Framing an Elliptical Staircase
How to make and use a trammel to lay out and cut the plates for a curved stair supported by pony walls. Read more
Tool Test: Framing Nailers
Look for a gun that toenails well and can consistently set fasteners in dense material. Read more
Reroofing With Concrete Tile
Double-layer asphalt felt underlayment, sealeddown flashing systems, and firm tile attachment are the keys to an effective tile roof in hurricane country. Read more
Working With Self-Leveling Floor Underlayments
Flatten uneven subfloors quickly with these pour-inplace compounds. Read more
Big builders push for energy-efficiency initiative; remodeling shows signs of rebound; San Francisco battles sewer sludge; more Read more
Sizing Windows For an Energy-Efficient Home
Using a rule-of-thumb ratio based on the square footage of living area might make sense for lighting design, but not for energy analysis. Read more
How Far Can SIPs Be Cantilevered?
Be sure your installation isn't subject to wind or seismic loading. Read more
Building Over a Stairwell to Gain Space in a Small Second Floor
Making the most of a small upstairs Read more
A recent experience got me thinking about the competitive bid process. Read more
Walk-in Bathtub With Adjustable Wall
At first glance you can't tell that the Elevance Rising Wall Bath is a walk-in tub. Read more
Insulated Framing Materials Block Thermal Bridging
Weyerhaeuser has introduced a line of framing material designed to reduce thermal bridging. Read more
Low-Impact House Wash
Pressure-washing is fast and effective, but it can also be destructive. Read more
A Greener Garage Door
Eighty-eight percent of Overhead Door's EcoBuilt Garage Door Panel is derived from recycled Douglas fir, says the company, and the rest is a combination of exterior-grade resins and wax. Read more
Frameless Sliding Glass Shower Doors
The Skyline Series Enclosure features 3/8-inch-thick glass, recessed finger pulls, and - best of all - no metal surroundings. Read more
Steel/Polymer Garage Doors With Realistic Wood Look
Many steel-framed garage doors look like wood only from a distance. Read more
Prefab Arches
Want to avoid the hassle of fabricating curved framing on site? Consider sending the plans to Custom-Arch and letting someone else do the work. Read more
Porcelain Tile From Recycled Bath Fixtures
Fireclay Tile's Debris Series Recycled Tile is made from 70 percent recycled matter, most of it porcelain bathroom fixtures that otherwise would have ended up in a landfill, the company says. Read more
Custom Shower Control
Moen’s ioDigital vertical spa features a 7-inch-diameter rainshower, four body sprays, and an electronic control pad that allows up to four users to preset their preferred water temperature, flow rate, and spray pattern. Read more
Trouble-Free Tile
Though intended for the DIY market, Bondera TileMatSet could be a real time-saver for kitchen and bath remodelers too. Read more
Adjustable Level
The Plumb Perfect Level features end gauges that can be dialed in or out to compensate for imperfect framing (or to establish a slope). Read more
Easy-Plunge Reciprocating Saw Blade
The Spyder Bore-Blade looks more like a miniature chain saw than a typical reciprocating saw blade. Read more
Patriotic Extension Cords
As a Syracuse University basketball fan, I insist that all of my lead cords be orange. Read more
Precision Countersinking Drill Accessory
ecause the Smart-Bit predrilling and countersinking tool is designed to perfectly match the shape, head diameter, and head angle of popular screws used for deck building and woodworking, it won't produce mushrooming when used with composites, says the maker. Read more
Staining Steel Garage Doors to Look Like Wood
As the owners of a San Clemente, Calif., specialty painting company called Rags 2 Rich's, husband-and-wife team Rich Howe and Cindy Miller do a wide range of faux-finish work, including convincing renderings of masonry, plaster, and marble. Read more
