May 2009 Table of Contents

Traditional plaster finishes off this simple, elegant bit of framing. Read more

If you plan to work on pre-1978 houses, you’ll need certification by April 2010. Read more

Airtight construction and a thick layer of exterior foam save energy and reduce the risk of rot and mold. Read more

Carefully shoring the entire structure allowed it to be repaired one section at a time. Read more

Missing lintel; residential sprinklers; solar on site; epoxy warning; scraper problem; more Read more

Energy Star adopts tougher window standards; Entran II settlement winds down; OSHA trainer charged with selling fake certificates; more Read more

Veteran plastering contractor Ron Webber has a quick trick that works better than plastic stucco cement. Read more

There are a variety of repellents that will make siding less appetizing to squirrels, but you might have to do a little taste-testing to find the right one. Read more

Why replacing a shallow sink basin with a deeper one may require moving the trap arm connection at the drain. Read more

Read how a New Hampshire carpenter supported a unique walnut kitchen countertop with custom-fabricated steel brackets fastened to studs. Read more

The sudden popularity of all things green is exposing builders — whether they know it or not — to new legal risks. There are risks associated with drafting the contract, navigating the permit approval process, and resolving disputes over projects that fail to achieve their sustainability goals. Read more

Sheathing panels; wood countertops; closet light; extra-thick PVC trim boards; corded housewrap; more Read more

After years of hauling around a compressor, it occurred to me that for the number of nails I need to drive, I could run my guns off the same Power Tank I used to inflate the tires of my off-road vehicle. Read more

Ridgid's new R250AF18 15-gauge finish nailer runs on a compact 18-volt lithium ion battery pack and weighs 2 pounds less than the competition, says Ridgid. Read more

Now you can keep battery chargers or a heater running overnight without pinching an extension cord under the lid of your crew box. Read more

Tired of trying — and failing — to seal the ends of your half-used caulk tubes with tape or a nail? Read more

Bostitch's CPACK300 combination kit packages three finish tools with a 6-gallon oil-free pancake compressor and a hose. Read more

Hitachi has entered the floor-fastening market with five new nailers and staplers. Read more

Tajima's Chalk-Rite Jam-Free CR301JF holds 3 1/2 ounces of chalk — enough to snap 689 feet of lines, says the maker. Read more

Wrestling a thick sheet of MDF onto a table saw by yourself can be a real feat, but attaching a LegUp pivoting sheet-goods lifter to your saw table or fence rail can help. Read more

Using hidden deck-fastening hardware makes for a neater-looking composite deck but takes longer than using face-installed screws. Read more

After supplier quotes for the 1,000 ornamental balusters in a planned luxury home’s porch railings came in at $150 apiece, BOJ Construction of Boston decided to look elsewhere — namely in-house. Read more