This screen-by-screen tutorial will help you get more mileage out of your spreadsheet program, regardless of the task. Read more
Whether you spec the cabinets for your projects or help the clients make the choice, this article will bring you up to date on the storage accessories being offered by cabinet manufacturers. Read more
Framing, Day One
A framing contractor explains how he organizes his five-man crew to break down the lumber package, lay out plates, and start building walls on the first day on the job. Read more
Here’s how to lay out and assemble professional-looking dropped ceilings. Read more
A production-oriented finish carpenter shows how to build elegant but affordable mantels from MDF and stock moldings. Read more
Q: I am planning to replace the porch floor on a 120-year-old Victorian home. Since cedar and redwood seem too soft for a porch floor, I am choosing between tongue-and-groove yellow pine, vertical-grain fir, and mahogany. Can you explain the advantages and disadvantages of these species when used for a porch floor? As for the finish, I’m considering a transparent oil stain, because deck paint is slippery to walk on, and the stain will allow the wood grain to show through. It’s also an advantage that a stain will not peel. What is your advice? Read more
Q: I’m building an outdoor patio, and the plans call for a ceramic tile counter near the grill. What types of vitreous tile are suitable for outdoor use? Read more
Q: When installing a zero-clearance metal fireplace, are there any requirements for fire stops or draft stops? Does the inside of the chase need to be drywalled? Read more
Q: I do a lot of renovation work in old homes, and the work includes a lot of demolition. I am very concerned about health hazards from lead-based paint and asbestos. I make it a practice of wearing the best respirator I can find. Unfortunately, every type of eye goggles I have tried fogs up when used with a respirator, to the point where I can’t see what I’m doing. Once the goggles fog up, I end up taking them off. My question is, can you get lead or asbestos poisoning through your eyes? Read more
Q: After reading the article "Using Water Heaters for Radiant Heat" (11/98), I decided to replace my boiler with a 75-gallon propane water heater. In general, this is working great, except that about every three weeks the pressure-temperature relief valve, which is rated at 210°F, keeps tripping. I live in the cold climate of Michigan, and I need to keep the water heater temperature set on "High," which is about 180-190°F. When the relief valve trips, I notice that the water temperature is about 195°F. What’s going on? Read more
Q: I want to lighten the color of 15-year-old cedar paneling that has darkened with age. The wall paneling consists of 3/8x6-inch tongue-and-groove clear cedar installed over 1/2-inch drywall. I took a sample of the interior cedar and experimented with a bleaching method I often use outdoors. I applied a solution of diluted household bleach to the cedar, followed by flushing with ample amounts of water. The results were quite satisfactory, but the procedure obviously won’t work indoors. Read more
Q: How do you go about using sand instead of concrete for thermal mass in a radiant floor, as mentioned in the Sept. ’98 article "Hardwood Flooring Over Radiant Heat"? Read more
Q: What is the best material to use to patch Icynene spray foam insulation? Sometimes it’s necessary to remove a substantial amount of the stuff after it has been installed. Read more
Designing a contemporary home with a period feel Read more
Cooperating with your building inspector Read more
When you hire your spouse Read more
A simple system for quick cabinet estimates Read more
The underground man Read more
