A sunroom specialist shows how to frame, glaze, and flash a durable, elegant solar addition. Read more
A wide range of engineered wood, plastic, and fiber-cement trim products are available for builders who are considering alternatives to solid lumber. Read more
Framing Nailers
This job-site review of available stick nailers will help you in making your next purchase. Read more
Because of its greater data capacity and reasonable cost, Category 5 wiring has replaced conventional bell wire in custom homes. Here’s what you need to know to install it correctly. Read more
A Florida roofing contractor tells how to select and install a screw-down metal roof. Read more
This straightforward system will help you manage cash flow, and avoid disruptive shortfalls and expensive loans. Read more
Q: I have a 240-volt electric job-site heater, which is required by the NEC to be GFCI protected. Will a 120/240 two-pole GFCI breaker provide protection for a 240-volt load with no neutral? In what situations would a 120/240 two-pole GFCI breaker be recommended? Read more
Q&A: Correcting Sagging Joists
Q: A double 2x8 floor joist that runs beneath a nonbearing partition has deflected 5/8 inch in the middle. If I jack the joist up, returning the compressed and stretched wood fibers back to their original positions, will they stay that way? Read more
Q&A: Installing Cedar Siding Over Rigid Foam Sheathing
Q: What are the risks of installing cedar siding directly over foil-faced rigid foam insulation? Should tar paper or housewrap be used as well? Read more
Q: We are planning to use pressure-treated wood as exterior trim on a house with fiber-cement siding. The siding will be finished with acrylic paint. Is pressure-treated wood appropriate for use as exterior trim? What precautions, if any, are necessary when painting pressure-treated wood? Can we use the same acrylic paint we will be using on the siding, or should we be using an oil-based paint? Read more
Avoiding bungled bungalow additions Read more
Using the past to predict future job volume Read more
Check your insurance coverage before the crisis hits Read more
Small business accounting manual; guide to working alone; builder’s field guide Read more
New higher-voltage cordless circular saws Read more
A temple built to last a thousand years Read more