Ask the Experts

Get the answers you need to get the job done right. Home-building and remodeling pros and industry experts answer your questions about construction details, materials, tools, building codes, and more. Email Fine Homebuilding at [email protected] to have a question considered for publishing in the magazine.

Vapor Barrier Over Mineral Wool
When installing skylights in our living room in Atlanta, Ga., we discovered some rot that led to us having to demo and reframe around our fireplace. I’m happy to say…
To Vent or Not to Vent?
I recently purchased a 1930s-era home that has a low-pitch hip roof over an enclosed porch that has been opened up to the living space. The roof is unvented and,…
How to Patch Holes in Reclaimed Doors
A trim carpenter explains the best way to fill old hinge mortises and lockset holes when installing a used door in a new location.
How to Heat an Addition to a Tri-Level Home
A professional HVAC installer suggests 2 options for adding a heating system to a split-level ranch house with an existing forced-air furnace.
Why is There Water in My HVAC Ducts?
The Energy Nerd supposes that condensation is the problem, and he offers a few possible solutions.
Replace Damaged Board Floor Sheathing
What's the best way to tie in a new plywood subfloor after cutting old tongue-and-groove boards back to the wall?
The Horizontal vs. Vertical Sheathing Debate
Does the direction you install plywood on a wood-framed wall affect how strong it is?
What Causes Frost to Form on Sheathing?
Night-sky radiation cooling is a common and typically harmless occurrence–and the likely culprit.
Finish Fix for a Varnished Door
Expert wood-finisher Peter Gedrys offers advice for maintaining and refreshing aging spar varnish on an exterior wood door.
How to Insulate a Floor over a Crawlspace
Use a combination of batts, continuous rigid foam, and a vapor barrier to safely insulate this tricky space.

Page 14 of 19 Previous

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Membership & Magazine

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Ask the Experts

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Newsletter

Membership & Magazine

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.