety Products NFK14 Duro Task Plus Gloves

  I recently bought a few pairs of NFK14 Duro Task Plus gloves from North Safety Products; they're quite comfortable.

   

• Capital Safety Protecta's Rebel CT

  Falls are the No. 1 cause of accidental death for construction workers.

   
• 

  Camelbak Hi-Viz Hydration System

  OSHA says you should drink a cup of water every 15 minutes when working in hot weather.

   
• 

  Malco Products TSF2 Backerboard Shear

  Cement-based tile backers are optimistically labeled "score and snap," but skinny and curving cuts can be difficult.

   
• 

  Barrett Diamond Products Tilebit-Pro System

  Few things are more frustrating than trying to drill through porcelain tile with conventional glass or masonry drill bits

   
• 

  Stabila's Tub and Shower Set Model 29532

  The walls of a tub enclosure can be a bit of a stretch for standard 2- and 4-foot levels.

   
• 

  Alpha Professional Tools Smart Trowel

  Looking for an ergonomic notched trowel? The Alpha Smart trowel has a rotating cushioned-grip handle for greater comfort and easier placement of setting materials.

   
• 

  Ridgid 6 1/2-inch Circular Saw

  What's the point of a 6 1/2-inch circular saw?

   

Backfill

• 

  Backfill: Still Grinding After 200 Years

  Still grinding after 200 years.

   

Other Articles

• JLC Extra Q&A: Compressing Fiberglass Batts

  Q: I've heard that if you use 5 1/2-inch-thick fiberglass batts in a 2x4 wall, the insulation will have a higher R-value than standard 3 1/2-inch batts provide. But some people say that compressing fiberglass batts lowers the R-value. What's the story?

   

• JLC Extra: Simple Sill Pans - Sources of Supply

  A list of companies that sell sill pans or materials for making sill pans.