Issue 276 – July 2018

Back up roof vent boots with flashing, counterflashing, and proper shingling to prevent leaks.

Use a better plumbing vent pipe boot flashing to last the lifetime of a new roof.

Use flashing tape and additional underlayment to backstop your flashing boot.

This compact, panelized home takes its design inspiration from the vast Western landscape and local building traditions.

With a 960-sq.-ft. footprint, this building’s tall ceilings, interlinked spaces, and long vistas across rooms and the outdoors make this compact home feel expansive.

Bucking industry norms, these ­builders stay on budget with up-front, fixed ­pricing on every new home and remodel.

Why “cost-plus” builders should consider getting to a firm price faster.

Pluses of an on-demand water heater include endless hot water and a compact design, but the ­installation means a lot of pipes in a small space.

These grain-matched, mitered floating shelves slide onto a cleat for easy installation and a clean, modern look.

There’s a new Bosch Colt on the market, and its variable-speed, soft-start motor has been beefed up.

A very nice piece of gear that would serve many carpenters well. But not in a production-framing environment.

I’m always just a quick spin away from having a sharp point.

Builder’s Helper has all the features I need and at $15, it’s less expensive than a construction calculator.

Protect your car from job-site grime with these bib overalls for your truck.

Easy being green: The DW079LG is rated with an indoor-visibility range of 250 ft. and a detector range of 2000 ft.

A third-floor sauna, a curved eyebrow dormer home office, and a jungle gym above a garage.

As construction materials and building-science principles evolve, the details we include in our new homes have to too.

Building Skills: Tips for better driving and for a finished look.

A carpenter shows tricks of the trade to keep hand-driven nails from bending and wood from splitting.

Here are some guidelines for getting your shed dormers right.

"I take jobs that a normal contractor looks at and says, ‘Oh, gee … I’m not sure.’ "