Here are five cost-effective ways to cut energy costs in new construction and remodels. Read more
These common oversights will lead to early building failure. Read more
In the rush to get ready for April 15th, don’t forget these deductions. Read more
A project manager tells how he communicates with subcontractors to ensure work of the highest quality. Read more
A finish expert shows step-by-step how to install metal jambs perfectly every time. Read more
Stripping Old Paint
A painter shows how to use a nontoxic chemical stripper to safely remove old exterior paint. Read more
A builder describes his proven method for adding a full-height basement to a crawlspace foundation. Read more
Wrapping the House: Do's & Don'ts
It’s easy to get sloppy when installing housewrap and flashings, but beware — reverse laps can dump water into the structure. Read more
An Electrical Panel in the Kitchen?
There's more than one reason why you can't put an electrical panel under a counter. A master electrician explains why. Read more
Q&A: Upstairs Window Egress Rules
Q: I know that the sill of an egress window in a second-floor bedroom must be no higher than a certain distance from the floor to allow for easy escape. But what if it’s a tall window that is only 12 inches off the floor? Is this a code violation? Read more
Q: I plan to install radially cut spruce clapboards on a new house and want to stain them with a white semitransparent or opaque stain. What type of finish appearance should I expect, and how often will the finish need to be renewed? Although stained siding looks better to me than painted siding, I know that some people say that stain is "just thinned paint." Read more
Q: Since ventilated attics can be breezy, doesn’t the wind rob heat from the insulated ceiling? Would it help to install housewrap on top of the R-38 fiberglass batt insulation? If the client wanted a storage area, I could install plywood over the housewrap. Similarly, would it help to have housewrap on the back of second-floor kneewalls, which I typically insulate with R-24 batts? Read more
Q: I’m building an exterior stairway from a deck to grade. Is there a building code requirement that the risers of an exterior stairway all be the same height? Read more
Improving plan book facades Read more
Charging for estimates not an end in itself Read more
Comp claims for off-the-job accidents Read more
Quick Bid 2000 review Read more
Layout tool for segmental arches Read more