June 2011 Table of Contents

Pressure-treated wood foundations (also known as permanent wood foundations, or PWFs) have been around at least since the 1940s, and my own experience with them dates back 20 years or so. Read more

Our construction company recently completed a major remodel and energy retrofit of a split-level home in northern Vermont. Read more

Decks have seen little attention from building codes over the years, despite the fact that they often bear the weight of parties and public gatherings. Read more

The new generation of lithium-ion subcompacts are lightweight and surprisingly powerful for their size. Read more

Builders sound off about competitive bidding; sealing poly with mastic; questions about California roof tile standards; gluing sheathing for air sealing; more Read more

Sprinkler foes buoyed by Pennsylvania victory; federal court rejects challenge to revised OSHA fall-protection rules; more Read more

Here's the right way to treat reclaimed wood for insects and mold before using it inside a home. Read more

Options include screwing unglued subflooring down, acoustically sealing seams and gaps, and installing a sound-mitigating ceiling below. Read more

When I was a young builder in the early '80s, there was an old-timer in town who worked with a couple of his sons, a small crew, and a handful of good local subcontractors. Read more

The Stair Simple Axxys Railing System uses unique pivoting connectors to join the stair rail to the newel post and the balusters to the rail, eliminating any need for complex miter cuts. Read more

All of American Standard's bathroom faucets feature the easy-to-install Speed Connect Drain. Read more

Outwater says its 100% Recycled Cornice and Crown Mouldings are made entirely from reclaimed polystyrene but match the quality of moldings made from virgin polymers. Read more

Hiding the entrance to a utility room behind a moveable bookcase is a terrific idea until you try to find hardware that's up to the challenge. Read more

Three years ago, Delta introduced a line of kitchen faucets with a battery-operated sensor that made it possible to turn on the taps without touching them. Read more

If you're looking to create a dramatic entryway but can't find the right door, consider a custom mahogany unit from Borano. Read more

TriggerFoam Pro Window & Door Foam will not disfigure window and door frames when it expands, says the maker. Read more

According to its maker, the Armor Screen Fabric Hurricane Protection System defends windows from flying debris as effectively as plywood but installs and packs away much more easily. Read more

Barricade SubFloor Tiles combine a high-performance OSB top surface with an XPS rigid insulation base layer. Read more

The DoorSaver II is a replacement hinge pin with an adjustable mechanism that uses the exposed portion of the hinge leaf (rather than the soft face of the door or casing) as a stop. Read more

ViriBright LED Light Bulbs offer the efficiency, durability, and dimmability of LEDs at a price closer to what you'd expect to pay for high-quality compact fluorescents. Read more

The 5N1 Gutter System is intended to be installed when the house is built. Read more

I was introduced to the Max PowerLite high-pressure pneumatic fastening system in 2007 while testing framing nailers for Tools of the Trade magazine. Read more

The Cut-N-Crown System features a plastic jig that replicates a molding's spring angle so that you can cut both sides of a miter without resetting the saw. Read more

With LED lighting and a head length of only 3 3„4 inches, Milwaukee's M18 Cordless 3„8" Right-Angle Drill Driver might make life a bit easier for cabinet installers - or anyone who works in dark cramped quarters. Read more

If you've ever had to rummage around for a lost Allen key, you'll appreciate Metabo's new ASE18 LTX 18V cordless reciprocating saw. Read more

When temperatures soar, why not try a distinctive approach to keeping cool? Read more

When artist-renovator Doug Hopkins arrived at the kitchen and bath phase of his first remodeling project, he decided to make his own decorative tiles for the showers, baths, kitchen counters, and wood-stove surrounds. Read more