Building a Simple Passive House
In September 2009 I completed a deep energy retrofit on a small house in Point Reyes Station, Calif., some 50 miles north of San Francisco. Read more
Combining Two Condos
Read how a pair of self-closing fire doors preserved the fire rating of the wall between the two units. Read more
We were wrapping up the latest in a series of renovation projects on a suburban Maryland split-level home when I casually mentioned to the owner that her Thanksgiving family gatherings would be a lot more enjoyable if her small kitchen weren't separated from the dining and living areas by a wall. Read more
Hydronic Heating for Low-Load Houses
With the right hardware and layout, hot-water heating saves energy and makes ideal use of the sun. Read more
JLC Report: New Code Requirements for Tornado Safe Rooms Kick In as Demand Spikes
New code requirement for tornado safe rooms; OSHA postpones alternative fall-protection prohibition; Chinese drywall supplier settles with homeowners Read more
Is Weathered OSB Okay?
How to evaluate exterior-rated OSB sheathing that has been left exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. Read more
Is There a Safe Lead Level For Soils Next to a House?
The risk is low, but before gardening it's a good idea to have the soil tested and - if necessary - amended to immobilize the lead. Read more
Q&A: Hot-Mopping Health Risks
Q: I received the new JLC book "Tiling for Contractors," by Michael Byrne, and was dismayed to see that there is no section that addresses hot-mop shower pans, including framing, backing, and pan installation. Why not? Read more
Weaving a Cedar Roof Valley
Cedar roofs are common in Eastern Massachusetts, where I live and work. Read more
LED Light Bulb
According to GE, fins surrounding the new 9-watt Energy Smart LED bulb dissipate heat and disperse light, making it the world's first omnidirectional LED replacement bulb. Read more
Brighter Fan Lights
Broan and NuTone recently announced that they've improved the lighting for their Ultra Silent Ventilation Fans With Lights. Read more
Discreet Keyless Entry
The SimpliciKey Remote Control Electronic Deadbolt is designed to look just like a traditional mechanical lock (it even has a functional keyhole). Read more
Sun-Resistant Underlayment
Grace Ice & Water Shield HT provides the same protection against ice dams and wind-driven rain as the company's standard underlayment - but it's made with an adhesive that is unaffected by temperatures as high as 240°F, the maker says. Read more
Low-Noise Fan
A new player has jumped into the high-end bath-fan market. Delta Products Corp. says Breez Ventilation Fans have ball-bearing-equipped DC brushless motors and 67-fin impellers for ultra-quiet energy-efficient operation. Read more
Mineral Surface Underlayment
IB-3 StormStopper is a self-adhering (50-mil-thick) mineral surface underlayment that can be used to protect trouble spots like valleys and rake edges or the entire roof. Read more
Lead-Safe Video
If you sat through the eight-hour RRP training course and still can't figure out how to follow the law without going bankrupt, you're not alone. Read more
Dressed-Up Suspended Ceiling
Why settle for an institutional-looking ceiling just to provide access to mechanicals? Read more
Lightweight Green Pavers
Vast's Composite Pavers are made almost entirely from recycled materials - mostly scrap tires and plastic bottles - and weigh one-third as much as traditional brick or concrete. Read more
Ventilating Acrylic-Block Windows
US Block Windows' operable acrylic-block windows provide the appearance and privacy features of conventional glass blocks - but they open and close. Read more
Tough Tile Grout
Laticrete says its new SpectraLock Pro Premium Grout is GreenGuard-certified (for low-VOC emissions) yet exceeds the toughest commercial performance standards. Read more
Floodproof Subfloor
Tapered edges help PointSix Flooring go down flat and stay flat even when exposed to severe job-site weather or flooding, says the maker. Read more
Three Milwaukee 12-Volt Cordless Plumbing Tools
Earlier this year, my crew and I tested three cordless plumbing tools from Milwaukee's M12 lithium-ion line. Read more
Patterned Welding Helmets
Hard hats festooned with sports logos have been available for years. Read more
Affordable Video Scope For Site Inspections
With a price tag of just $200, the VS36-10WD Video Scope may hasten the day when every remodeler has an inspection scope in his or her tool kit. Read more
Lightweight Aluminum Break
Aluminum fabricators who fly solo might appreciate the Ultima Plus Alum-A-Brake, which has a removable work table that pops off in five seconds, lightening the load by 20 pounds. Read more
Hillside Elevators
Waterfront property never goes out of style, and everyone likes a spectacular building site perched on high ground. Read more
