March 1998 Table of Contents

Features
A Simple System for Turning a Profit

There are only so many billable hours in a year. By including overhead and profit in labor charges, a small construction company can ensure that all its costs are covered. Read more

Clear Finishes for Interior Woodwork

A trio of professional painters tell how to match a clear finish to the job and provide tips for blemish-free application. Read more

CO Leaks Causes & Cures

In today’s tighter houses, carbon monoxide leaks are potentially more deadly than ever. These three case studies show how careful detective work can uncover and eliminate common sources of CO contamination. Read more

Update: Engineered Lumber

The decline in the quality of solid-sawn lumber has led manufacturers to develop a growing variety of engineered lumber substitutes. We look at some of the new materials that are finding their way on to residential job sites. Read more

Flashing a Leakproof Valley Flashing a Leakproof Valley

Valley flashing takes a beating, whether from heavy rain runoff or melting snow and ice. A long-time roofing contractor explains the proper way to waterproof, flash, and shingle a durable valley. Read more

Structural Slabs With Foam Forms

For builders using insulated concrete forms, attaching a wood floor system is the hardest part of the job. A structural slab, by contrast, is easy to install, has excellent resistance to fire and sound transmission, and works well with radiant floor heating. Here’s a step-by-step look at both steel joist and steel pan forming systems. Read more

Letters
Letters

Kitchen lighting, lead carpenter speaks out, building beyond codes Read more

News
Notebook

Targeting an aging market, up-tick in manu-factured housing, high cost of water hookup Read more

Q&A
Q&A: Roof Vent Requirements

Q: By code, how many linear feet of ridge vent is needed per square of roofing? Read more

Q&A: Retrofitting Plywood Clips

Q: A friend of mine recently tried to sell a home. The buyers’ inspector discovered that no plywood clips had been installed on the roof sheathing. The roof has trusses 24 inches on-center and either 1/2-inch plywood or 7/16-inch OSB sheathing. Does anyone know a quick and easy fix for this? Read more

Design
By Design: A Fitting Addition

Designing an addition that fits Read more

Business
Strictly Business: Defusing Client Disagreements

What to do when clients can’t agree Read more

Legal
Legal Adviser: Avoiding Liability for Subs

Avoiding liability for subcontractor errors Read more

Computers
Engineering
Kitchen & Bath
Kitchen & Bath: Effective Venting Strategies

Good, better, best venting strategies Read more

Products
Products

Locknut wrench for electrical boxes, touch-up drywall mud in a tube, light-weight portable compressor, new hidden deck fastener Read more

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