August 2008 Table of Contents

With nowhere to go but down, this basement addition carves out extra living space from within the home’s existing footprint. Read more

Now is a good time to refine your green strategy in a way that guarantees profit. Read more

You already flash around doors and windows; you should be flashing under them, too. Read more

Use PVC trim to create a durable version of this classic cornice. Read more

Interior-design law; stabilizing steel against buckling; respect for legal immigrants Read more

Austin passes modest accessibility requirement for new houses; study finds pneumatic-nailer triggering has little effect on speed; builders fined for runoff; more Read more

Q: My painting subcontractor is recommending Thermo-Tek, a paint the manufacturer says is a radiant barrier. What can you tell me about products like this one or similar coatings made with something called ceramic microspheres that claim to have thermal characteristics and promise significant energy savings? Read more

Why your building inspector may require an engineer to sign off on any connections involving lumber that is circular rather than rectangular. Read more

Yes, they can be used to build super thick walls, but you'll probably need to have an engineer work out the details. Read more

Our company has provided remodeling and handyman services to Chicago homeowners for the past 10 years. We started out working in single-family homes, but early on an architect hired us for a large job in a high-rise apartment building. Today, high-rise work accounts for half our volume. We work in downtown Chicago, on jobs ranging from building out a closet to a $650,000 complete renovation. Read more

One question I hear fairly often from builders is, “Can a contract with a client be enforced if it’s not in writing?” The short answer is yes, it can. Back in the days when I worked at the legal shark shop, we enforced unwritten contracts all the time — though we sometimes ran into problems. Read more

Packable water-based primer; biodegradable stripper; multi-tap transformer; high-quality wall caps; more Read more

I recently bought a few pairs of NFK14 Duro Task Plus gloves from North Safety Products; they're quite comfortable. Read more

Falls are the No. 1 cause of accidental death for construction workers. Read more

OSHA says you should drink a cup of water every 15 minutes when working in hot weather. Read more

Cement-based tile backers are optimistically labeled 'score and snap,' but skinny and curving cuts can be difficult. Read more

Few things are more frustrating than trying to drill through porcelain tile with conventional glass or masonry drill bits Read more

The walls of a tub enclosure can be a bit of a stretch for standard 2- and 4-foot levels. Read more

Looking for an ergonomic notched trowel? The Alpha Smart trowel has a rotating cushioned-grip handle for greater comfort and easier placement of setting materials. Read more

What's the point of a 6 1/2-inch circular saw? Read more

Keeping the 14 all-wood grain-grinding beauties that are still standing on Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island is a full-time job. Read more

A list of companies that sell sill pans or materials for making sill pans. Read more