Hanging A Door From Scratch
With a router, a hinge template, and a few other specialized tools, custom doors are almost as easy to fit as prehungs. Read more
Our annual listing of features and departments. Read more
Replacing an Electrical Service
Upgrading service equipment increases safety and load capacity while bringing the house up to code. Read more
Decorative Sidewall Shingles
Cut out with a jigsaw, these vines won't rot the siding or harbor bird's nests. Read more
Underpinning a Garage Foundation
Before adding new living space above an existing garage, the footings may have to be reinforced to handle the load. Read more
Q&A
Slate in the Shower
Slate is porous and harder to keep clean than ceramic tile, but is there a good sealer that can be used with the slate so that maintenance will be manageable? Read more
Q&A
Can a Structural Insulated Panel Delaminate?
Just how reliable is the bond between the OSB skin and the EPS (expanded polystyrene) core of a SIPs panel anyway? Read more
Q. Is Drywall Needed With Spray-Foam Basement Insulation? When the interior walls of an unfinished basement have been insulated with Icynene (or a similar spray-foam insulation), can the foam be left exposed, or does it have to be covered by a noncombustible material? Read more
On the Job: Wet-Location Protection for Hardwood Flooring
Wet-location protection for hardwood flooring; an old nailing trick; recip blade compass Read more
The remodeling business is largely a service business: The companies that give customers the best service tend to get the best referrals. But to deliver truly superlative service, you've got to have all the cards — and in today's competitive market your trump card may be the ability to arrange financing. Read more
Backfill
Ghosts of the Gold Rush
In Bodie, California, the buildings haven't been inhabited for more than a half century. The trick is to keep them looking that way. Read more
