Contemporary Bathroom Addition
A stepped footprint makes the most of space left by a property easement. Read more
Masonry Remodeling Tips
Two projects illustrate how a methodical approach and careful details keep old walls from crumbling. Read more
A Stress-tested Rainscreen Siding Detail
Are you sure that the screws you're using to fasten vertical strapping over exterior foam are strong enough to support the clapboards? Read more
Sidewall Shingles Over Foam Sheathing
Always use a drainage plane, but the thickness of the foam can determine the strategy. Read more
Q: I'm building an outdoor deck for a client who wants me to use lumber treated with micronized copper, in the belief that it's less harmful to the environment than wood treated with other chemicals. I'm not very familiar with the material. Can it be used in ground-contact applications, including load-bearing posts? Read more
Do RRP Rules Apply When the Homeowner Does the Demo?
It's OK to have them do the demo, but you still have to follow lead-safe work practices. Read more
Big Power, Small Package
According to Rheem, the 29-gallon XR90 Extreme Recovery Gas Water Heater exceeds the performance of most 50-gallon water heaters but costs less to operate than any standard 30-, 40-, or 50-gallon model. Read more
Safer Spray-Foam Cleaner
Touch ’n Seal now offers a more environmentally friendly way to clean uncured spray foam from hands, tools, and applicator guns. Poly-Clean is VOC-free and nonirritating to skin, says the manufacturer. Read more
Interior Paint
Advance Waterborne Interior Alkyd flows on and levels out like a traditional alkyd but has low VOC content (less than 50 grams/liter) and cleans up with soap and water. Read more
Sun-Powered Fan
Broan’s 20-watt Solar-Powered Attic Ventilator can ventilate up to 1,600 square feet. Read more
Green Grass
Pearl’s Premium Ultra Low Maintenance Lawn Seed grows at a quarter the rate of blue grass and puts down 12-inch-deep roots that tap into naturally occurring moisture, says the maker. Read more
Post Wrap
Versatex has added 4-by-6-inch and 8-by-8-inch sizes to its precut Versawrap PVC column cladding for rough-sawn wood posts (existing sizes are 4 by 4 inches and 6 by 6 inches.) Read more
Quick-Change Locks
With SmartKey Locks you can turn a project over to the homeowners without worrying about who might still have access to the house. Read more
Cabinet Glass Upgrade
The manufacturer best-known in this country for reproductions of historic “wavy” glass also makes replacement inserts for built-in cabinets and furniture. Read more
Recycling Center in a Kitchen Cabinet Drawer
Blum’s two new waste/recycle drawer sets fit 15-, 18-, and 21-inch base cabinets. Read more
Ready-to-Go Blower Door
The Minneapolis Blower Door comes equipped with everything needed to measure airtightness or diagnose air-leakage problems, says the manufacturer. Read more
Retrofit LEDs
Nora Lighting recently added a 4-inch 10-watt model to its Diamond Series of LED retrofit downlights. Read more
Scaffold Builder’s Multi-Tool
The WrightGripScaffold Ratchet is designed to lighten the load for scaffold builders. It features a 7/8-inch socket wrench, a 7/8-inch open-end wrench, and a nonsparking hammer with a replaceable plastic face. Read more
Multipurpose Hammer Drill
The new KHE 76 combination hammer is equally suited to drilling large holes in concrete and heavy chiseling, says Metabo. Read more
Compact Foam Sprayer
Graco claims that the Reactor E-8p Portable Plural-Component Sprayer is the first foam sprayer specifically designed to apply the new no-heat polyurethane formulations. Read more
Do-It-All Saw
According to Irwin, the new Universal Handsaw is the only saw you’ll ever need. Read more
Heavy Equipment Simulators
Until about five years ago, the only way to practice operating an excavator or bulldozer was to climb aboard and start moving dirt, ideally in an area without too many buried power lines and gas mains. Read more
