October 2011 Table of Contents

Late last year, a couple called me about some leaking windows on the back of their 5-year-old stucco house. My company hadn't built the home; it was part of a tract development in Southeastern Pennsylvania thrown up during the recent housing boom. Read more

Use premium materials and a methodical approach to achieve a cabinet-grade finish. Read more

There are more than 100 million homes and approximately 20 billion square feet of clear-glass residential windows in the U.S. Most of those homes are more than 30 years old, and as a result, the market is growing for replacement windows with energy-efficient insulating glass. Read more

A hassle-free, solo installation sequence for solid-core doors Read more

Roll roofing was the wrong material for the flat roof under this second-story deck. Read more

Oldie but goodie; combo condo question; chimney-cap follow-up Read more

Concerns about spray foam; passive-house rift; deck failures; and more Read more

I need to convert an attic to livable space with minimal disruption to first-floor habitation. Read more

Sleek but strong handrail; backyard face-lift; easier winders Read more

Self-adhesive fire tape; condensing boiler; insulated skylights; minimalist receptacles; multipurpose toilet; affordable LEDs; wood tiles; dryer fan; more Read more

Flame Fighter is a self-adhesive fire tape that needs no joint compound to make unfinished walls code-compliant. Read more

According to Triangle Tube, the Prestige Solo Condensing Boiler is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly heating systems on the market. Read more

Aerogel is an ultra-efficient translucent insulator that’s been used in commercial skylights since 2003. Read more

Armstrong’s S-289 Releasable Sheet Floor Adhesive is a water-based low-VOC formulation designed to make residential vinyl-backed flooring easier to install and repair. Read more

If you can’t stand the sight of cover plates, consider Bocci’s 22 Series Wall Accessories. Read more

WarmWire floor heat cable makes it easy to incorporate radiant heat into a kitchen or bath: You simply tape cable straps to each side of the subfloor, weave the cable between the straps, and cover with a cement-based or gypsum-based mortar. Read more

Instead of replacing a sound single-pane window, consider adding Solar Gard Silver AG 50 Low-E Window Film. Read more

The Profile Smart Toilet conserves space as well as water, says the manufacturer. Read more

Switch Bulb Co. says its new LED replacement bulbs combine the color and dimmability of incandescents with the efficiency and longevity of LEDs at an affordable price — $20 per bulb. Read more

Fortis Arbor Wood Mosaics are hand-cut from scraps of bamboo, teak, and rosewood left over from furniture-making. Read more

With the Dryer Duct Booster you can set up a laundry room almost anywhere in the house without worrying about the length of the exhaust run or the number of bends. Read more

Fireclay’s Crush 100% Recycled Glass Tile is made from raw waste glass that’s been crushed, reprocessed, and fired. Read more

Bosch GTS1031 10-inch table saw Read more

Though best-known for clamps and layout tools, Bora also makes a full line of spirit levels, which it says can take anything the job site dishes out. Read more

The DustBuddie is a clear plastic shroud that replaces the factory guard on most grinders and - when attached to an effective vacuum - captures 99 percent of the dust generated by grinding, says the maker. Read more

Bosch's new GLM 80 laser features a unique "two-axis tilt sensor" that can determine the height of distant objects and perform straight-line measurements. Read more

Graco says its RentalPro Airless Paint Sprayers have been designed to stand up to the rigors of the rental market. Read more

Rammed-earth walls used to be elementary. Read more