Rainproofing Stucco Trim
Nailing trim through stucco without proper flashing is a recipe for disaster Read more
Solar Hot Water 101
Solar water heating has a proven record of cutting energy costs. Here's what you need to know to help customers choose the right system. Read more
Spraying Clear Waterborne Lacquer
A pressure pot is the best way to apply this low-VOC finish Read more
Supporting a Wide-Span Floor With Structural Steel
Sculptural steel columns and beams turned a two-car garage into a two-story living space Read more
In the News
Cement supply update; Hurricane Katrina damage estimates; free resources; a murderous client; Web site for wood trading; deconstructing the new energy bil Read more
Q&A
Avoiding Nail Pops in Roof Shingles
Whether caused by a shingle nail or a sheathing nail, the prescription is simple. Read more
Q. Do any I-joist manufacturers still use plywood webs? At my local lumberyard, I was told that manufacturers switched from plywood to OSB webs because the plywood tended to delaminate, but I suspect the real reason is that OSB is cheaper. I'd prefer to use plywood I-joists, because I think they'd be stronger Read more
Keeping Garage Fumes at Bay
Five ways to prevent potentially fatal garage fumes from entering a house. Read more
Retrofitting a Lally Column
How to replace an old brick pier with a Lally column without cracking the beam or the plaster in the rooms above. Read more
JLC Classic
Roof Demo by Crane
Cutting an old roof up in sections and lifting it away is often faster and safer than demoing it in place. Read more
How to think like a company; protect yourself from employee theft Read more
Faucets; glass & ceramic tile Read more
Backfill
Insulated Swimming Pool, Anyone?
When builder Todd LaBarge wanted to install a vinyl-lined swimming pool at his home, he looked no further than the stack of ICF forms left over from the construction of his house and workshop foundations. Read more
