A Builder's Guide to Breathable Indoor Air
The formula for cleaner, healthier indoor air is simple: A tight shell, and balanced energy-recovery ventilation. Read more
Animal Hospital Rehab
Workflow and planning were critical in keeping this emergency veterinary care facility running 24/7 during an extensive renovation project. Read more
Buying Hardwood
Going to a specialty wood dealer for hardwood trim stock or solid-wood moldings is completely different than running to the lumberyard. Read more
Q&A
Preventing Drainage Problems on Low-Slope Roofs
Frank Woeste explains how deflection - which is normal - can cause water to pond on roofs that meet design requirements for positive drainage. Read more
Installing a Residential Elevator
A GC describes how his crew prepped for the installation of a residential glass elevator in a new home, and how the elevator crew installed it. Read more
On the Job
Color-Coded Layout
Marking up both the plans and the jobsite with a systematic color scheme keeps all of the trades on track. Read more
Finding the Money to Retire Well
When you are a self-employed contractor, it isn't easy to retire with money in the bank. Here are some strategies that can help. Read more
Reinventing the Multisplit
VRF technology offers efficient cold-climate heating and cooling for a builder’s office. Read more
Troubleshooting a Failed TPO Roof
On a low-slope roof, a single flaw can cause big problems. Here's a case study in what can go wrong, and how to do it right. Read more
Tool Review: A Quicker Cordless Framing Nailer
Instead of a using flywheel, Senco's F-35XP nailer is driven by a piston powered by an 18v brushless motor, so there's no lag time when you pull the trigger. Read more
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Reinventing the Biscuit Joiner
Lamello's Zeta P2 joiner works with unique mechanical "biscuits" to create strong, glue-free joints that can be disassembled. Read more
BACKFILL
A Practical Solar Home for a Cold Climate
A student team from the University of Colorado won the 2020 Solar Decathlon Build Challenge with this conventional-looking - but innovative - design. Read more
Ladder Safety Enhancement
Easy to install, this device is designed to help keep a ladder from slipping or shifting. Read more
Condensing Tankless Water Heater
Navien says an intuitive control panel makes the new NPE-2 series easier to install and troubleshoot. Read more
High Performance Antimicrobial Coating
A single coat resists mold growth on dry coating surfaces such as wood, plaster, concrete, and primed metal. Read more
High-Tech, PM-Monitoring IAQ
The View Plus lets users keep tabs on their indoor air quality. Read more
Touchless Kitchen Faucets
An ADA-compliant faucet with hands-free sensors and auto shutoff. Read more
Mineral-Based Composite Cladding
Similar in weight to PVC, these deck boards are now approved for use as cladding. Read more
Vapor Permeable Flashing Tape
A higher permeance option for certain high-performance assemblies. Read more
Premium Architectural Asphalt Shingles
With increasingly severe weather events, roofing performance is more important than ever. Read more
Whole-House, Two-Stage Filtration System
Between COVID and tighter building envelopes, indoor air quality is top of mind for homeowners. Read more
