Issue 273 – Feb/Mar 2018

Follow this process for a smooth, watertight seal when adding new putty around panes in an old wood sash.

To soften glazing and remove the glass from an old window, a homemade steam box is priceless.

These fixtures save space and make your bathroom easier to clean, but installation demands a different workflow.

Remodeler Andrew Grace explains the ins and outs of installing a wall-hung toilet.

Designing a better wall system isn’t particularly hard. Designing one with a chance of being accepted by production builders, on the other hand, has proven difficult...and that’s a problem.

For great results with wipe-on polyurethane, you have to go beyond the instructions on the back of the can.

Use this method of sanding and applying polyurethane to create a furniture finish that's smooth as glass.

Foam-board insulation can boost R-value, slow thermal bridging, and control condensation—but you better choose the right type.

Rigid foam must be thick enough to prevent condensation on the roof sheathing.

Improving the self-adhesive zipper opening.

Condenser dryers don’t make sense for every house, but are a great solution when venting isn’t an option.

Designed to tread lightly on the land and with minimal amenities, this family retreat is still built to last.

A challenging site and complex design give way to easy outdoor living.

An ­electrician shares the ­basics of ­bending, ­fastening, and ­connecting electrical ­metallic tubing to run wire in for new electrical circuits.

Electrical metallic tubing provides an easy way to add boxes without opening walls.

Start clean and work safe when expanding off of existing circuits.

Installing electrical boxes plumb and level, and carefully laying out and measuring bend locations for conduit, makes for clean installations.

Making bends with a manual EMT bender requires a little math and measuring for consistent results.

If you’ve only worked with flush-mount electrical boxes, surface-mount boxes may hold some surprises.

At a time when fewer and fewer humans make anything of physical value, carpenters engage in a profoundly creative process.

Makita's XSR01 cordless, rear-handle, blade-left circular saw is an excellent full-time framing saw.

Tool Review: Kum Long Point Pencil Sharpener is a definite step up from a standard sharpener.

This polypropylene vent has a smooth shape for maximum airflow, and it is installed at the same time as the fan.

These inspirational examples of well-designed closets offer remarkable features for every need.

Getting these framing, insulation, air-sealing, and mechanical details right could make your home more comfortable and more affordable to live in.

These mantel examples illustrate not only the range of independent design options but also the plug-and-play aspect of fireplace-surround details.

Follow these 9 steps to install quiet, well-connected ABS and PVC piping.

Both PVC and ABS plastic pipe are so easy to work with that they're often slapped together without much thought. Are you sure you're joining them correctly?

“If you can make a board flat, straight, and square, you can do just about anything.”