Beyond the Basics With ICFs
Curved walls and arch-topped openings are possible with standard blocks. Read more
Rebuilding a Chimney Top
Stainless anchors and pressure-injected grout form a strong bond with the original masonry. Read more
Running Wire in Conduit
EMT costs more up front, but it's less likely to get damaged and makes future upgrades a lot easier. Read more
Stretching the Span With Steel
T-shaped beams fabricated from a standard I-beam help uncramp a basement space. Read more
Writing a Best-Practice Manual
Using a standardized set of procedures speeds installation and reduces callbacks. Read more
Q: I'm building a house in North Carolina, which has a mixed-humid climate (climate zone 3). My local building inspector - backed up by his boss - requires a polyethylene vapor retarder on the interior side of cellulose-insulated walls. My insulation contractor says that interior polyethylene is not only unnecessary in this type of climate, but it may create condensation problems. What should I do? Read more
The Secret for Removing Epoxy Grout
Using a heat gun to soften cured epoxy grout makes it easier to scrape the excess off tiles and fixtures. Read more
Is There a Fix for Bouncy I-Joists?
If the I-joists are sized and installed properly, the best cure might be adding carpet and furniture to the room. Read more
Q: Can finger-jointed studs be used for wall plates and short window and door headers? Read more
On the Job: Future-Proof Footings
Future-proof footings; fiber cement at a clip; squeak reducer Read more
All clients come to the table with a set of unspoken expectations, some of which they may not even be aware of. Because these assumptions will inform every decision they make, it's important to bring them into the open and prioritize them early on. This will help you decide whether you and the clients are a good fit — and it will make the job go more smoothly later on. Read more
My husband, my brother-in-law, and I were sitting around reminiscing about construction slowdowns we've been through. (What can I say? We're old.) My brother-in-law talked about the '70s, when to avoid laying off his crew he sent them to his mother's house to paint. He was hoping that by the time they finished he'd have some other jobs lined up. Instead, he wound up sending them to the homes of his mother's friends, too. Read more
Appliances, fixtures, and finishes Read more
Backfill
Turning Monster Posts on a Shop-Built Lathe
When a local remodeler approached me about reproducing five porch posts for a 140-year-old house in Boulder, Colo., my interest was piqued. Despite the fact that I didn't have a lathe — much less one that could turn 10-foot posts — I took the contract, figuring I could build my own to do the job. Read more
EPA lead rules published; Arizona loses workers; California BA pushes green standards; more Read more
