A New Kitchen in An Old House
Shifting an exterior wall made room for a larger, brighter, more versatile space. Read more
Faster Wall Framing
By breaking the work into simple tasks, three men get one job done as quickly as possible. Read more
Our annual listing of features and departments. Read more
Installing a Vacuum-Tube Solar Collector
These highly efficient systems are a good choice in cloudy or cold climates. Read more
Homeland Security reconsiders "no match" rule; Harvard Joint Center's Kermit Baker forecasts betters days for remodeling; more Read more
Q: I build custom homes in a northern (heating) climate. My clients want tight, well-insulated homes - we use cellulose and often spray foam - but many also want a wood-burning fireplace. Is it possible to have a traditional hearth in a modern, tightly insulated home? Read more
Q: What is the best way to seal hairline cracks in a concrete driveway? The products I've found at home centers seem too thick, and my client is concerned that the cracks will get worse during the winter months. Read more
Q: Is it okay to glue OSB or plywood sheathing to the wall framing before fastening the sheathing with nails? It seems that this would be a simple and cost-effective way to add strength to a wall assembly while reducing air infiltration. Read more
Q: Is the flash-and-batt technique - where an inch or two of spray-foam insulation is applied to the interior side of roof or wall sheathing before fitting rafter and stud bays with fiberglass batts - a good way to insulate? Read more
Q&A
Hiding Knotholes in Exterior Trim
A pro has a remedy for when knots and sap stains discolor previously primed eastern white pine exterior trim. Read more
You probably think that I have been around too long and have seen too many contracts to sign anything containing an important specification that isn't clearly defined. Surely I would never do something as stupid as that, right? Read more
Backfill
Workbench Wonderland
For some of us, vintage tools are impossible to resist. The mere sight of them incites an overwhelming compulsion to buy, regardless of need. Read more
