Building a Curved Portico
Laying out and cutting everything on the ground and using synthetic millwork simplified the construction of this classic front entry porch. Read more
Tool Test: Coil Framing Nailers
Coils guns are heavier than stick nailers, so look for a well-balanced tool. Read more
Foolproof Cure for Wet Basements
Skip the exterior excavation and waterproofing -- an interior perimeter drainage system can work just as well. Read more
Success With Traditional Trim
Window details like profiled stools and aprons with applied moldings have helped this builder find a profitable niche. Read more
In the News
New tax break takes shape; top-dollar tarps in New Orleans; unvented crawlspace design guide; 2005 Solar Decathlon; more Read more
Fixing a Noisy Condo Wall
Even when properly designed, construction defects in a separation wall will allow sound to leak through. Read more
Q&A
Solving a Peeling Floor Finish Problem
If not identified and remedied, surface contaminants will prevent a floor finish from bonding during a recoat. Read more
Q&A
Shimming with Cellular PVC
Does PVC trim have enough compressive strength to be used as a shim between a supporting column and a bearing beam? Read more
On the Job: Understair Pantry
Understair pantry; hidden header detail; sturdy deck protection; firmer footing Read more
Business
Team Hiring - A Group Decision
I'm a remodeler in Northern California and do about $1.5 million per year in kitchens, baths, and whole-house remodels. Much of the work is subbed, so we can do this volume with a relatively small full-time crew; currently we have two in the office and three in the field. Read more
Kitchen sinks; bathroom fittings & fixtures Read more
Backfill
Stare-Worthy Handrail
The meticulously restored exterior of this late-19th-century mansard-roofed Victorian home in Cambridge, Mass., gives no clue to the presence of a beautifully crafted and surprisingly whimsical central staircase within. Read more
