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Issue 276 – July 2018

On the Cover

How to Install an Electrical Subpanel

A neatly wired electrical panel is safer and easier to troubleshoot.

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Features

  • person wiring an electrical subpanel neatly
    How to Wire an Instagram-Worthy Electrical Subpanel

    When installing a panel, neatness counts, both for impressing clients and for future service.

  • Siding to Last a Lifetime

    Builder John Constantini outlines rainscreen details that improve the durability of any lap-siding installation.

  • Good-Looking, Long-Lasting Lap Siding

    Flawless installation and clever details mean this rainscreen wall assembly will weather the biggest storms.

  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #276 Online Highlights
    Fine Homebuilding Issue #276 Online Highlights

    Here are the online extras from Fine Homebuilding’s July 2018, Issue #276: On page 6 of Fine Homebuilding issue #276, we featured a number of online extras and urged readers…

  • All You Need Is a Track Saw

    Learn how to break down plywood and other sheet goods ­efficiently and ­accurately without a tablesaw.

  • How to Break Down Plywood With a Track Saw

    Follow this step-by-step sequence for cutting sheet goods to accurate sizes, all without a tablesaw.

Article

  • vent pipe flashing
    Vent Flashing Done Right

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

  • retrofit permaboot
    A Guide to Better Boot Flashings

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

  • Back Up Your Vent Pipe Flashing

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

  • small home in Oregon
    Small Home in Eastern Oregon Suits Its Site

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

  • How to Make a Small House Work

    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.

  • Author Jeremy Martin (right) and his business partner, Chris Risher, remodeled this 100-year-old fishing lodge into a modern home, working to budget home construction on time and within 1% of their fixed-price bid.
    How to Budget Home Construction on Target, Every Time

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

  • The bidding process for home construction can be improved with pre-construction planning and an architect/builder partnership.
    Better Bidding for Residential Construction and Remodeling

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

  • This tankless water heater has hose clamps for connecting the combustion-air and flue-gas piping to the top of the water heater.
    How to Install a Tankless Water Heater

    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.

  • Floating shelves have a modern, seamless look. This article explains how to create floating shelves from 3/4-in. rift-sawn white-oak plywood, from cutting the mitered corners, to glue up, to installation. The author puts extra emphasis on the finishing touches—wire brushing, light sanding, and touch-ups.
    Floating Shelves Made Strong and Simple

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

Tools & Materials

  • More ­Horses for Colt Routers

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

  • DeWalt’s 60v Saw Is Not Quite Ready for Production Framing

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

  • Perfect Pencil

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

  • Killer Construction App

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

  • Covercraft’s Carhartt Custom Duck Weave Seat Covers Offer Fair Price, Stout Protection

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

  • DeWalt Self-Leveling Rotary Level Features an Easily Seen Laser

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

Project Gallery

  • Project Gallery: Special Spaces

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

Musings of an Energy Nerd

  • Mike Guertin installing product in new home
    New Homes: 9 Things You Don’t Need, and 5 You Do

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

Building Skills

  • Hand-Nailing Tricks

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

  • Building Skills Video: Tips for Hand-Nailing

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

Design/Build

  • shed dormers on a detached garage
    Shed Dormers, Explained

    Here are some guidelines for getting your shed dormers right.

Keep Craft Alive

  • Keep Craft Alive: Jon Day, Restoration Carpenter

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

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Flashing for Old Windows
  • Solid Fastening for Kitchen Cabinets
  • What to Do About a Cracked Concrete Block Foundation
  • Retrofitting Foam Insulation on a Roof

Readers Tips

  • Drywall Patch for Wall Anchors
  • Paired Chalklines
  • Long-Reach Stapler
  • Keep Your Air Tools Clean
  • Easy Ellipses … Mostly

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • 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 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

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