February 2011 Table of Contents

Get faster dry-in and a tighter building envelope without housewrap. Read more

A horizontal beam and steel tie rods resist rafter thrust with little disruption to the rest of the structure. Read more

Properly maintained, this elastomeric coating can protect a metal roof indefinitely. Read more

How a wet-climate builder details the layers to keep out the rain. Read more

This automated time clock can speed payroll, improve job-costing, and help you estimate more accurately. Read more

Don't forget insulation; thermal solar storage; time-saving sidewall detail Read more

Passive House seeks broader appeal; proposed code changes stir controversy in North Carolina; more Read more

Why insulating and air-sealing the envelope rather than ventilating the roof will keep a coastal home's interior cooler and drier. Read more

A heavy-bodied primer can solve the problem of taped joints and sanded paper showing through the paint finish. Read more

Every porch or deck I build starts with level footings and solid, plumb concrete piers - insurance that my projects will stand for many years to come. Read more

Over 20 years ago, on a vinyl siding job, I screened in a deck that had a shed roof. Read more

For the past few months we've been focusing on planning - but sooner or later you're going to have to build something in order to earn that income you're planning for. Read more

Floodchek washing machine hoses are made from industrial-grade hose and machined brass couplings. Read more

One-piece polymer construction makes the MH Tuff Box leakproof, says the maker - an advantage over conventional sheet-metal diffusers. Read more

Cost and complexity are the two main reasons you don't see a photovoltaic array on every rooftop in America (except in Seattle). Read more

Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring from HomerWood is milled from old-growth red and white oak salvaged from condemned barns. Read more

Tube skylights are a great way to bring natural light into interior spaces. Read more

Although designers routinely convert old dressers into bath vanities, the units seldom age well in wet conditions. Read more

The benefits of rain-screen siding are beyond dispute, but getting the details right can be tricky. Read more

Some safety equipment is specific to certain conditions or tasks, but eye protection should be worn all the time. Read more

It's no myth that cedar can protect clothing from moths, says the maker of CedarSafe Natural ClosetLiner. Read more

LEDme Recessed Downlights offer the energy efficiency and life span of LED technology concealed within a discreet design. Read more

Many people don't realize that a dehumidifier is as costly to operate as a room air conditioner. Read more

StoGuard is a liquid coating that's applied with a sprayer directly onto wood or gypsum-based sheathing. Read more

You can start a pretty good argument on a job site simply by asking which is better: a fixed-head miter saw or a slider. Read more

The Quickfire Hand Torch fits easily in tight cavities that other torches are too big for, says the maker. Read more

A few years ago, Werner began equipping many of its stepladders with a top cap designed to hold a variety of tools and paint containers. Read more

Bosch recently came out with an adaptor plate that lets you use the company's extensive collection of cutting and sanding attachments on any brand of oscillating multi-tool. Read more

The Super Pencil looks like a typical carpenter's pencil except that all of it - not just the core - is graphite. Read more

A long look back at the humble screw. Read more