March 2010 Table of Contents

Intelligent reuse allows an access driveway to cross a 38-foot span without damaging the stream below. Read more

In snow country, soffit-to-ridge venting is typically the most practical way to prevent ice dams in cathedral ceiling assemblies. Read more

A carefully engineered foundation and alternative septic system add value to a bargain-priced lot. Read more

New 1.28-gallon toilets do a surprisingly good job of clearing the bowl. Read more

Tax credits are great, but does your client really need a condensing boiler? Read more

Full-scale layout - and a little bit of math - simplifies the process of cutting the tapered clapboards. Read more

Housing crisis; code approval for roll-in showers; a livable wage; no back-priming required Read more

Uncertainty abounds as lead-safe remodeling deadline nears; Haiti says no thanks to formaldehyde trailers; U.S. glassmakers lose out to Chinese company; more Read more

Will through-bolted LVL nailers added to a steel I-beam make the assembly stiffer and stronger? Read more

While preparing for an extensive remodeling project, we discovered that the housewrap was installed underneath the exterior 7/16-inch plywood rather than on top. According to the scope of work, we are supposed to install 1/2-inch foam board with taped seams over the entire exterior. Will the plywood sandwiched between the housewrap and foam cause a problem with moisture buildup or anything else? Read more

Why ready-mix plants add extra sand, special aggregate, air-entraining agents, and superplasticizers instead of more water to pumped concrete. Read more

In recent years I’ve spent a lot of time speaking to and consulting with builders and remodelers, big and small, and I’ve noted that there’s often confusion about what types of costs go where on a financial statement. Read more

Cosella-Dörken’s three-ply Delta Footing Barrier keeps groundwater out of walls by providing a waterproof break between a building’s footing and its foundation Read more

Owens Corning’s EnergyComplete System has two components: a latex-based spray foam and blown-in fiberglass insulation. Read more

Fantech’s Kitchen Ventilation System contains all the components needed to build a custom range hood: a stainless steel hood liner, a remote inline fan, and an optional inline silencer. Read more

DryFlekt Kick-Out Diverters help direct water away from areas where roof surfaces intersect vertical walls and into gutters. Read more

High-volume exhaust hoods can create negative pressure in a tightly built house, which can cause backdrafting of gas-heating appliance flues. Read more

FibaFuse paperless drywall tape by Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics is composed of a porous fiberglass that makes it highly mold resistant and stronger than paper tape, says the manufacturer. Read more

Stucco-Guard by Seal-Krete protects new and old stucco against freeze/thaw damage and rain driven by winds of up to 124 mph, says the maker. Read more

Part of Jenn-Air’s new Glass Collection, the 32-inch JXP5032WS Perimetric Hood looks more like a flat-screen TV than a kitchen ventilation appliance. Read more

National Gypsum’s sound-reducing drywall now comes in a thinner size for residential use. Read more

Cooper’s SmartGuard Protection Plates protect electrical work from drywall mud and paint. Read more

My first right-angle drill was a small corded model that other carpenters were always asking to borrow. Read more

Marking out the 22 1/2-degree cuts needed for three-piece bullnose corner trim can take a bit of trial and error to get accurate results. Read more

Jenny Products' K11HGA-17P-3000W combination compressor and generator is powered by an 11-hp Honda engine with an electric starter. Read more

Heavy-duty tools previously sold under the Stanley FatMax Xtreme name are now being marketed as Stanley Bostitch products. Read more

Grip-Rite teamed up with Rol-Air to build its new wheelbarrow-style air compressors. Read more

Last fall, 20 college and university teams from the U.S. and abroad gathered in Washington, D.C., to take part in the 2009 Solar Decathlon. Read more