September 2021 Table of Contents

Features
A Radical Approach to Protecting Finished Floors A Radical Approach to Protecting Finished Floors

Applying finish to the floor at the start of a job is unconventional, but it saves time when you need it most Read more

Combining Steel Columns and Beams With Wood Framing FRAMING Combining Steel Columns and Beams With Wood Framing

How story poles and templates make it easier to integrate steel with conventional sawn and engineered wood framing. Read more

Training the Trades
Getting the Most Out of A Shop Saw Getting the Most Out of A Shop Saw

Learn about techniques and jigs that make cuts on a table saw safer and more accurate. Read more

Q&A
Should We Install Faced Insulation Batts? Should We Install Faced Insulation Batts?

You can, but it's problematic. Here's why. Read more

On the Job
Casingless Door Trim Casingless Door Trim

A modern alternative to traditional trim, 'casingless' doors and windows require precise framing and drywall installation at all the rough openings, and exacting finish work. Read more

How To Repair Structural Concrete How To Repair Structural Concrete

One of Jake Lewandowski's recent jobs proved to be a textbook case for how to repair concrete. Read more

Preserving a Stone Retaining Wall Preserving a Stone Retaining Wall

The key to keeping this retaining wall from collapsing was to pour a new reinforced concrete retaining wall behind the old one. Read more

Business
Why You Shouldn’t Stiff-Arm Your Building Inspector Why You Shouldn’t Stiff-Arm Your Building Inspector

We all can use some understanding and compassion, even an inspector. Read more

Tools of the Trade
Efficiently Working at Heights TOOLS OF THE TRADE Efficiently Working at Heights

How a baker's scaffold and a multi-purpose ladder can help crews work more productively. Read more

A Better Miter Saw Stand TOOLS OF THE TRADE A Better Miter Saw Stand

Mark Clement checks out ToughBuilt's TB-S550 miter saw stand, which has up to a 10-foot wingspan and wheels for portability. Read more

Tool Test: Powderless Concrete Pinner TOOLS OF THE TRADE Tool Test: Powderless Concrete Pinner

Tim Uhler checks out the Max HN120 PowerLite high pressure concrete pinner, which shoots nails into both concrete and steel pneumatically instead of like a gun. Read more

Backfill
Old-School Newel Old-School Newel

This unusually sturdy run of stairs in an 1855 home was built in a surprisingly simple way. Read more

Products
Indoor-Outdoor Porcelain Tile Indoor-Outdoor Porcelain Tile

Tiles are rated for use on patios and pool decks as well as interior floors. Read more

Magnetic Interior Door Latch Magnetic Interior Door Latch

Magnets eliminate the need for a strike plate lip, for a streamlined look. Read more

Whole-House Ventilation Control System Whole-House Ventilation Control System

Smart air quality sensor takes the guesswork out. Read more

Self-Adhered Primerless Flashing Self-Adhered Primerless Flashing

Apply it in temperatures down to 25 degrees F. Read more

Compression-Resistive Furring Strips Compression-Resistive Furring Strips

Polypropylene battens are UV-rated for use behind open-joint cladding. Read more

Crisp Window and Door Headers Crisp Window and Door Headers

Modern Craftsman Moulding profiles are milled with distinct shadow lines. Read more

Four-Quadrant Stainless Steel Refrigerator Four-Quadrant Stainless Steel Refrigerator

Three separate compartments provide more customized food storage. Read more

Smart Landscape Lighting Control Smart Landscape Lighting Control

Give clients digital control of their outdoor lighting with the Kichler Smart Control Timer and Connects app. Read more

Lightweight PVC Trim Lightweight PVC Trim

T&G PVC bead boards with a wood-grain texture can dress up a porch ceiling without the extra step of staining wood. Read more

Wood-Look Stone Veneer Wood-Look Stone Veneer

For an authentic look, planks even have the appearance of knots and nail holes. Read more

Natural Slate Roofing System Natural Slate Roofing System

Preassembled panels consist of six slates backed by a waterproofing membrane. Read more

Fluid-Applied Air and Water Barrier Fluid-Applied Air and Water Barrier

DensDefy Liquid Barrier adheres to most materials, even wet weather, to create a vapor-permeable weather-resistive membrane. Read more

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