Issue 236 – June/July 2013

With the roof built, it’s time to tackle the window installation.

Needing a spare room for occasional overnight guests, ornithologist Alan Poole first thought about building a yurt on his wooded lot. Poole asked contractor and fellow bird-watcher Mike Sylvia to…

Learn how to choose the right door locks for your home.

Builder Andy Engel shares his tricks for pulling cable through framing.

A simple technique for determining a good shape for a bay window is to match the proportions of the facade on which it sits.

When it comes to saving money on utility bills, the jury is still out on whether radiant barriers are worth it.

There’s nothing like a fireplace to bring character and individuality to a room. We found these six in our online gallery and liked them so much that we wanted to…

Builders with clients who request a second floor balcony have to figure out durable details that will support people and railings.

The celebrated homebuilder describes his journey from timber-frame disciple to successful businessman

The 2012 International Residential Code requires basement insulation in new homes in climate zones 3 and higher. The minimum code requirements for foam basement-wall insulation are R-5 in climate zone…

“Mom and Dad must have paid for that one,” our neighbor said, apparently assuming that the net-zero energy house my wife, Alex, and I had just built and moved into…