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Issue 218

On the Cover

Structural Solutions for Small Bump-outs

With the right support, foundation-free additions can make a big impact.

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The Magazine

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Features

  • Ultimate Miter-Saw Stand

    You designed it and we built it, with the help of some great accessories.

  • Save Energy with a Cool Roof

    A cool roof can be a good energy-saving option. Reflective roofing improves comfort and reduces cooling costs in the Deep South and anywhere the sun shines.

  • Grooved Decking fasteners
    Fasteners for Grooved Decking

    Grooved boards and hidden fasteners combine for a blemish-free surface.

  • How to Install a New Door Jamb in an Old Doorway

    Preinstall the trim and get the flashing details right to create a long-lasting, welcoming entrance to your home.

  • Smart Phones for Smart Builders

    A restoration contractor shares the 11 iPhone apps that keep his truck neat, his subs in line, and his crew out of the rain.

  • Tool Test: 12v Li-Ion Compact Drills

    Each of these eight pint-size tools is light, powerful, and affordable, but which is the best?

Article

  • Designed for Density

    A big house on an infill lot embraces its historic neighborhood and proves that buyers are willing to pay for energy efficiency.

  • How it Works: Urban heat island

    An urban heat island can cause a host of problems, including smog formation and the excessive reliance on air-conditioning in summer months.

What is the Difference

  • What's the Difference: Asphalt repair

    Cracks, depressions, and holes

  • Receptacle vs. breaker
    Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)

    Electrician Brian Walo explains the pros and cons of using GFCI receptacles vs. GFCI breakers.

Building Skills

  • Building Sturdy Sawhorses

    Learn how to easily build a pair of simple, stackable sawhorses.

Master Carpenter

  • Laminating Curved Stair Stringers

    Freestanding curved stairs are a masterful display of building prowess. After St. Louis builder Joe Hawkins built a set of these stairs for a client, he decided to use the…

Drawing Board

  • Transitioning with exterior gateways

    Although we don't always think of them, we frequently use exterior gateways on our way to entering a house. Architect and designer Katie Hutchison offers a survey of various entry…

Energy Smart Details

  • Preventing Ice Dams

    Ice dams are a sign of an inefficient house.

Tailgate

  • Tailgate: David Crowe, Economist

    The National Association of Home Builders’s chief economist sees conditions improving, but slowly.

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • How To Prevent Bath-Fan Condensation
  • Anchoring a new wall over radiant tubing
  • Stone tiles for a fireplace surround
  • Insulation retrofit in Hawaii

Readers Tips

  • Plumb-bob standoff for production door hanging
  • Housewrap Cutting Station
  • Labor-Saving Deck-Building Strategy
  • Fixing a Sheet-Flooring Bubble
  • Easy-Off Dust Protection for Remodels
  • Ladder Support Where You Need It
  • Replacement Towel Bar

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

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