Exterior Wood Trim That Lasts
Exterior trim should last as long as the rest of the house. A finish carpenter describes the construction details and finishing tips he uses to make that happen. Read more
A Delaware contractor tells how to build houses on wood pilings that resist the rigors of coastal weather from storm tides to gale force winds. Read more
Span tables simplify the task of sizing joists and rafters, and give you flexibility in choosing the right wood species. Here’s how to run the numbers. Read more
A western production framer walks through the tools and techniques he uses to quickly and accurately lay out walls for fast assembly. Read more
Good photographs can help put your craftsmanship in the best light. A builder describes the equipment and techniques he uses to capture his work on film. Read more
Stick-by-stick estimating takes forever, but quick square-foot takeoffs are not accurate. Somewhere in between lies unit-price estimating. Here’s a step-by-step guide to designing and using your own unit-price system. Read more
L.A. quake site report, radon risks unclear Read more
Q: I have heard that the R-value of fiberglass insulation drops when it’s compressed. But now insulation manufacturers are offering higher-density batts with higher R-values. What’s going on here? Read more
Q&A: Cure for Wet Basement
Q: We are working on a house with water in the basement. The homeowner got a bid from a specialty contractor for a comprehensive dewatering system that includes injecting a coating around the outside (without digging up the soil) and cutting the slab to install an interior perimeter drain connected to a sump pump. Wouldn’t it be easier and cheaper to solve the problem from the exterior? Read more
Q: Please comment on the durability of water-based polyurethanes for wood floors. Will these products hold up in heavy traffic areas as well as the solvent-based products? Read more
Scale: an elusive ingredient of good design Read more
Why write a business plan? Read more
How incorporation can protect your assets Read more
FastTrack: a simple scheduler for builders Read more
In support of kitchen cabinets Read more
Testing for tightness with blower doors Read more
Details for an accessible shower Read more
Wider drywall, tough job light Read more
Historic fence restoration Read more