Demo-Blade Showdown - Testing Recip-Saw Blades
We pushed 18 recip-saw blades to their limits to determine their ability to cut quickly and resist wear. Read more
Replacing 18th-Century Windows in an Historic Stone House
How threaded rod and epoxy were needed to secure the replacement windows in an old stone building. Read more
Repairing an Old Stone Wall
How good drainage and a network of steel pins and helical tiebacks were used to give this old wall a new lease on life. Read more
An Affordable Passive House - Part 1 - Airtight and Super-Insulated With Familiar Materials
This airtight, superinsulated home was built using familiar methods and materials. Read more
Lead paint rules require context; modular skeptic Read more
Q&A
Mounting an Ornamental Iron Railing
Q: The low-slope roof on the addition I'm building has an ornamental iron railing at the edge. Since the roof won't be used as a deck, it's just there for appearance. Read more
Q&A
Managing Moisture Content of Wood Flooring
You can't prevent swelling and shrinkage problems by just letting the flooring acclimate to a building's moisture content. Read more
Contract Clauses That Keep You in Control
The key to making money is control, and the key to control is the construction contract. Read more
HydroGap Drainable Housewrap
Drainable housewraps offer some of the benefits of a rainscreen installation without its cost or complexity. Read more
Bora-Foam Bugless Insulation Panels
Most rigid insulation is susceptible to termite damage but Bora-Foam isn't. Read more
HitchClip Fall Arrest System
The key to the HitchClip Fall Arrest System is a 4.4-ounce anchoring clip that attaches to the roof framing with just four 16d (or equivalent) fasteners. Read more
Efficient Tankless Hot Water
Rinnai has unveiled a new line of highly efficient tankless products. Read more
RhinoRoof Felt Substitute
Most synthetic roofing underlayments are designed to replace 30-pound felt, but RhinoRoof is intended for applications where the 15-pound variety would be called for. Read more
Distinctive Hardware
Fusion Hardware Group’s decorative locksets, door handles, and deadbolts come in a range of designs and finishes to fit almost any architectural style. Read more
Next Hybrid Gas Water Heater
A. O. Smith claims its new water heater offers the advantages of on-demand and traditional heating appliances without the disadvantages. Read more
Foolproof Shutoff
Prefab washer and dryer boxes take the hassle out of roughing in those appliances. The Pull Stop Box aims to do the same for toilets. Read more
Fireproof Foam Insulation
GacoFireStop is the first open-cell foam approved for use in attics and crawlspaces with no additional ignition barrier. Read more
Keyed Entry Lock With Built-in Alarm
Schlage’s Keyed Entry Lock With Built-in Alarm offers a lower-cost alternative to hard-wired security systems. Read more
Solar Roofing
Apollo is a low-profile photovoltaic array that can be installed along with the shingles by a certified roofing contractor. Read more
Prestige Excellence Combination Boiler
The Prestige Excellence Combination Boiler provides 110,000 Btu per hour for space heating and a 14-gallon indirect water heater that delivers up to 180 gallons per hour of domestic hot water. Read more
Soft Storage Tool Bags
Lenox says its new Soft Storage Tool Bags can stand up to any kind of job-site abuse. Read more
Striker Drywall Talon
The Striker Drywall Talon is designed to lighten the load for drywall hangers. Read more
Drywall Picker-Upper
There's no shortage of devices out there that can be used to lever a sheet of drywall into position using foot pressure, but the most effective one I've found is Marshalltown's Panel Lifter. Read more
EasyClean Automatic Taper
Ames' latest Bazooka taping tool is the EasyClean Automatic Taper, which is lighter and more ergonomic than previous versions. Read more
Backfill
Really Big Stairs
This 3-level spiral staircase was carved with a chain saw from a 45-ft.-long, 5-ft.-diameter log, and has cedar treads weighing 300 lb. each. Read more
