Skills and Techniques - Page 552 of 644

Because of environmental concerns, cork and linoleum now compete with vinyl as attractive, durable flooring alternatives.

Learning the language of grade stamps can help builders pass framing inspections and avoid callbacks.

Whenever I'm drilling sheet-metal ducting for screws or rivets, the drill bit raises a burr that prevents the heads from sitting flush with the metal. My solution to this problem…

A timber-framed, screened-in porch with an awning roof keeps out insects but comes down easily to let in winter sun.

If cracks and crumbling plaster have you down, here's a remedy that uses basic methods and materials, and that requires no sanding.

No matter how good your drywall-taping skills are, chances are you'll find a missed dimple or two in the final sanding. I used to circle the dimples with a pencil, touch…

Q: Last fall, I roofed my home and installed the type of ridge venting that rolls out along the ridge. In December, with about 6 in. of snow on the…

Q: I live in a two-story house with a basement. Water is supplied to the house from a well and a pump. The water goes from the bladder-type tank in…

An engineer offers a few simple changes to make walls and foundations much sturdier.

When I build an arbor, I like to elevate the posts above grade on concrete piers. The posts last longer that way, and if they ever need replacing, they are…