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
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
Loose-fitting dowels and five-minute epoxy allow fine adjustments in the assembly. Read more
Panelizing Houses
How one builder uses technology to efficiently produce distinctive custom homes off site. Read more
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
In the News
Flooring guidelines under attack; recycling ordinances; Spanish-language safety video; more Read more
Q&A
Narrow Shear-Wall Solution
How can garage walls that are only 10 inches wide be reinforced to prevent racking? Read more
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?
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. 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
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
You can get yourself in a lot of trouble in our industry by thinking you know what you really don't. Read more
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
