Magazine Extras
If it's on our website and it's mentioned in Fine Homebuilding Magazine, you can find it right here on the online-extras page. Identify the number or date of the magazine issue you just read, and browse the list of links below to find the video, contest, or article you're looking for.
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Fine Homebuilding Issue #258
April/May 2016
Video Series: Ultimate Deck Build 2016: Critical Connections
The safety and durability of a deck are tied directly to the framing and connectors used to build it. The hardware often is installed incorrectly because people don’t understand the engineering behind it. In this video series, Simpson Strong-Tie product engineer David Finkenbinder joins Project House editor Justin Fink for a look at the forces at work on a deck and the connections used to resist them.
Mastered in a Minute Video Series: Concrete Slabs
Knowing how to prep the site, build a form, mix the concrete, and finish the surface are skills that can be useful in a variety of applications. Learn all of these techniques in a three-part Mastered in a Minute video series.
Interview Extra: Extended Tailgate: Charles King Sadler, Landscape Designer
Read Aaron Fagan's full interview with Charles.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #257
February/March 2016
Video Series: Mastered in a Minute
Whether you need to solder copper pipe, finish a small concrete slab, or prep a subfloor for tile, head over to our Mastered in a Minute video blog to sharpen your skills.
Video Series: Finish Like a Pro
Join Project House editor Justin Fink as he visits the shop of finishing expert Peter Gedrys to learn a professional’s approach to prepping, coloring, and topcoating an entry door to achieve the ideal balance of beauty and durability.
Tool-Tech Video: Orbital vs. Random Orbit
See what orbital and random-orbit sanders have in common and how they differ.
Interview Extra: Extended Tailgate: Lance Kirley, President and CEO
Read Aaron Fagan's full interview with Lance.
Energy-Smart Homes
Winter 2016
Project House Video Series: Weatherproof Window Installation
Installing windows is an area ripe for saving energy and increasing durability. The best installations keep out water, provide an escape pat for when it inevitably leaks in, and block unwanted air movement. Watch this three-part video series to learn how to get the job done right.
Video Series: The Passive House Build
Built to meet the world's most rigorous standard for energy-efficient construction, a Passive House uses about one-tenth the energy of a similarly sized code-built house, a feat accomplished by carefykky harmonizing countless design and construction details. Follow along as we take tou through the most critical building components in this member-only video series.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #256
December 2015/January 2016
Video: Behind the Scenes with Fine Homebuilding
Join Project House host Justin Fink for a behind the scenes look at how the articles you see in Fine Homebuilding are developed and photographed on the jobsite.
Slideshow: All About Ice Dams
It’s that dreaded time of year again when our worst insulation and air-sealing fears materialize as ice dams on our roofs. Ice dams are common with inadequately insulated and air-sealed homes in cold climates, and they can be the culprit behind major problems. This slide show provides all the information you need to know about what causes ice dams and how to prevent them.
Free Download: Build a High-Performance Exterior Door
Get a closer look at the insulated door and download the full-scale SketchUp model.
Interview Extra: Extended Tailgate: Charlie Myers, Vo-tech teacher
Read Aaron Fagan's full interview with Charlie.
Online Extra: Great Porches
View more photographs of Highstown now and then.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #255
Kitchens & Baths 2015
Inspiration Gallery: Great Ideas from our Readers
Someone else has solved your kitchen or bath design dilemma. Find out how in this gallery of innovative projects from Fine Homebuilding readers.
Slideshow: 28 Great Ideas for the Kitchen & Bathroom
View a compilation of the most inventive ideas for the kitchen and bathroom. From hidden storage to an array of customized details, we’re sure that you’ll relish these novel ideas.
Slideshow: 7 Smart Kitchen Solutions
Design your kitchen perfectly whether you have a small budget, a small space, or need a small addition. We show you how to get the best lighting, layout, and functionality with these solutions to spruce up your kitchen space.
Interview Extra: Extended Tailgate:Jared Becker
Read more of Aaron Fagan's interview with the tile designer.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #254
October/November 2015
Project House Video Series: Weatherproof Window Installation
Layers of redundant flashing and sealant ensure that the most expensive part of your house is also the best protected.
Video: Using a Track Saw
These versatile saws deliver splinter-free cuts on difficult materials and allow you to break down sheet goods without breaking your back.
Interview Extra: Extended Tailgate: Katherine Boorman, Designer
Read more of Aaron Fagan's interview with the operations director of the firm OneButton.
Online Extra: Finishing Touch
Learn more about the 3D concrete printer.
Small Homes (SIP #48)
Fall 2015
Slide Show: Inspiring Ideas for Small Houses
These days, bigger isn’t always better. A trend toward homes that have far less
square footage than the average is making its mark on the housing industry. View
our slide show for inspiring small homes and great ideas for living small.
Slide Show: Small-Bathroom Ideas
Maximize the small footprint of your bathroom with our best small-bathroom ideas. This slide show is full of inspirational photos to help your small bath realize its fullest potential.
Videos and Photo Galleries: HOUSES Awards
Get an in-depth look at the award-winning houses and the people who designed them:
• 2015 Best Small Home
• 2015 Editor's Choice
• 2014 Best Remodel
Slideshow: A Carpenter's House - Extended Gallery
This smart Craftsman-style home was built with a keen eye for detail and energy efficiency.
Audio Slide Show: Making the Most of a Small Space
These design principles illustrate how to capitalize on a small space and tight budget
Fine Homebuilding Issue #253
August/September 2015
Project House Video: How to Install a Toilet
Equipped with a good understanding of its parts and how it connects to the supply and waste lines of a house, most homeowners and builders will find that replacing this essential fixture is well with their reach.
Slide Show: The Best Advice on Installing Crown Molding
Learn how to easily install crown molding with our best tips and tricks.
Interview Extra: Extended Tailgate: Colby M. Broadwater III, College President
Read more of Aaron Fagan's interview with the president of the American College of the Building Arts.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #252
June/July 2015
Video Series: Mastered in a Minute
Introducing our brand-new video series, Mastered in a Minute. These quick-hit how-to videos are crafted for an audience that wants the right information without all the fluff. Give us a minute, and we’ll help you master a skill.
Slide Show: Small-Bathroom Ideas
Maximize the small footprint of your bathroom with our best small-bathroom ideas. This slide show is full of inspirational photos to help your small bath realize its fullest potential.
Slide Show: How to Build Your Own Bathroom Vanity
33 additional photos to help you with the build.
Interview Extra: Extended Tailgate: Steve Thomas, Navigator
Read more of Aaron Fagan's interview with the former This Old House host.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #251
Houses 2015
Videos and Photo Galleries: 2015 HOUSES Awards
Get an in-depth look at the award-winning houses and the people who designed them:
• Best New Home
• Best Remodel
• Best Small Home
• Best Traditional Home
• Best Energy-Smart Home
• Editor's Choice
Slide Show: Readers' Choice
See the top 10 houses our readers picked as their favorites for the Houses 2015 issue.
Slide Show: Inspiring Ideas for Small Houses
These days, bigger isn’t always better. A trend toward homes that have far less
square footage than the average is making its mark on the housing industry. View
our slide show for inspiring small homes and great ideas for living small.
Extended Tailgate Interview: Paul Scialla
Founded by this former Goldman
Sachs partner, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has developed a standard for
healthy buildings that could do for occupant health what LEED has done for sustainability. See bonus content not included in the print version of Houses 2015.
2016 HOUSES Awards: Call for Entries
We’re always on the lookout for homes that showcase craftsmanship, energy efficiency, and smart design. Submit a project for next year’s HOUSES issue and a chance to win one of our HOUSES awards
Decks & Outdoor Projects 2015 (SIP #47)
Spring 2015
Video Series: Ultimate Deck Build 2015
Step-by-step instructions on how to build a better deck
The Deck Planning Center
Deck photo gallery, deck calculator, and more information to help you plan your deck build
Fine Homebuilding Issue #250
April/May 2015
Project House Video: Replacing a Basement Window
Say goodbye to your old, corroded, cast-in-place basement window and hello to a new, more efficient unit
Master Carpenter Video: How to Install Exterior PVC Trim
Learn a coastal builder's technique for durable and weathertight fascias and soffits is based on years of experience with plastic trim
Slideshow: A Carpenter's House - Extended Gallery
See more of Pete Mollica's house.
Interview Extra: Extended Tailgate: Molly Jones McCabe, Tribal-Housing Advocate
Read more of Aaron Fagan's interview with Molly Jones McCabe.
Slideshow: Tips and Techniques for Painting, Staining, and Finishing
Adding paint is one of the most economical ways to restore any space to its full glory.
Projects Step-by-Step
Winter 2015
Project House Video Series: Foyer Tile Installation
Veteran tilesetter Tom Meehan mixes modern materials and time-tested techniques to install a durable floor in a high-traffic room
Project House Video Series: Wood Floor Repair
Justin Fink travels to Orlando, Florida, to see how a restoration expert patches an old wood floor
Master Craftsman Video Series: Wood Floors on a Concrete Slab
When gluing prefinished engineered
flooring to concrete, detailing the prep
and ensuring a careful layout are key. Not a member? View the free series introduction or sign up for our 14-day free trial.
Master Carpenter Video Series: The Craft of Coffered Ceilings
Carpenter Gary Katz creates a simple and elegant layout, efficiently uses his shop for preassembling components, and organizes the installation for the best possible workflow for this custom-ceiling project
Project House Video Series: A Simple Approach to Paneled Wainscot
Long time finish carpenter Gary Striegler teaches his simplified technique for building and installing paneled wainscot.
Project House Video Series: Built-in Bookcases in an Antique Home
Justin Fink visits Palermo, Maine, to see a veteran designer and woodworker build classic bookcases on site
Master Carpenter Video Series: Installing Semicustom Cabinets
How to level, scribe, and fasten cabinets without marring the perfect factory finish
Master Carpenter Video Series: Painting Trim the Right Way
Online members can watch painting pro Tim Leahy demonstrate techniques for a flawless finish on trimwork. Not a member? View the free series introduction or sign up for our 14-day free trial.
Video Series: How to Hang Airtight Drywall
Longtime Fine Homebuilding contributor Myron R. Ferguson, shows how drywall can make your house more energy-efficient when installed with caulks, sealants, canned foam, and gaskets.
Photos: Porch from the Past
Have a look at more detailed photos of this remarkable porch restoration
Fine Homebuilding Issue #249
February/March 2015
Master Craftsman Video Series: How to Wire a Bathroom
Cliff Popejoy, a licensed electrical contractor for over eleven years, shows us the basics of wiring a bathroom. Not a member? View the free series introduction or sign up for our 14-day free trial.
Video Series: How to Air-Seal an Attic
Stop the air leaks and save big on your heating and cooling bills. Not a member? View the free series introduction or sign up for our 14-day free trial.
Video Series: Ultimate Deck Build 2015
Step-by-step instructions on how to build a better deck
Tailgate Web Extra: CEO Charts His Company's Path to Net-Zero Homes
Read more of our interview with Gene Myers of New Town Builders, a Denver-based company.
Energy-Smart Homes
Winter 2015
Tailgate Complete Interview: Katrin Klingenberg, Passive House Pioneer
Read our entire interview with Passive House pioneer Katrin Klingenberg.
Article Plans: Build a High-Performance Door
Appearing in the 2014 version Fine Homebuilding's annual Energy-Smart Homes publication, Ben Graham and Mike Lamp's custom-built hardwood door is the pinnacle of efficiency and good looks.
Companion Videos: How to Build a Passive House
Online members can watch the companion videos in our Passive House series
Fine Homebuilding Issue #248
December 2014/January 2015
Master Craftsman Video Series: Building a Modern Mantel
Not a member? View the free series introduction or sign up for our 14-day free trial.
Photo Gallery: Fireplaces and Mantels
Find inspiration for your own custom mantelpiece,
or
post your own photos in the gallery to show off your designs.
Article: Great Tips for Building a Mantel
Get more tips on how to build a mantel.
Article: A Wood Floor That Can Survive Anywhere
In a basement or on a slab, create a stable platform to support quality engineered-wood flooring.
Project Gallery: View or post your own projects here.
Final Touches Photo Gallery: The Construction of a Water Wheel
See more photos of the Baytos's waterwheel.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #247
Kitchens & Baths 2014
Inspiration Gallery: Great Ideas from our Readers
Someone else has solved your kitchen or bath design dilemma. Find out how in this gallery of innovative projects from Fine Homebuilding readers.
Slideshow: Preparing for Tile
Tile jobs go smoothly when you take time to prepare your work area first. Here’s a visual checklist to help you get ready to start your installation.
Slideshow: Designing with Floating Shelves
Here’s how architects and designers have put the concept of floating shelves to use in the kitchen.
Slideshow: Mixing Thinset
These tips will help you mix thinset without making a mess.
Slideshow: Installing a Mosaic Tile Accent
Mosaic accents are a popular design element in kitchens, especially over the stove. Here’s how to pull it off perfectly.
Article: Keys to a Great Layout
No two tile backsplashes will lay out in the same way. Tile pro Tim Keefe explains the priority system he uses to make sure his tiles lay out perfectly every time.
How-to Videos: Kitchen and Bath Collection
Online members can watch Fine Homebuilding pros demonstrate how to cast a custom countertop, tile a bathroom, build and install cabinets and more in this video compilation. Not a member? View the series’ free introductions or sign up for our 14-day free trial.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #246
October / November 2014
Master Craftsman Video Series: Wood Floors on a Concrete Slab
When gluing prefinished engineered
flooring to concrete, detailing the prep
and ensuring a careful layout are key. Not a member? View the free series introduction or sign up for our 14-day free trial.
Slideshow: A gallery of great garages
Browse through this collection of photos from our readers’ gallery and from
past issues of Fine Homebuilding to see beautiful garages that have been remodeled, repurposed, and reinvented.
Slideshow and Video Extra: All Aboard the Backyard Express!
See more of Walter and Norma Ward’s whimsical Pasadena backyard in this slideshow and video.
Project House Video Series: A Simple Approach to Paneled Wainscot
Long time finish carpenter Gary Striegler teaches his simplified technique for building and installing paneled wainscot.
Tailgate Complete Interview: Katrin Klingenberg, Passive House Pioneer
Read our entire interview with Passive House pioneer Katrin Klingenberg.
Small Homes, Cabins & Cottages
Fall 2014
Online Gallery: Small-homes submissions
There was only one winner of the best-small-home award in this
year’s Houses issue, but there were over 40 small homes submitted
to our call for entries. Take a look at the wide variety of featured
houses, from modest to tiny, rustic to contemporary.
Slide Show: 7 small bathroom layouts
Bathroom space is usually tight
in a small home; it takes extra
planning to make sure this essential
room retains its functionality.
This collection of articles from
the Fine Homebuilding archives
is full of examples of creative
storage solutions and tricks to
make a compact bathroom feel
spacious and luxurious.
From the Archives: Building Smaller, for Now
Read Robert Knight's 2001 article from Fine Homebuilding #141 about the beginnings of the Greek-revival farmhouse we revisited in our 2014 issue of Small Homes, Cabins & Cottages.
Design Video: Passive House Perfection
Take a look back at the 2013 winner for Best New Home.
Design Video: A Low-Impact Garden Cottage
Take a look back at the 2013 winner for Best Small Home.
Design Video: Carriage-House Comeback
Take a look back at the 2012 winner for Best Small Home.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #245
August / September 2014
Slide Show: 12 Stunning Remodels
Our 2014 winner for best remodel is a 1930s bungalow that underwent a total
transformation to become the spacious, contemporary home it is today. It’s
one of many impressive renovations that are featured in our 2014 HOUSES.
Building Science: Energy-smart details
Browse Fine Homebuilding’s growing collection of energy-smart construction
details, which covers everything from basement air-sealing to attic insulation
Video: Master Carpenter: Painting Trim the Right Way
Online members can watch painting pro Tim Leahy demonstrate techniques for a flawless finish on trimwork. Not a member? View the free series introduction or sign up for our 14-day free trial.
Video: The Passive House Build, Part 5: Window Installation
Online members can watch how Passive House windows are installed, as well as access additional episodes that document the building of this ultra-tight house. Not a member? View the free series introduction or sign up for our 14-day free trial.
Project House Video Series: Foyer Tile Installation
Veteran tilesetter Tom Meehan mixes modern materials and time-tested techniques to install a durable floor in a high-traffic room
Finish Carpentry Collection:
Once you’ve chosen the best brad nailer, bring your skills up to speed with these how-to articles on finish carpentry:
• Ten Rules for Finish Carpentry
• Installing Baseboard
• Setting Up an Efficient Job-Site Shop
• Basic Scribing Techniques
Green Building Advisor: Calculating Exterior Foam
“Energy Nerd” Martin Holladay explains how to make sure your foam is thick enough to keep the wall sheathing above the dew point in winter
Tailgate Interview Bonus: Nicole Starnes Taylor, Architect
Find out more about the design work of architect Nicole Starnes Taylor.
Kitchen Planning Guide 2014
Summer 2014
Master Carpenter Video: Installing Semicustom Cabinets
How to level, scribe, and fasten cabinets without marring the perfect factory finish
Tailgate-Interview Bonus: Flush for Good
American Standard’s Flush for Good program saves lives through sanitation by donating sanitary toilet pans to people in developing countries. Visit the Flush for Good Facebook page and download the Save Water, Save Lives e-book to find out more.
Slide Show: Kitchen Design Gallery
Inspiring Kitchens from our Readers' Gallery
Slide Show: Bathroom Design Ideas
Get your own bathroom project jump-started
with inspiration from articles, galleries, and more
in Fine Homebuilding magazine’s online archives
Online Tool: Countertop and Cabinet Calculator
Get a ballpark figure to help you narrow down your kitchen-design options
Fine Homebuilding Issue #244
June / July 2014
Master Carpenter Video Series: The Craft of Coffered Ceilings
Carpenter Gary Katz creates a simple and elegant layout, efficiently uses his shop for preassembling components, and organizes the installation for the best possible workflow for this custom-ceiling project
Video: The Passive House Build, Part 4: Framing for Efficiency
Double-stud walls and trusses create the ideal shell for an economical and efficient building
Video: Project House Video Series: Built-in Bookcases in an Antique Home
Justin Fink visits Palermo, Maine, to see a veteran designer and woodworker build classic bookcases on site
Gallery: Florida plumber puts trade skills to work in Haiti
Florida plumber Fred Schilling went to Haiti with the organization Plumbers Without Borders to assist in the installation of water-purification systems following the catastrophic earthquake in January 2010
Gallery: A Look Inside a Beautiful Boat House
This oceanfront house designed by architects Anna and Chuck Dietsche captures the travels of their clients
Fine Homebuilding Issue #243
Houses 2014
Videos and Photo Galleries: 2014 HOUSES Awards
Get an in-depth look at the award-winning houses and the people who designed them:
• Best New Home
• Best Remodel
• Best Small Home
• Best Traditional Home
• Best Energy-Smart Home
• Editor's Choice
2015 HOUSES Awards: Call for Entries
We’re always on the lookout for homes that showcase craftsmanship, energy efficiency, and smart design. Submit a project for next year’s HOUSES issue and a chance to win one of our HOUSES awards
Gallery: The Incredible Stonework and Art of Lew French
For over 30 years, Martha's Vineyard resident Lew French has been creating one-of-a-kind works in stone and other materials
Fine Homebuilding Issue #242
April / May 2014
Master Carpenter Video Series: Fast and Accurate Wall Framing
In this members-only video series, carpenter Mike Norton demonstrates his no-nonsense approach to building the bones of a house
Video: The Passive House Build, Part 3: Superinsulated Slab
In this video, see the crew install a 10-inch-thick insulated slab assembly, which provides an R value of 50 in the floor system
Video: Project House: Wood Floor Repair
Justin Fink travels to Orlando, Florida, to see how a restoration expert patches an old wood floor
Fine Homebuilding Issue #241
February/March 2014
Videos: The Fine Homebuilding guide to painting
Browse our online collection of painting videos, articles, and material reviews, and get the tips and techniques you need for your next finishing project
Passive House: A higher standard for energy efficiency
If you’re looking for the world’s most rigorous standard for building energy-efficient houses, this is it
Master Carpenter Video: Installing Semicustom Cabinets
How to level, scribe, and fasten cabinets without marring the perfect factory finish
Video: Blower-Door Testing
Learn how to set up a blower door and run an airtightness test
Video: The Passive House Build, Part 2: Air-sealed Mudsill Assembly
You only have one chance to get this critical detail perfect
Fine Homebuilding Issue #240
December 2013 / January 2014
Master Carpenter Video Series: Create a Curved Stair Riser
In this Master Carpenter series, learn how to create a curved stair riser
More Information: Pure Energy
Learn more about Pure Energy, the small business owned by A. Tamasin Sterner, Energy Adviser
Video: The Passive House Build, Part 1
This design video is the first in a series of articles and companion videos focused on the theory, design, of a particular Passive House project, located in Falmouth, Mass.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #239
Kitchens & Baths 2013
Slide Show: Kitchen Design Gallery
Inspiring Kitchens from our Readers' Gallery
Slide Show: Bathroom Design Ideas
Get your own bathroom project jump-started
with inspiration from articles, galleries, and more
in Fine Homebuilding magazine’s online archives
Photo Gallery: Accessible Kitchen Design
See more photos of the Pileggis’ kitchen
Tailgate-Interview Bonus: Flush for Good
American Standard’s Flush for Good program saves lives through sanitation by donating sanitary toilet pans to people in developing countries. Visit the Flush for Good Facebook page and download the Save Water, Save Lives e-book to find out more.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #238
September 2013
The Deck Planning Center
Safety, design inspiration, how-to videos, and all your deck-building needs
Master Carpenter Video Series: How to Carve a Stair-Rail Easement
In this Master Carpenter series, watch veteran stairbuilder Richard Walston and his son, Ed, create a curved stair-rail easement by hand
Master Carpenter Series: Securing a Home Against Wind
This compilation of articles and videos built to help victims of Hurricane Sandy is full of resources to help rebuild after a natural disaster or build a house to better weather the storm
Greenbuilding.com Construction Details
Browse sample details in this construction-detail library, or become a GBAPro member to get access to over 1,000 drawings
Interview: Mike Sloggatt, Volunteer
Hurricane Sandy: Are homeowners getting the help they need?
Photos: Porch from the Past
Have a look at more detailed photos of this remarkable porch restoration
Photos: Magnolia Pavilion
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the design and construction of this impressive timber-frame pool house
Fine Homebuilding Issue #237
September 2013
Slideshow: Basement Remodeling Tips
Read this collection of articles to find tips on waterproofing, insulating, and creating functional, attractive basement spaces
Video: Reproducing Traditional Moldings
In this Master Carpenter series, Bill Rainford shows how to get period details right with both power and hand tools
How it Works: Electric Motors
Learn what the differences are between brushed and brushless electric motors
Break Out of the Indoors Contest
For all the details on our Break Out of the Indoors contest, to enter your project, or to view a gallery of previous years’ entries for inspiration, visit our online gallery
Online Archive: Drawing Board
Browse through “Drawing Board” articles from past issues of Fine Homebuilding to find inspiring ideas and smart solutions for your next construction project
Interview: Susan Marvin, Window Manufacturer
Keeping a labor force intact was one strategy a family business used to survive the recession by thinking about the future. Read the extended interview
Fine Homebuilding Issue #236
July 2013
Extra: How to Seal 4 Hidden Air Leaks in Your House
Read about the most common large leaks, and learn how to seal them tight
Slideshow: More Energy Solutions
Browse our entire collection of Energy-Smart Details to find more ways to boost the energy efficiency of your house
Video Series: Build a New Deck
Watch veteran builder Mike Guertin as he builds a new deck on the Fine Homebuilding Project House
Video Series: How to Build a Garden Shed
Watch and learn how to execute every detail of this custom shed
• Purchase illustrated plans which include the detailed gang-cutting sequence of the half-lap joinery used to construct the garden shed
• Rafter Jig: Print and use this jig to cut the rafter tails
• 3-D Model: Download the free SketchUp digital model (Free SketchUp software is required for viewing)
Master Carpenter Video Series: How to Build a Floating Vanity
A modern cherry cabinet supports a heavy counter while levitating above the bath floor
Video Series: How to Build a Bay-Window Roof
Builder Rick Arnold demonstrates his simplified method for laying out and framing a bay roof
Project Gallery: Show Us Your Fireplace
There’s nothing like a fireplace to bring character and individuality to a room. Whether wood or stone, traditional or contemporary, new construction or renovation, Fine Homebuilding wants to see your fireplace
Fine Homebuilding Issue #235
Houses 2013
Commentary: Why Can’t Architects and Builders Get Along?
Builders think architects are snooty and impractical. Architects think builders are stubborn and unimaginative. Who’s right?
Videos and Photo Galleries: 2013 HOUSES Awards
Get an in-depth look at the award-winning houses and the people who designed them:
• Best New Home
• Best Remodel
• Best Energy-Smart Home
• Best Retirement Home
• Best Small Home
• Editor's Choice
2014 HOUSES Awards: Call for Entries
We’re always on the lookout for homes that showcase craftsmanship, energy efficiency, and smart design. Submit a project for next year’s HOUSES issue and a chance to win one of our HOUSES awards
Slideshow: 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards
Our readers got to pick their favorite houses from these ten finalists
Tailgate-Interview Bonus: Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation
This organization works to broaden understanding about the many different roles women have in shaping the places and spaces in which we live and work
Fine Homebuilding Issue #234
May 2013
From Our Blogs: Arguments in Favor of Exterior Air Barriers
Energy-efficiency experts share their insights about airtight wall and roof sheathing
Video Series: How to Build a Bay-Window Roof
Builder Rick Arnold demonstrates his simplified method for laying out and framing a bay roof
Video Series: How to Build a Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Countertop
Follow oncrete craftman Buddy Rhodes as he builds a custom vanity top with an integral sink
Video: How to Sharpen a Block Plane
Associate editor Patrick McCombe shares tips for using diamond stones and water stones to put a perfect edge on your hand-plane iron
Disaster-Mitigation Resources: Project Impact
Project Impact is an initiative originally sponsored by FEMA to assist local communities in becoming more disaster resistant
Fine Homebuilding Issue #233
March 2013
From GreenBuildingAdvisor.com: Raising the Bar on Energy Efficiency
FineHomebuilding.com’s sister site GreenBuildingAdvisor.com has a collection of the most comprehensive design and how-to resources for building or renovating a house to Passive House standards
Video: Measure Accurate Angles with Scraps of Paper
In this recent episode of There’s a Better Way, Chuck Miller shows how to make perfect miter cuts without a protractor or an angle gauge
Video Series: Retrofitting French Doors
Watch the entire process of adding a new patio door to an existing house, from preparing and air-sealing the rough opening to installing the handles and screen doors
Video Series: Old-School Path a Wide-Open Bath
Master tile setter Tom Meehan combines a time-tested mortar base with a modern waterproofing membrane and linear drain to create an easy-access shower
Video: Bending Copper Chimney Flashing
Roofing project manager Dyami Plotke demonstrates how to fabricate complex pieces of flashing and describes the various pieces needed to make a chimney-to-roof connection watertight
Fine Homebuilding Issue #232
December 2012/January 2013
Video Series: How to Build a Bay-Window Roof
With light coming from three directions, a bay window can really transform a space.
Video Series: How to Build a Garden Shed
Backyard sheds are a popular do-it-yourself project. They’re relatively quick to build and have a little taste of everything from framing to finish.
Master Carpenter Video Series: Reproducing a Corbel
Furniture maker Michael Fitzpatrick shows how he builds exact copies of architectural details for the restoration of his 19th-century house
Building Skills Video Series: How To Install an Exterior Doorknob in a New Door
Associate editor Patrick McCombe demonstrates how to drill the proper holes for that new lockset or door handle
Tailgate Podcast: The Green Architects Chat With John Straube
The renowned Canadian professor shares his views of building science and green building
Fine Homebuilding Issue #231
Kitchens & Baths 2012
Call for Entries: Kitchens & Baths 2013
Find out how to submit your project for consideration
Video Series: How to Make a Built-in Mudroom Cabinet
Video Series: How to Tile a Shower
Video Series: How to Build Custom Cabinet Doors
Video Series: How to Tile a Backsplash
Video Series: How to Tile a Barrier-Free Bathroom
Article: Mix and Match: Mail-Order Cabinets
How to get well-made, affordable cabinets from companies that specialize in boxes, doors, and drawers
Fine Homebuilding Issue #230
October/November 2012
Video Series: Master Carpenter: Trick Trim Transitions
In this Master Carpenter video series, finish carpenter Tucker Windover shows how to make each interior detail look like it belongs. He’ll share tricks for getting clean lines every time on everything from stairs to soffits.
Video Series: Replacing a Window in a Brick Wall
In this Project House video series, remodeling contractor Mike Sloggatt shows how to install a new flanged window in an existing brick wall.
Article: Mudsills: Where the Framing Meets the Foundation
Even if the foundation is not square or level, getting the mudsills right will get you back on track
Fine Homebuilding Issue #229
August/September 2012
Guide to Painting: Put a perfect finish on your next project
This collection of videos, articles, and tips shows you the techniques professional painters use to get the job done right. Plus, find reviews to help you choose the right paints, primers, and finishing tools.
Video: Master Carpenter: Trick Trim Transitions
Custom builder Sean Flynn demonstrates the steps he took to make this beautiful heart-pine and slate woven entry.
Article: Frame a Strong, Stable Floor With I-Joists
In this article from our archives, builder John Spier explains why I-joists can save time and money, and demonstrates how to install I-joists correctly.
Article: The Well-Framed Floor
Whether it's the floor of a big house or a small addition, an accurate layout promotes smooth installation
Article: LVLs: A Strong Backbone for Floor Framing
Laminated-veneer lumber lets you assemble big beams without a big crew
Article: Mudsills: Where the Framing Meets the Foundation
Even if the foundation is not square or level, getting the mudsills right will get you back on track
Fine Homebuilding Issue #228
June/July 2012
Video: Mater Carpenter Video (Free Preview)
Get an inside look at one of the oldest forms of home building still in use.
Video: How to Choose a Box-Beam Level
Learn how to choose the right box-beam level for the job.
Video: Fine Homebuidling's Project House
Take a look at the progress our editors and authors have made in converting a two-car garage into a workshop and video studio.
Video Series: How to Wire the Workshop Fine Homebulding's Project House
Electrician Brian Walo demonstrates how to organize, run wires, and connect single-pole and three-way light switches in the Project House workshop.
Video Series: How to Build a Shed
Build a classic shed with digital plans, video instruction, and trade secrets and on-the-job time savers from the pros.
Video Series: How to Replace a Roof
Watch and follow along as the garage workshop at FHB's Project House gets a new roof.
The Inspector Game: Decking Do's and Don'ts
Identify five changes that could be made to prevent a claim against the contractor's insurance policy.
Freestanding Decks Solve Ledger Attachment Challenges
Builder and contributing editor Mike Guertin offers ledger alternatives for when you just can't support the edge of a deck with the outside wall of your house.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #226
April/May 2012
Video: How to Choose and Mix Ready Mix Joint Compound
In this Building Skills video, associate editor Patrick McCombe shows how thinning and mixing so-called ready-mix joint compound before use gives better results when taping drywall.
Video Series: Master Carpenter: How To Fit Inset Cabinet Doors (FREE PREVIEW)
In the premiere episode of our new Master Carpenter video series, woodworker and writer Scott Gibson guides you through the process of fitting an inset door into a custom-built cabinet.
Video: Tool Review: Lenox Speed Slot Hole Saw
In latest Tool Hound episode, senior editor Justin Fink examines the ease of clean the new line of Lenox Speed Slot hole saws offers.
Green Building Advisor's Energy Star collection
The Inspector Game: Goofs on a Roof
Identify five items that will help keep the crew on the roof safe and out of the emergency room.
Redesign
Spring 2012
Free Download: A Better House, Not a Bigger One
Invest in high-end materials and workmanship rather than simply in square footage
Video: How to Remodel an Elegant Kitchen On a Budget
In this video, hear how patience, hard work, and good fortune helped on couple turn their sad Victorian row house into a beautiful home.
Blog: SquareOne Blog
Get more insight and ideas on creating the perfect home at SquareOne, FineHomebuilding.com's design blog.
Bonus Article: The Rotproof Porch
Get more insight and ideas on creating the perfect home at SquareOne, FineHomebuilding.com's design blog.
Buy Duo Dickinson's new book, Staying Put
Fine Homebuilding Issue #225
February/March 2012
Video: Kobalt enters the corldess-tool market
Senior editor Justin Fink has a lot of good things to say about the new Kobalt 18v drill-driver in this episode of Tool Hound.
Tool Reviews: Help us pick the best compressor
The FineHomebuilding.com Tool Guide has been loaded with a list of portable compressors we’ll be testing for an upcoming article. You may be one of three lucky reviewers to win a copy of the complete Fine Homebuilding magazine archive on one easy-to-search
DVD.
Video: There's a better way: Drywall patch tip
To see a video version of this reader tip from FHB #225, visit the There's a Better Way blog with Chuck Miller.
Video Series: Replacing a roof at Fine Homebulding's Project House
A pro roofing contractor demonstrates how to keep a job site clean, remove worn-out roofing, and replace damaged board sheathing before installing a new roof.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #224
December 2011/January 2012
Photo Contest: Basement Makeover (contest is now closed)
Show off your family room, workshop, man cave, or whatever you’ve converted your basement into to win $100 worth of books or videos from the Taunton Store. Contest ends December 2.
Video: How To Use a Japanese-Style Pull Saw
In this Building Skills video, timber-framer Will Beemer demonstrates how to use a Japanese-style pull saw.
Video: Ultimate Drywall Finish
Watch a free episode of Myron R. Ferguson's drywall video series to learn about the tools and techniques you need to cover every imperfection and to make drywall surfaces super smooth.
Video: Throw Away Your hammer Stapler and Get a Pneumatic Cap Fastener
In the latest installment of ToolHound, FHB Senior Editor Justin Fink demonstrates how cap-fasteners work and what their advantages are.
Video Series: Retrofitting a Flanged Window at the FHB Project House
Watch as Bill Robinson adds a new flanged window to the garage of FHB's Project House.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #223
Kitchens & Baths 2011
Call for Entries: Kitchens & Baths 2012
Find out how to submit your project for consideration
Video : Full-Scale Model
Fine Homebuildingdesign video, homeowner Craig Zehnder describes many of the hard-working details in this small-kitchen remodel, including the cardboard mock-ups he used to visualize how new cabinets would fit into the room.
Video: Behind the Scenes: Beautiful on a Budget
In this video, hear how patience, hard work, and good fortune helped this couple turn their basket-case Victorian row house into a beautiful home. See some of the highlights of their elegant kitchen makeover in the article An Elegant Kitchen on a Budget from FHB #223.
Video Series : How to Tile a Backsplash
Expert tilesetter Tom Meehan demonstrates pro-level techniques in this six-part series.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #222
October/November 2011
Video Series:
The FUBAR Chronicles
Finish carpenter Chris Whalen kicks off our new member video series, The FUBAR Chronicles, with the tricky reconstruction of a botched oak stair rail
Video Series:
How to air-seal an attic
Stop the air leaks and save big on your heating and cooling bills
Video Series: How to repair damaged siding
Learn how to fix or replace broken shingles, clapboards, fiber cement, and vinyl
Video Series: How to tile a shower
Learn how to install a custom tile shower from a professional tilesetter
Blog: Planning projects in 3D
Learn how to take a photo of the room you’re working on and turn it into a plan for your next project in our SketchUp blog, Digital Job Site
Online Extra: Download an inset-shear-wall construction detail
Follow the link above to download free plans for a shear wall you can use in your next project
Fine Homebuilding Issue #221
August/Septmeber 2011
Photo Contest: Show us your shed
Post photos of your best backyard storage structers for a chance to win $100 worth in books or DVDs from the Fine Homebuilding store
Video: Design Tips for Upper-Level Oriels
Join architect Katie Hutchison for a companion video tour to her Drawing Board column about upper-level oriels
Video: Lstiburek’s Rules for Venting Roofs
Dr. Joseph Lstiburek talks about the not-so-controversial ways to maximize the efficiency and airflow of your roof and attic
Video: There's a Better Way: Secure a door in a workbench
Watch as Scott Gibson shares a tip for holding doors if you don't have a fancy support fixture on your bench
Members-only video:
How to form, pour and finish concrete walkways
Watch this six-part series from Rick Arnold to learn how to make a curved concrete walkway
Blog: Kuhl-est kid's room ever!
See the unique and creative way Steve Kuhl designed a one-of-a-kind pirate-themed bedroom for his nephew
Blog: Patrick's Barn: Framing Continues
Follow the progress of Fine Homebuilding editor Patrick McCombe's latest backyard project: a new pole-barn workshop.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #220
June/July 2011
Blog: Building Skills
Learn from legendary framer Larry Huan and his new sidekick, Scott Grice, how to snap lines a floor deck and much more
Photo Contest: Happy Father's Day
Post your best photos of you working with your kids or your dad for a chance to win a great collection of new Stanley Bostitch tools
Members-only video: Cabinet-door construction shoot-out
Watch as Joe Lanza and Scott Gibson build cabinet doors while heckling each other
Members-only video:
How to repair siding
Watch and learn from Mike Guertin how to repari four different siding types
Blog: A garage fit for a queen
See the unique and creative way a pair of San Fransico homeowners added a garage to their 1900s Queen Anne Victorian home
Fine Homebuilding Issue #219
Houses 2011
Design Contest: Interior-trim details
Post some photos of an attractive or clever interior-trim project you've designed or installed for a chance to win three Taunton books on wood flooring, deck building, and tiling
Video: There's a Better Way
Watch Myron R. Ferguson's better way of getting mud on drywall: with a thick-nap paint roller
Members-only video: Pro Video Series: How to install a hardwood floor
Charles Peterson shows how to install a hardwood floor the right way in this 10-episode For Pros, By Pros video series
Fine Homebuilding Issue #218
April/May 2011
Ultimate Miter-Saw Stand: SketchUp Model
If you're considering building a stand for yourself, or you just want to dissect our design, download the 3-D model here
Blog: Breaktime Spotlight
A Breaktime contributor finds out how to reinforce 2x6 ceiling joists to handle heavy loads.
Gallery: Best Window and Door Tips
Help us choose the most, useful, interesting, and innovative reader-submitted window and door tips
More Smart Phone Apps Reviews
• Microsoft Bing Maps
• Flashlight
• Maps
Ice Damage: Wet Walls and Wasted Energy
Learn how ice dams form and how to prevent them
Hidden Deck Fasteners and Fastening Systems
Read about these topics and more in our Build a Deck blog
National Association of Home Builders
Video: Replacing a Kitchen Sink
In this three-part series, plumber Bruce Norman demonstrates how to remove and replace a kitchen sink
Members-only video: Hassle-Free Drywall Installation
In this six-part members-only video series, you'll learn how to get the smoothest walls in your house
by working smarter, not harder
Fine Homebuilding Issue #217
February/March 2011
Blog: Breaktime Spotlight
A Breaktime contributor needs help on the best way to attach a deck ledger to a house. Do deck ledgers need drainage, or should they be installed tight and flashed right?
Gallery: Job-Site Dogs
Bark by popular demand. Post pictures of your carpentry canines, and we'll feature a new dog on the home page every week
Video: There's a Better Way: A Sliding Toolbox for Your Pickup-Truck Bed
Watch Chuck Miller demonstrate a mash-up of reader tips
Making the Green-Building Dean's List
LEED for Homes is a new, comprehensive national certification program for green, energy-efficient homes. Builders who’ve tried it like it, but will it change the way houses are built?
Video: How to Sharpen A Chisel With Diamond Hones and a Honing Guide
Watch a demonstration of a basic sharpening technique
Members-only video: Install an Electrical Subpanel
A licensed electrician installs and wires a subpanel in the Fine Homebuilding project house
Fine Homebuilding Issue #216
December 2010/January 2011
Lead-Paint Resource Center
Learn how to keep your remodeling projects lead safe (and litigation free). Our resource center includes videos, downloadable articles, a compliance tool kit, and more.
Blog: Breaktime Spotlight
A Breaktime contributor needs help on the best way to splice a beam over a supporting post for a deck. Learn what our forum respondents have to say.
Contest: Show Us Your Miter-Saw Stand
Help us build the ultimate miter-saw stand, and win the ultimate miter saw to put on it
Contest: Building Blunders
See the winners, and check out the photos of dumb, dangerous, and downright derelict details
Video: There's a Better Way: Unloading Gravel
Forget about shoveling; watch Chuck Miller demonstrate a more efficient technique
Video series: Air-Seal Your Attic
Learn to identify common air leaks and the best materials and methods to seal them right
Fine Homebuilding Issue #215
Kitchens & Baths 2010
Call for Entries: Kitchens & Baths 2011
Find out how to submit your project for consideration
Microsite: Lead-Paint Remodeling Center
Learn about the new EPA rule, dowload our special report and renovator's checklish, and watch videos of how to set up the job site, both indoors and out
Blog: Great Moments in Building History
Great Moments is no longer part of our magazine, but it has a new home on the Web, and best of all, you can submit your own story
Blog: A Carpenter's View
Longtime Fine Homebuilding contributor Larry Hawn talks about life, carpentry, and whatever he wants to
Video : Building Skills: Scribing Trim
Watch a veteran finish carpenter illustrate the basics of scribing a piece of trim to an uneven wall surface and a piece of beadboard around a window stool and apron
with Kit Camp
Fine Homebuilding Issue #214
October/November 2010
Design Contest: Exterior Trim Details
Do you have some details that you think can take top prize? Post them in the gallery, and you might win a Senco cordless trim nailer
The Inspector Game: Framing
Identify nine items that will help the framer improve the energy performance of his next wall
Podcast: Listen to a three-part podcast (and read the transcripts) on GreenBuildingAdvisor.com
1. What Is a Deep Energy Retrofit?
2. Deep Energy Retrofit: Focus on the Envelope
3. Deep Energy Retrofit: Apply the Energy Efficiency Pyramid
Thinning the Herd: How to Pick the Best Eco-builder
Download this white paper at GreenBuildingAdvisor.com
Stand Out from the Pack: Position Yourself as an Expert Eco-Builder
Download this white paper at GreenBuildingAdvisor.com
Microsite: Lead-Paint Remodeling Center
Learn about the new EPA rule, dowload our special report and renovator's checklish, and watch videos of how to set up the job site, both indoors and out
Video series: Window Flashing
Learn how to flash a window in a foam-sheathed wall
Video: Hidden-Doorway Bookcase
See Jeremy Schrock's swinging bookcase in action
Storage Ideas and Solutions
Smart strategies for maximizing space
Tubular Skylights
There's no view of the sky and no direct sunlight, but they promise an easy installation and natural light for less than $200
Video series: Built-in Build-off
A behind-the-scenes look at two very different ways to create custom mudroom cabinets
Fine Homebuilding Issue #213
August/September 2010
Blog: Nitro-Powered Nailer from Senco
See this tool in action
Concrete Calculator for Pier Foundations
With this calculator, you can calculate the concrete amount in two ways: by the bag and by the cubic yard
Heat Pump, Schmeat Pump
See what others have to say about this controversial topic and post your own comment on the essay
Video series: Building Skills
This month: simple wall-framing layout and working with housewrap
Video series: Window Flashing a Window in a Foam-Sheathed Wall
Video series: Built-in Build Off: Mudroom Cabinets
Watch a carpenter and a woodworker square off in our studios to create custom mudroom cabinets
Podcast: Marianne Cusato
Listen to our complete interview with the designer of compact and affordable Katrina Cottages
The Inspector Game: Workshop Slackers
Find five ways for these builders to improve their work setup
Energy-Efficient Homes
A collection of articles on designing and building the ultimate energy-efficient house
Back Cover: When Imperfect Is Ideal
More photos and details on Geoff Alexander's spalted kitchen cabinets
Fine Homebuilding Issue #212
June/July 2010
Blog: Tool Hound
Catch up on the latest tool news and product reviews
Interactive Graphic: Thermal Bridging
See how heat flows through the framing members in walls, roofs, and floors, and how to interrupt this heat flow with rigid insulation
Contest: Break Out of the Indoors
Upload photos of your best decks, pergolas, arbors, and other outdoor projects by June 2. You might just bring home a brand-new DeWalt saw.
Video series: Guide to Painting
Get total access to articles and videos on interior and exterior painting, prep, and cleanup
The Inspector Game: Rain-Screen Siding
Find five mistakes in this pitiful rain-screen wall, and turn the drainage nightmare into drain-plane nirvana
Ultimate Deck Guide
Download 15 articles with all you need to know about decks
Fine Homebuilding Issue #211
Houses 2010
Tutorials from Top Building Pros
Rick Arnold, Myron R. Ferguson, and Mike Guertin teach you everything from efficient framing techniques to rock-solid siding and drywall installation
Build Like a Pro Videos
See proven techniques covering every aspect of building and remodeling
Gallery contest: Break Out of the Indoors
Post a photo of your most beautiful outdoor project for a chance to win a saw and rip guide from DeWalt
Deck materials and cost calculator
Choose from a list of popular materials, price points, and rough dimensions for a customized estimate of what you can expect to pay
Audio slideshow: The House that Sausage Built
Tour the home of California sausage king Bruice Aidells, a visual tribute to Arts and Crafts masters Charles and Henry Greene
Deck Planning Center
Find photos, articles, tips, and videos to get your new deck off to a good start
Fine Homebuilding Issue #210
April/May 2010
Blog: Tool Hound
Catch up on the latest tool news and product reviews
Drywall Calculator
Need help estimating drywall, mud, tape, and screws for your next project? Let our new drywall-coverage calculator do the math for you. And visit our new section on building calculators to estimate everything from shingles to kitchen cabinets
Contest: Ultimate System Sweepstakes
Enter before May 31 for the chance to have your shop outfitted with the Ultimate Festool System. Winners will take home close to $10,000 in Festool Tools.
Video series: Build Like a Pro: Tiling a Kitchen Backsplash and a Shower
Master the basics and learn advanced techniques
Passivehaus Windows
Learn more about these triple-glazed windows with insulated frames
Caution: Hard Hat Area
Tune in for outrageous job-site videos and stories and photos of home-building projects gone south
A new tag line for Fine Homebuilding?
Post your suggestions in our blog
Kitchen and Bath Planning Guide 2010
Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Calculator
Our new Cabinet and Countertop Calculator can help you to figure the cost of your dream kitchen. Mix and match materials, price points, and rough dimensions for a customized estimate of what you can expect to pay.
FineHomebuilding.com Project Gallery
Find ideas and inspiration amid the hundreds of photos of kitchens and baths in the Project Gallery. You can post photos of your own projects, too.
7 Rules for Remodelers
Whether you’re a homeowner or a professional remodeler, you’ll want to pay attention to veteran contractor Mike Guertin’s seven rules for keeping clients happy before, during, and after a remodeling project.
There's a Better Way: Cutting Rigid Insulation
Just because you can break it over your knee doesn’t mean rigid-foam insulation is easy to cut. Learn a great technique that will have you slicing foam easier than a hot knife through butter in our line video series “There's a Better Way.”
Green-Building Guide
Our essential online collection covers every aspect of the green-building process, from design and cost considerations to materials and process.
Green Tax Credit Guide
With more green tax credits available than ever before, now is the perfect time for homeowners and contractors alike to bone up on ecofriendly building practices. Our comprehensive guide can help to keep more green in your back pocket come tax time.
Video Series: How to Replace a Window
Go step-by-step through the process of replacing your old wooden windows in this Build Like a Pro video series.
The Guide to Energy-Efficient Homes
Learn more about this special issue from Fine Homebuilding, watch videos, and access a collection of articles and online tools to help you design and build an energy-efficient home.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #209
February/March 2010
The Ghost of Timbers Past
A multipart audio slideshow explores the dismantling, relocation, reassembly, and preservation of an 18th-century timber frame
Videos: There's a Better Way
We've taken the best reader tips sent in over the past 25 years and turned them into a popular series. Catch up on the latest episodes.
Inside Crown Corners
Find out how others cut them, and defend your approach
Video series: How to Replace a Window
Go step-by-step through the process of replacing your old wooden windows
Video: Guide to Interior Painting
Get tips, techniques, and material reviews you need to get a perfect finish on your next project.
Tool Guide 2.0
Visit the new and improved Tool guide for more than 500 product reviews, including some video reviews. Rate and review your tools today.
A Winning Wood Floor
See how photographer Randy O'Rourke spent nine hours suspended from the ceiling to get the back-cover photo for Fine Homebuilding 's February/March issue
Fine Homebuilding Issue #208
December 2009/January 2010
The Future of Efficient Framing
In this new interactive graphic, tour the framing of a house, and learn about opportunities for efficiency
Contest: Kitchen Island Photo Challenge
Post photos of your most creative kitchen islands for a chance to win
Videos: There's a Better Way
We've taken the best reader tips sent in over the past 25 years and turned them into a popular series. Catch up on the latest episodes.
Blog: Tool Hound
Catch up on the latest tool news and product reviews
Video series: How to Replace a Window
Go step-by-step through the process of replacing your old wooden windows
A Guide to Trim Carpentry
Master the fundamentals of installing trim, crown molding, and baseboard with advice from the pros
Trim Carpenter's Handbook
A collection of top picks from the Fine Homebuilding archive
Fine Homebuilding Issue #207
Kitchens & Baths 2009
Call for Entries: Kitchens & Baths 2010
Find out how to submit your project for consideration
Contest: Kitchen Island Photo Challenge
Post photos of your most creative kitchen islands for a chance to win
Kitchen Upgrade Calculator
For an easy way to calculate costs for new cabinets and countertops, put away your pencil and check out our new online estimator
Kitchen Design: In the Zone
Create three distinct work areas with refined details to bring flexibility, flow, and function to your kitchen's layout. Then read Quality Accessories Help to Organize a Kitchen
Video : Build Like a Pro: Replace a Sink Trap
In this members-only video, Bruce Norman explains how to rebuild an entire sink trap assembly and make it the best plumbing in the house
with Bruce Norman
Fine Homebuilding Issue #206
October/November 2009
There’s a Better Way: Quick Tips with Chuck
Stack-cutting lumber
Revive old caulk tubes
Contest: Timber-Frame Challenge
We're awarding points for complex joinery and overall aesthetics, so start uploading photos of your best timber-frame work now
Winners: Roof-Framing Gallery Challenge
The five winning entries feature skill and style in abundance
Video: Hammer to Hammer
Can bad things happen when you hit two hammer heads together? Watch the video and find out
Game: The Inspector
Test your wiring knowledge, and spot the errors in this three-way switching diagram
Calculator: Insulation Payback
Got a quote for replacing the insulation in your walls or attic? Find out how many years in energy savings it will take to recoup your investment
Poll: Fire Code Change
Should fire sprinklers be required in all new homes? Cast your vote and join the discussion
Videos with the tool hound
Justin Fink takes a close look at the latest in home-building tools
Makita LS1016L sliding compound miter saw
Festool EHL 65 E power planer
Festool 14.4v cordless drill-driver
Fine Homebuilding Issue #205
August/September 2009
There’s a Better Way: Quick Tips with Chuck
An efficient way to paint doors
Fitting coped crown molding
Ridgid's New Fiber Cement Saw
A Canadian contractor reviews the Fuego 5-in. saw
Making an Impression with a Plaster Ceiling Medallion
See additional photos and get details about Mike Dufano's ceiling medallion, featured on the back cover of Fine Homebuilding #205 (August/September 2009)
Ornamental Plaster Renovation
Making an impression with traditional techniques and materials, plus a few new twists
Game: The Inspector
Test your building knowledge, and spot the errors in this photo
Video: Build Like a Pro: How to Solder Copper Cap Flashing
Learn how to shape and solder copper cap flashing, a window's first line of defense against water and the best way to prevent rot, insects, and mold
Video workshop: Build a Deck
Learn to build a custom deck with step-by-step instructions from footings to finish
Fine Homebuilding Issue #204
June/July 2009
There’s a Better Way: Quick Tips with Chuck
Custom taping knife for curved drywall corners
A simple jig to draw an ellipse
Video: Edging Stone Wall Capstones
A torch and water add sizzle and pop to this bluestone's edge
Video: Setting Corner Stones in a Dry-Look Wall
Tight walls require the right stones and a judicious use of motar
Video: Build a temporary brace wall
Before tearing down a load-bearing wall, you need to adequately support the structure above.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #203
Houses 2009
Making the Most of Your Window Choices
The Future of Framing is Here
Smarter strategies can save money, speed construction, improve energy efficiency, and cut down on job-site waste
Remodeling from the Top Down
The phrase "flipping a house" means something entirely different to one Minnesota architect and his family
Fine Homebuilding Issue #202
April/May 2009
Video: How to Make Basic PEX Connections
A plumber demonstrates how to connect PEX components with a push-fit fitting or a clamp ring
Video: Direct Water Into Gutters with a Kickout Flashing Diverter
A proactive approach to flashing one of a roof's most vulnerable intersections
Audio slideshow: Finishing New Stairs in an Old House
A finish job years in the making takes a few turns, but comes out all right in the end
Video: How to Change Standard Thickness-Planer Blades
John White demonstrates his simple method for changing planer blades
Video: How to Change the Blades on an Index-Bladed Planer
A shop pro teaches you how to extend the life of your portable thickness-planer blades and how to change them once they're spent
Video: How to Change the Blade on a DeWalt DW735 Planer
An expert gives you a look under the hood and shows you how to change the blade of our tool test's "best overall"
How to Build a Shopmade Planer Table
This low-cost adjustable table prevents snipe
Video Workshop: Installing Built-Up Crown Molding
Learn to make elegant crown molding by combining profiles into a stacked profile that creates a big impact
Quick Video Tips with Chuck
Minimize Circular-Saw Tearout
Precision Caulking
Fine Homebuilding Issue #201
February/March 2009
Video: Repairing Air Hoses
Learn the differences between materials and three easy fixes that can make a damaged hose as good as new
Audio slideshow: Pacific Northwest Architecture
An architect highlights the hallmarks of a style that responds to its environment
Video: Inspecting a Chimney
An expert mason walks you through his diagnosis of a failing chimney
Video: Learn to Frame a Rough Opening
Scott Grice shares his method for framing rough door openings efficiently
Video: Simplify Door Installation
A carpenter demonstrates how he uses a jig to measure a door's jamb legs with speed and accuracy
Video tips:
Small-Scale Drywall Texturing
Cutting Rigid Insulation
Fine Homebuilding Energy-Smart Homes, Vol. 2
Winter 2009
Video: New Options for Blown-in Insulation
Less dusty than cellulose, blown-in fiberglass increases R-value and installs quickly
Getting to Net-Zero Energy
Common-sense solutions for creating homes that are self-reliant, resilient, and versatile
Sealing Leaks around a Chimney
Learn how using a piece of aluminum drip edge, a tube of sealant, and a few drywall screws can stop one of the biggest air leaks in your home
Solar Hot Water
Look over the shoulder of an expert installer as he fastens panels to the roof and explains how the system works
Video series: Ask the Energy Expert
Energy-smart remodeling advice
Fine Homebuilding Issue #200
December 2008/January 2009
New blogs
The Daily Scoop
Find the latest building-industry news on the topics that matter the most
to your business
The Deans of Green
Get credible green-building and design information from industry experts
Video: Home-Energy Audits Save Homeowners Money
Blower-door tests improve efficiency and lower energy costs by finding where heated air escapes
Video: Cutting Curves with a Wet Saw
Cutting the outside radius is easy, but the inside radius requires a few extra steps and some skill
Video: Cutting Curves in Marble with a Ring-Blade Wet Saw
This specialized tile saw makes quick work of shaping stone and glass tiles
Video: Using a Pocket-Hole Jig
A pocket-hole jig makes cabinet assembly fast and easy
Video: Blowing Fiberglass Insulation
Less dusty than cellulose, blown-in fiberglass increases R-value and installs quickly
Video: 3 Ways to Wrap Cords and Hoses
Maintain the quality of cords and hoses, and avoid kinks and tangles by using proper wrapping technique
Video: Adding a Mitered Integral Bead to Cabinet Face Frames
This detail softens the edge while creating a deep shadowline
Video: Using a Moisture Meter
An accurate moisture meter is the most important tool a wood-floor installer can use
Video: 16-Ga. Finish Nailer Roundup, Part One
Rick Arnold lists his top four must-have features that distinguish one nailer in a market of many
Video: 16-Ga. Finish Nailer Roundup, Part Two
Secondary features worth considering when choosing a finish nailer
Video: 16-Ga. Finish Nailer Roundup, Gun By Gun
Rick Arnold reviews the top features of more than a dozen 16-ga. finish nailers
Video: Tool Review: Milwaukee's New 12-in. Miter Saw
Take a look at the "best overall" in the 12-in miter-saw category
Video tips
Plywood sheet-metal brake
Drywall cutting-tool protection strips
Fine Homebuilding Issue #199
Kitchens & Baths 2008
Audio: Balancing the Save/Splurge Equation
An Austin architect believes that by focusing on key upgrades, an old kitchen can be transformed without sacrificing quality, durability, or style
Frame-and-Panel Cabinet Doors Made Easy
Cope-and-stick router bits are quick but tricky. Here's how to get perfect results
Foot Traffic Goes Out the Door
Before, during, and after photos of space-saving techniques for a compact kitchen remodel
New Products at West Coast Green 2008
Fine Homebuilding managing editor Brian Pontolilo walked the floors of West Coast Green 2008 and came back with these standouts
Video : Building Green Homes in the Pacific Northwest
Take video tours of new and newly remodeled green homes, and learn how the homeowners and contractors achieved their affordability goals
Delve into the Details as you Soak in the Serenity
An architect/landscape design team transform an open field into a place for reflection
Fine Homebuilding Issue #198
October/November 2008
Job-Site Router Techniques
Gary Striegler shares the skills—and the tools—that make better site-built cabinetry, casing, brackets, and flooring
Keep Your Basement Dry With a Curtain Drain
If your house is under assult from groundwater, make perforated pipe your first line of defense
Video: Weatherstripping a Door
Only once you get your doors tight are you ready to weatherstrip
Collection: Proper Paint Preparation
Click before you dip. For a quality paint job, the first thing you need to do is consult our collection of tips and advice from the pros.
Video: This Roof Grows Greener
Learn how planting a roof can help fight global warming
Video: Handheld Laser Measuring Tools
Laser measures do the math for you. Can your tape measure do that?
Video: Using a Worm-Drive Saw
Learn how to adjust the bevel angle and blade depth, how to make precise plunge and bevel cuts, and how to use the weight of the saw to your advantage
Video: Creating Curved Flooring
Use a jigsaw and a router to cut the shape and laminate the thinner strips for a decorative accent
video master class: Running Baseboard
Get a pro's insights on making perfect corners, measuring for accuracy and speed, outsmarting an uneven floor, and hand-coping inside corners
Video tips
Tool-Belt Pencil Sharpener
Working with Tough, Sticky Tape
Stud Finder on a Chain
Prompt Power-Cord Polarity
Fine Homebuilding Issue #197
August/September 2008
Video: Taping and Mudding Inside Corners
For drywall novices, there's nothing more challenging—or messy—than finishing inside corners
Video: Video Tool Test: Trim Routers
Audio: Making the Most of a Small Space
Video: Factory Tour: From Raw Logs to Finished Siding
Inside these Pacific Northwest lumber mills, modern equipment and century-old saws share the spotlight
Video: Factory Tour: Inside a Factory-Finished Siding Plant
For a 25-year warranty on your siding, don't hire a painter. Instead, hire a factory.
Video: Matching Stains to Existing Cabinets
When off-the-shelf stains don't match, here's how to make your own
Video: Tool Review: Festool Kapex Miter Saw
Festool's new Kapex KS120 SCM delivers on features, precision
Audio: Flashing a Window's Head Casing
Video tips
Insulation T-Lift
A Better Work Light for Cramped Conditions
A Big Table for a Portable Tablesaw
Fine Homebuilding Decks & Outdoor Projects, Volume 2
Summer 2008
Video: Using a Skid-Steer Loader
Grading a driveway with one of these machines saves a lot of time, but much of the work is done in reverse
Video: Mixing Concrete in a Wheelbarrow
A simple wheelbarrow, a stiff rake, and a reliable process transform the task of mixing concrete from backbreaker to no-brainer
Video: Assembling an Adirondack Chair
Watch the parts go together and learn a simple technique for cutting and shaping the arms
Video: Planting Container-Grown Ornamentals
Video: Planting Balled and Burlapped Woodies
Video: Planting Bare-Root Plants
Fine Homebuilding Issue #196
June/July 2008
Video: Hanging Drywall
Watch Myron R. Ferguson demonstrate his techniques for smooth, mess-free drywall hanging
Audio: Forming and Pouring a Concrete Sill
Inspired by the concrete countertops in her kitchen, a homeowner hired Michigan-based builder Jeff Louwsma to craft a concrete sill for her cherry entry door. In this audio slideshow, Louwsma explains the process step by step.
Video: Testing Cordless Impact Drivers
With so many models on the market, which one is for you?
Video: Slip Inside a Skinny House
What sort of house can you build on a 25-ft. by 100-ft. lot? Architect Roxana Vargas-Greenan walks you through her award-winning design.
Video: Choosing and Using Electrical Testers
Learn to choose the right tester for the job, and use it with confidence
Audio: Protective Isolation Membranes
Applying a barrier where deck hardware contacts pressure-treated wood can help both last longer
Creating the Poetry House
Salvaged materials and unorthodox building methods are used to create a small, sacred structure
Video: Spectacular Sashes: Constructing Custom Mahogany Windows
Watch the construction of intricate reproduction mahogany windows for a Manhattan row house
Video: Spectacular Sashes: Assembling Custom Mahogany Windows
Large reproduction mahogany windows are painstakingly reassembled and installed in a Manhattan row house
Fine Homebuilding Issue #195
Houses 2008
Understanding LEED-H Scorecards
Reports from three case studies outline what it takes to achieve LEED for Home's silver, gold, and platinum ratings
Tax Credits for Historic Buildings
Federal and state incentive programs make rehabilitating durable old buildings cost-effective
Real-World Rebuild on a Budget
Resourceful homeowners apply Duo Dickinson's "10 steps to reduce an architect's fees" to rebuild the home they lost in a fire
Smart Massing adds Space and Light
Go inside this lakeside cottage to see how massing influences interior shapes
Common-Sense Design
Architectural designer and creator of Katrina Cottage I, Marianne Cusato, shares her design principles for creating functional, attractive homes
Fine Homebuilding Great Kitchens
Spring/Summer 2008
Kitchen Cabinets and Parts Guide
Sound buying advice and a listing of cabinet box, door, and drawer manufacturers
Planning an Outdoor Kitchen
Design consultant and author Deborah Krasner says homeowners should first assess their needs when planning outdoor spaces
Interview with a Cabinetmaker
Six of the most talented cabinetmakers in the country reveal how they approach their craft
A Narrow Kitchen Opens Up
Increased access and creative cabinetry let a small kitchen live big
Fine Homebuilding Issue #194
April/May 2008
Video: What's Green in Brooklyn?
Tour the IceStone plant, where recycled glass and concrete combine to form green countertops and floors you'd swear were stone
Flashing Replacement Windows
This method prevents future leaks and avoids finger pointing
Video: Math Shortcuts for a Shed
A construction calculator is handy not only for determining pitch angles and rafter lengths but also for reducing waste and planning before the lumber arrives
Video: Miter-Saw Features Roundup
A pro tests the top six 12-in. sliding compound-miter saws and details the positive and negative attributes of each
Finishing a Patio Slab
Function determines if the patio's surface is coarse or smooth
Video: Job-Site Sharpening
A belt sander, two honing stones, and stropping compound are all you need to revive a dull or chipped chisel
Video: Inspecting Old Houses
In this four-part video series, author, carpenter, and old-house restoration specialist George Nash inspects a 200-year-old house from attic to basement, inside and out
Fine Homebuilding Issue #193
February/March 2008
Video: Custom Knives, Custom Moldings
A tour inside The New England Woodworking Company's millwork shop
High-Performance HVAC Systems
The key is in understanding how your building's systems work together
Videos: Innovative products featured in the PATH Concept Home
Manufacturers explain the benefits of the products in this house
Video: Cutting Fiber Cement with a Circular Saw
For straight cuts, a circular saw with a specialized blade is the tool of choice
Video: Cutting Curves and Holes in Fiber Cement
A scribe, a hole saw, nibblers, and a jigsaw are all good options when anything but a straight cut is required
Video: Cutting Fiber Cement with Shears
Shears make a nice, clean cut while protecting both your material and your lungs
Video: Nail-Removal Tricks
Remove nails the right way to salvage your boards, your hammer and your hands
Audio: Sunny Skies for Solar Energy
Video interviews and product demonstarations captured at the 2007 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. and at the West Coast Green expo in San Francisco
Audio: An Interview with Henry Cisneros
Minority populations will drive the housing boom and urban renaissance on the horizon
Fine Homebuilding Energy-Smart Homes, Vol. 1
Winter 2008
Video: Immersed in SIPs
Watch how structural insulated panels are manufactured
Installing Housewrap
When properly detailed, high-tech wrappings can reduce the flow of air into outside walls while allowing moisture to escape
Video: Video Highlights from West Coast Green 2007
New and notable green products builders, designers and homeowners can get excited about
Video: Highlights from the Solar Decathlon
Fine Homebuilding editors present video interviews and product demonstrations
Fine Homebuilding Issue #192
December 2007/January 2008
Video: Worm-Drive Saw Master Class
From plunge cuts to drop cuts, learn how to use the weight of a worm-drive saw to your advantage
Beneath the Surface at Montpelier
An inside look at the restoration of a house that made history
Book Excerpt: A Gallery of Unique Fireplaces
Deconstructing fire bricks and ingelnooks, plus Rumford, Irori and Kiva fireplaces explained
Video: Fine-Tuning Hinges
Incremental adjustments do the trick
Plans: Extending a Tablesaw's Worksurface
An infeed support arm and outfeed table improve extra reach and stability
Boosting Tankless Water Heaters
A solar water heater and radiant-floor heat maximize efficiency
Greener by Design
Faced with strict historic building guidelines, an architect gets clever to stay green
Fit New Sashes in Old Jambs
A primer on fitting plumb rails into crooked jambs
Fine Homebuilding Issue #191
Kitchens & Baths 2007
A Bento-Box Bath
A cast-in-place concrete soaking tub is the centerpiece of this Japanese-inspired bath
A Decisive Bathroom Remodel
A quick bathroom makeover turns into a total gut job for one of Fine Homebuilding's Breaktimers
Video: Build a Breakfast Booth
A 14-part step-by-step video tutorial on building the bench
Souped-Up Stock Cabinets
Standard boxes plus stock moldings can transform any kitchen from dull and dreary to dazzling and delightful
Fine Homebuilding Issue #190
October/November 2007
Quick Tips for Better Stair Building
A master stairbuilder shares five simple techniques that greatly improve staircase construction
Downloadable Plan for a Knockdown Router Table
A detailed, scalable parts drawing serves as the blueprint for your own router table
Concrete Countertops, Up Close
A primer on building three-part forms for custom installations
A Volunteer's Gulf Coast Journal
A contractor shares his experiences helping to rebuild a Katrina-ravaged community
Video: Using a Sheet Brake
A professional roofer demonstrates ways to use a stationary brake
Sanding Stands Add Versatility to Belt Sanders
Sanding stand attachments turn a mobile tool into a benchtop workstation
Sanding Frames for Belt Sanders
These add-on accessories keep sanders flat to prevent ugly gouges
Additional Kitchen Cabinet Sources
Sound buying advice and a listing of cabinet box, door, and drawer manufacturers
Finishing a Masterpiece
Learn how a stone carver transformed a massive soapstone fireplace surround from its raw, hand-carved state to a deep, smooth, ebony finish
Fine Homebuilding Weekend Projects Around the House
Fall 2007
Restoring Window Sashes
Yes, they're worth fixing. Those old windows were built better (and from better wood) than anything you can buy today.
Lead-Paint Safety, at Home and on the Job
Whether you're remodeling an older home or just living in one, the paint must be treated with respect, especially if young children are involved
Repairing Drywall
Techniques for fixing everything from popped screws to big holes
Fine Homebuilding Issue #189
August/September 2007
Interview with a Cabinetmaker
Six skilled artisans talk about their craft
Additions Need Not Apply
Before and after photos of the McCoy/Judge ranch remodel
Video: Factory-Framed Floors
Watch Millard Lumber’s floor panel assembly line and an installation at the PATH Concept Home
More Miter-Saw-Stands-Reviewed
Here’s a look at seven additional stands not included in the print article
Video: Miter-Saw-Stand Madness
Mike Guertin explains the classes of miter-saw stands and demonstrates their benefits.
Video: Repair a Garbage Disposal Safely
Learn how to clear a jammed garbage disposal and replace the unit properly
Video: Build a Cutting Gauge
Fine Homebuilding Issue #188
June/July 2007
How to Shape Stone with a Chisel and Hammer
Breaking stones is more of an art than a game of chance
Video: Circular-Saw Tune-Up
Extend the life of your circular saw with simple cleaning and maintenance
Video: Replacing a Circular-Saw Switch and Cord
A tool pro demonstrates a common circular saw repair
How Giant Clamshells Form
A slideshow details the construction of a masterfully crafted Rhode Island entry
Video: A Visit to a Shingling Recycling Factory
How a Connecticut recycler keeps old shingles out of the landfill
Video: Immersed in SIPs
Tour a SIP manufacturing facility in Vermont
Blog: John Ross chronicles SIP building
Fine Homebuilding Issue #187
Houses 2007
A Closer Look: Colonial Roots, Fresh Approach
Additional views of carvings and daylighting strategies
A Closer Look: Seduced by the Shingle Style
More cozy interior spaces and dynamic exterior details
Video: Maximizing a Small Space Homeowner Tour
A homeowner takes you on a guided tour of her big little backyard house
Video: Maximizing a Small Space Architect Tour
Take an architect-guided tour of the big little backyard house
A Closer Look: At Home on a Hilltop
Additional views of the hilltop, the house, and its built-in details
A Closer Look: Growing Family, Growing Bungalow
More ideas for combining traditional Craftsman-style details with modern design and materials
Video: Building Codes for a Small Planet
An argument for principles that moderate the negative impacts of construction and development
Video: Great Gates for Any House
Watch gate maker Julian Hodges carve a quatrefoil
Fine Homebuilding Home Makeover Ideas
Summer 2007
The Perfect Master Bath
An architect's advice on turning a good bath into a great bath -- without breaking the bank
Classical Proportions Make Attractive Trim
Greek and Roman orders of architecture can help establish molding size and placement
Five Kitchen Design Solutions (opens in new window)
Take an interactive look at how to solve some tricky -- but common -- kitchen-design challenges
A Victorian Re-imagined (opens in new window)
Greek and Roman orders of architecture can help establish molding size and placement
Fine Homebuilding Issue #186
April/May 2007
Weatherproofing Dormers
Flashing dormers using peel-and-stick "bowties"
Installing Precast Concrete Foundation Wall Panels Set on Gravel Footings
So easy, even a carpenter can do it
Mantel Drawings: a 3-D Animation
A free 3D drawing tool helps visualize difficult projects before you make your first cut
Video: Mixing Concrete in a Wheelbarrow
A simple wheelbarrow, a stiff rake, and a reliable process transform the task of mixing concrete from backbreaker to no-brainer
Inside the Hobbit House
A photo tour of a modern-day cottage based on mythical literature
Fine Homebuilding Issue #185
February/March 2007
Get the Right Replacement Windows (pdf)
They're a big investment with a big potential payoff. Here's what you need to know about types, warranties, comfort, and installation.
Green Building Resources
Learn more about sustainable building from the listings below
Video: Slate Roofing and Repair Techniques
A skilled installer shows how to work with slate tiles
Blog: Building the PATH Concept Home
An insider's look at a public-private partnership in Omaha, NE which promotes the advancement of technology in housing
Fine Homebuilding Issue #184
December 2006/January 2007
Laser Levels: Manufacturers
A list of links to view the tools and their specs
Fine Homebuilding Issue #183
Kitchens & Baths 2006
More Fixtures & Materials
Three new and noteworthy products for kitchen and bath
Kitchen Islands -- More Solutions, More Photos
Masterfully tailored to their spaces, these kitchen workstations designed by Johnny Grey show how to combine utility with panache
Kitchens & Baths 2006: Manufacturers
Links to manufacturers' Web sites mentioned in Fine Homebuilding's Kitchens & Baths 2006 issue
Hot-Water Recirculation
Discuss hot-water recirculation with a master plumber and an energy specialist
Fine Homebuilding Issue #182
October/November 2006
Laminate-Flooring Manufacturers and Links to Online Retailers
A list of links to view products and see specs
Fine Homebuilding Issue #181
August/September 2006
Video: Back Brushing
Learn how to even out the coverage as you spray
Video: Exterior Masking
A few minutes of work before you paint can save hours of cleanup later
More on Old Wiring
Specialty testers and code issues
Fine Homebuilding Issue #180
June/July 2006
Video: PEX Water-Pipe Connections
Leakproof joints are made faster than soldering
Video: Using a Crosscut Sled
A crosscut sled not only increases the safety of working with a tablesaw, but also enhances the versatility of the tool itself
Fine Homebuilding Issue #178
April/May 2006
Video: Using a Rotary Floor Machine
Creating and maintaining a decorative concrete floor requires a rotary floor machine -- here's how to use one
A List of Air-Compressor Manufacturers
Browse the Web sites of air compressor manufacturers to look for a model that suits your needs and budget
Fine Homebuilding Issue #177
February/March 2006
Video: Making a Story Stick
A story stick can save time and minimize measuring mistakes during cabinet construction
Video: Stone Veneering
You can make a plain-looking wall into a great-looking rock wall by veneering it with fieldstone
Fine Homebuilding Issue #170
April/May 2005
Framing a Staircase
34 steps to building cut-stringer stairs
Fine Homebuilding Issue #169
February/March 2005
Video: Bend Sheet Metal without a Brake
Save money on small jobs by using hinged 2x4s
Video: Homemade Pan Flashing
Protect the subfloor from rot by directing errant water, from leaks, out and away from the building
Video: Cutting Long Stock on Sawhorses
It might seem counter-intuitive, but keep the horses close together
More on Old Wiring
Specialty testers and code issues
Fine Homebuilding Issue #168
December 2004/January 2005
Video: Electrical Lockout/Tagout
Cut the power at the circuit box, and keep it off, before starting any electrical work
Video: Checking Clearance for Recessed Lighting
Don't cut the hole unless you know there's enough room for the fixture
Video: Long Electrical Runs in Closed Walls
Long drill bits eliminate the need to punch holes in plaster or drywall when fishing cable behind closed walls
Rain-Screen Walls: A Better Way to Install Siding
Spacing the siding away from the housewrap promotes ventilation and drainage for long-lasting siding and paint
What's Your Favorite Tool for $20 or Less?
See issue #168 for the editors' choices; post your own favorites on Breaktime
Fine Homebuilding Issue #166
October/November 2004
Raising a 12x16 Timber Frame
A parts list and a close look as timbers come together as a structure
Counter Act
A belt sander will be your best friend when fitting factory-made laminate countertops to wavy walls
More Painting Tips
A painting pro answers common questions
Fine Homebuilding Issue #165
August/September 2004
Video: Three Router Bits for a Handsome Transom
Routers equipped with a slot cutter, a rabbeting bit, and a roundover bit do the work of costly shapers
Fine Homebuilding Issue #164
June/July 2004
Video: Taping Drywall Seams
Create perfect walls with minimal mess, effort, and frustration
Fine Homebuilding Issue #161
February/March 2004
Video: Using a Water Level
All you really need are a length of plastic tubing and a bucket of water
Video: Tape-Measure Tips
Not all tapes are created equal, so here are some pointers for making accurate measurements
Fine Homebuilding Issue #160
December 2003/January 2004
Installing a Leakproof Shower Pan
A thick mortar bed over a vinyl membrane makes a sturdy base for tile, but it pays to test for leaks
Framing a Bay-Window Roof
It's only a small hip roof, but its 45° corners befuddle many carpenters. Drawing bay roofs out full scale is key to fast and accurate framing.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #159
Kitchens & Baths Annual Issue - Winter 2003
QuickTime Virtual Tours
Take a peek inside three spectacular kitchens and a bath
Fine Homebuilding Issue #157
August/September 2003
Video: Using a Builder's Level
Find the high spots by comparing measurements taken at different points along the foundation
SawStop Revisited
SawStop inventor launches own line of safety-minded table saws
Fine Homebuilding Issue #156
June/July 2003
Plugging into the Sun
Solar electricity was always a good idea. Is it finally affordable? Use this photovoltaic economic calculator to find out.
Finishing Hardwood Floors
A professional takes the fear out of sanding and shows how to get great results with waterborne finishes
Fine Homebuilding Issue #154
April/May 2003
Vinyl Siding Done Right
If vinyl's final, you'd best get the details right. A veteran builder shows how to make it water-resistant and attractive.
Installing Vinyl-Clad Windows
A nailing flange makes installation quick and easy; but pay attention to the details, or you'll never get the windows open
Video: Cutting Plywood without a Tablesaw
Jigs can turn an ordinary circular saw into an accurate cutting tool
Fine Homebuilding Issue #153
February/March 2003
Understanding Cordless-Tool Batteries
Misused batteries die young. Replacements are costly. Here's how to get the longest life from your batteries.
Video: Making Treehouses for Kids in Wheelchairs
Vermont group creates treehouses for wheelchair-bound kids
Video: Painting Tips from a Pro: Make a Cut Bucket
Loading the brush is easier and less messy with a rimless paint container
Video: Painting Tips from a Pro: How to Cut In in a Straight Line
Painting along an edge requires a drier brush and a steady hand
Fine Homebuilding Issue #152
December 2002/January 2003
Choosing and Using a Miter Saw
These indispensable tools come in many shapes and sizes; here's how to get the most from them
Video: "Upside Down and Backward" Still Works Best for Crown Molding
A simple jig and a couple of pattern blocks reduce the risk of cutting at the wrong angle
Video: Preparing the Valley of a Roof for Shingling
Proper preparation goes a long way toward preventing leaks
Fine Homebuilding Issue #151
Kitchens & Baths Annual Issue - Winter 2002
Expanded Source List for Kitchen Flooring
Links to makers of laminates, wood , bamboo, palm, rubber, stainless steel, cork, vinyl, linoleum, tile, and stone flooring
Fine Homebuilding Issue #150
October/November 2002
Video: Proper Care and Fitting of Respirators for Lead Dust Protection
Workers need more than paper masks when lead dust starts flying
Sizing an Electrical Service
Although a 200-amp service is adequate for most residences, calculating the actual load is a good idea. This chart from Code Check Electrical can help you with your calculations.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #149
August/September 2002
Video: Using a Skid-Steer Loader
Grading a driveway with one of these machines saves a lot of time, but much of the work is done in reverse
No Carpenters Were Harmed in the Making of This Article
Executive editor Andy Engel explains the pros and cons of using a mock job site for a photo shoot
Fine Homebuilding Issue #148
June/July 2002
Video: Cordless Impact Drivers
If all you've ever used for driving screws is a cordless drill/driver, try one of these lightweight powerhouses and you'll never go back
Why Exterior Finishes Fail
Government scientists explain why paint cracks, blisters and peels on your house, and how you can prevent it
Video: Cut a Radius in Ceramic Tile with a Wet Saw
Although wet saws cut only straight lines, they still can be used to cut a radius
Fine Homebuilding Issue #146
April/May 2002
Spend a little time measuring and striking lines, and the rest is fairly easy
Video: "Upside Down and Backward" Still Works Best for Crown Molding
A simple jig and a couple of pattern blocks reduce the risk of cutting at the wrong angle
Fine Homebuilding Issue #145
February/March 2002
Video: A Quiet House on a Noisy Street
22,000 cars a day presented a design challenge that creativity and zoning variances surmounted
Fine Homebuilding Issue #144
December 2001/January 2002
Video: Distribute Hardwood Flooring before Nailing
Rack the boards and make installation a smoother operation
Video: Three Ways to Mount an Electrical Box in a Tight Spot
With limited space to swing a hammer, there are still ways to install the box securely
Dedicated Collets vs. Collets with Inserts
One type is easier to use; the other is easier to lose
Fine Homebuilding Issue #142
October 2001/November 2001
Video: Stop Ceiling-Fan Blade Wobble
Using the balancing clip is a tedious job, but necessary when all else fails
Fine Homebuilding Issue #140
June/July 2001
Video: Hand Signals for Cranes
Getting the crane to do what you need is as simple as pointing your finger
Fine Homebuilding Issue #139
HOUSES Spring/Summer 2001
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