March 2023 Table of Contents

Features
A Modern Approach to Balloon Framing Framing A Modern Approach to Balloon Framing

How a short-handed crew streamlines wall building and keeps projects on schedule Read more

Retrofit Air-sealing Building Performance Retrofit Air-sealing

Phil Armand describes the tools, materials, and methods he uses to air-seal leaky old homes to meet modern energy codes. Read more

Q&A
How to Grout a Natural Stone Pebble Shower Floor Q&A How to Grout a Natural Stone Pebble Shower Floor

Tile pro Tom Meehan recommends giving the floor more pitch and filling the joints with high-performance sanded grout. Read more

On the Job
Making a Small Bath More Accessible On the Job Making a Small Bath More Accessible

How John Carroll replaced a standard 5-foot tub with a smaller tiled shower and built-in bench. Read more

Running a Bath Fan Exhaust Through Metal Roofing On the Job Running a Bath Fan Exhaust Through Metal Roofing

Aaron Miiller has devised a clean way to vent a bath fan through exposed-fastener metal roofing...a method that would work with most any type of roofing. Read more

Business
The Benefits of Running an Employee-Centered Company The Benefits of Running an Employee-Centered Company

In the employee-centered company, turnover can virtually disappear. Along with it, huge costs disappear. Read more

Energy
An Introduction to Zonal Pressure Diagnostics An Introduction to Zonal Pressure Diagnostics

Randy Williams explains more of his air leak sleuthing techniques in the latest installment in his series on using a blower door. Read more

Troubleshooting
Installing Base Cabinets in Out-of-Level Kitchens Installing Base Cabinets in Out-of-Level Kitchens

Doug Horgan looks at a variety of options to "correct" out-of-whack floors during kitchen remodels. Read more

Tools of the Trade
Cut Above the Rest Cut Above the Rest

Jake Lewandowski reviews the SawStop CTS Compact Table Saw Read more

Testing a Modular Cordless Jobsite Vacuum Testing a Modular Cordless Jobsite Vacuum

Ian Schwandt and his team check out Milwaukee's new M18 Fuel wet/dry vacuum, which can be customized to match the way you work. Read more

Backfill
A Clear-Eyed View of Building Tech A Clear-Eyed View of Building Tech

Meet Belinda Carr, a master at exposing the fallacies in the media and marketing hype surrounding building technology. Read more

Decks
Right-Sizing Deck Joists Deck Builder Right-Sizing Deck Joists

Mike Guertin deciphers the ‘Maximum Deck Joist Span’ table in the 2021 IRC. Read more

The Transformative Power of a Front Porch Eye for Design The Transformative Power of a Front Porch

Intended to make the front entry more functional, this porch also gave a Cape-style home a brand new look. Read more

Hardscaping a Backyard Hardscaping a Backyard

Deck builders already have most of the skills needed to pour concrete slabs and build patios and retaining walls. Read more

Orange County Lanai DAY'S END Orange County Lanai

This extensive outdoor living project included a stucco-clad patio cover, large deck, and a new 5-panel patio door. Read more

Products
Heat-Treated Wood Heat-Treated Wood

Thermally modified wood can be used for decking, siding, and more. Read more

Powder-Coated Aluminum Lattice Powder-Coated Aluminum Lattice

Add privacy to outdoor living areas. Read more

Soft-Close Adapters for Cabinet Doors Soft-Close Adapters for Cabinet Doors

Closing speed can be manually adjusted. Read more

Assembled Stair Rail Panels Assembled Stair Rail Panels

Save time and labor using preassembled railing panels for stairs. Read more

Lower-Carbon-Footprint Framing Lower-Carbon-Footprint Framing

Custom-fabricated engineered-bamboo panels form a hollow wall system. Read more

Low-Profile Cable-Rail Pickets Low-Profile Cable-Rail Pickets

Stainless steel rods provide low-profile support between posts for cable rail. Read more

GuardDog Exterior Wood Screws GuardDog Exterior Wood Screws

Approved for use with ACQ and CA-B, as well as cedar and redwood. Read more

Color-Matching Mortar Base Color-Matching Mortar Base

Use this pointing mortar base inside or out, with glazed thin brick, porcelain pavers, and hardscapes. Read more

Narrow-Body Ceiling Cassette Narrow-Body Ceiling Cassette

Airflow adjusts for high or low ceilings. Read more

Drywall Backer Drywall Backer

For neater joints, try using Buttboard Drywall Backers behind your seams. Read more

Jobsite Phone Jobsite Phone

Not only can you use this rugged phone with wet gloves, but you can also swap out its battery when charging's inconvenient. Read more

Liquid-Applied Flashing Sealant Liquid-Applied Flashing Sealant

Approved to seal joints between LP WeatherLogic panels and flash openings and penetrations. Read more

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