September 2005 Table of Contents

Features
Adding Timber Rafter Tails To a Stick-Framed Roof Adding Timber Rafter Tails To a Stick-Framed Roof

A good plan and shop-made parts simplify this classy detail. Read more

Avoiding Expensive Mistakes Avoiding Expensive Mistakes

Use this preconstruction checklist to head off trouble before the job starts. Read more

Drywall Art Drywall Art

Layering drywall is a simple way to dress up an otherwise boring surface. Read more

New Products for Kitchen and Bath New Products for Kitchen and Bath

What we found while tromping the aisles of K/BIS 2005. Read more

Protecting Doors and Windows In Wet Climates Protecting Doors and Windows In Wet Climates

To fend off rot, treat wood with borates and epoxy coatings, keep jambs and sills elevated, and provide ventilation wherever you can. Read more

Letters
Letters Letters

Wiring for the future; painting stucco; window flashing Read more

News
In The News In The News

New soy-based glue creates bond without formaldehyde; lumber chain targets builders; Texas grapples with workers' comp; more Read more

Q & A
Q&A LVLs Rotting in Crawlspaces

Q. Many homes in the Dallas area are built on crawlspaces and use LVL beams. Most of these homes have dirt floors but are built to code with regard to crawlspace ventilation. In many cases, I'm finding that the engineered wood is rotting at the point wher Read more

How to Insulate a Knee Wall Q&A How to Insulate a Knee Wall

In this notoriously leaky and difficult-to-insulate area, both the insulation and the air barrier must be continuous. Read more

How to Tape a Knee Wall Q&A How to Tape a Knee Wall

Myron Ferguson breaks down how to get perfectly straight drywall joints on the irregular inside corners of knee walls and sloped ceilings. Read more

Limits on Electrical Outlets Q&A Limits on Electrical Outlets

What does the code say about how many receptacles can be put on 15-amp and 20-amp circuits? Read more

On the Job
On the Job: Fast Drawers On the Job: Fast Drawers

Fast drawers; easy brick cleanup Read more

Business
Business Business

Curb insurance costs with a health savings account; handyman's choice: generalization or specialization? Read more

Legal
Legal Plan Ahead With a Buy-Sell Agreement

Most contractors are so immersed in the day-to-day issues of running a company they fail to protect themselves against events that could cost them or their families the business. Read more

Kitchen & Bath
Tile Backsplash Tips Kitchen & Bath Tile Backsplash Tips

If your clients are like me, they're not looking for any extra places to clean. So why suggest that they install a 3- or 4-inch-tall backsplash on their kitchen countertop? Read more

Products
Products

Time-saving towel bars; electronics garage; manufactured chimneys; structural sheathing; outdoor lighting Read more

Toolbox
Toolbox Toolbox

LVLs in crawlspaces; insulating knee walls; taping knee walls; limits on outlets Read more

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