Issue 200

For flawless wood floors, avoid these installation and finishing mistakes

Mike Guertin demonstrates his step-by-step process for bringing the sun's rays into a dark hallway

BuildingGreen.com has an interactive online calculator to make comparing fuel costs simple

The International Code Council, the governing body responsible for the International Residential Code (IRC), recently approved a proposal to require fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family homes and…

Stats on everything from paint sales and components to factories and labor costs 

12-in. sliding compound-miter saw (6955-20) by Milwaukee

3-Ply poly Chimney Balloon keeps hot air where it should be 

Titen HD screw anchor by Simpson Strong-Tie

Bad, not big, homes are the problem I love and applaud the concepts behind architect Sarah Susanka’s approach to home design: optimizing function, utility, cost, and energy consumption to fit…

A fireplace not only adds warmth to any room, it also sets the tone

Should you wear glass, plastic, or polycarbonate lenses?

Select the trowel based on the size of the tile being used and the substrate material.

Does price matter, or is a latex caulk by any other name still the same?

Learn how to avoid twists and kinks that can cause damage

For consistent results, rotate the stock, not the saw, and cut opposing pieces at the same time 

When all else fails, an unlikely tool gets the job done

Start with a top-down approach, then choose a shape that lands in a good spot

Maintain the quality of cords and hoses, and avoid kinks and tangles by using proper wrapping technique 

This detail softens the edge while creating a deep shadowline.

Watch Mike Guertin blown in fiberglass insulation, an affordable way to increase R-value in homes with empty attics.

A pocket-hole jig makes cabinet assembly fast and easy.

Cutting the outside radius is easy, but the inside radius requires a few extra steps and some skill.

This specialized tile saw makes quick work of shaping stone and glass tiles.

Rick Arnold lists his top-four must-have features that distinguish one nailer in a market of many

Secondary features worth considering when choosing a finish nailer

An accurate moisture meter is the most important tool a wood-floor installer can use.

Give your brake a break with this improvised custom-flashing device

Try this ingenious alternative use for paper-face metal drywall tape when cutting against a finished surface.

Rick Arnold reviews the top features of more than a dozen 16-ga. finish nailers

Finish carpenter Kit Camp revisits the "best overall" in the 12-in miter-saw category

Mike Guertin explains the ins and outs of how tubular skylights work.

Locate the skylight's position, then mark and cut the opening in the roof

Proper flashing ensures a long life for the skylight and the roof

In this final step, Mike Guertin works his way from the top down to connect the tube and let the daylight in

Less dusty than cellulose, blown-in fiberglass increases R-value and installs quickly