May 2006 Table of Contents

Features
Building A Block Foundation Building A Block Foundation

Instead of subcontracting the work, invest in a few masonry tools and put your own crew to work building your basements. Read more

Framing a Hipped Tray Ceiling Framing a Hipped Tray Ceiling

With this method, all you need to calculate is the length of the hip and the run of a common. Read more

Installing an Over-the-Post Handrail - Part II Installing an Over-the-Post Handrail - Part II

Loose-fitting dowels and five-minute epoxy allow fine adjustments in the assembly. Read more

Panelizing Houses Panelizing Houses

How one builder uses technology to efficiently produce distinctive custom homes off site. Read more

Synthetic Roofing Underlayments Synthetic Roofing Underlayments

These new membranes are lighter, stronger, and faster to install than traditional felt paper, but are they worth the extra expense? Read more

Letters
Letters Letters

Building paper; backpriming decks; newel layout Read more

News
In the News In the News

Flooring guidelines under attack; recycling ordinances; Spanish-language safety video; more Read more

Q & A
Narrow Shear-Wall Solution Q&A Narrow Shear-Wall Solution

Here's how to reinforce garage walls that are only 10 inches wide to prevent racking. Read more

New Use For Old Concrete New Use For Old Concrete

Recycled concrete aggregate can make a good base under pavers, as long as it doesn't contain too much unhydrated portland cement. Read more

Do Door Jambs Really Need to be Shimmed? Do Door Jambs Really Need to be Shimmed?

Gary Katz (who has hung a few thousand or so doors over his career) doesn't always use shims. Read why. Read more

Q&A: Bending Copper Pipe Q&A: Bending Copper Pipe

Q. On a recent job, a plumber who was soldering up 1/2-inch Type L copper supplies encountered an I-joist. So that he wouldn't have to cut into it, he used a pipe bender to give the pipes a slight 3- to 5-degree bend. Is this okay, or would it be better t Read more

Design
Making Guardrails Look Good Design Making Guardrails Look Good

An exterior guardrail presents an opportunity to explore a house's design themes in detail. All too often, designers and builders opt for an ill-considered stock railing that technically performs the guardrail function but neglects the spirit of the building it serves. Read more

Business
Staying Informed Can Keep You Out of Trouble Business Staying Informed Can Keep You Out of Trouble

You can get yourself in a lot of trouble in our industry by thinking you know what you really don't. Read more

Legal
Legal Spell Out Your Standards of Workmanship

We've all been there at some point: The contract's signed and you've started the job, but the customer says your work isn't good enough. Even though you believe the work meets the industry standard, you go ahead and put in more hours to improve it, because that's what your customer wants. Read more

Kitchen & Bath
Kitchen & Bath Kitchen & Bath

RO water filtration; laundry rooms; showers Read more

Products
Products

Door hardware; manufactured stairs; closets & accessories Read more

Toolbox
Toolbox Toolbox

DeWalt LaserChalkLine; Bosch 14.4-Volt Impactor; work lights; routers & accessories Read more

Backfill
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