Issue 283 – June 2019

Within the existing footprint and with respect for its historic character, an 1850s home is revived from disrepair and reconfigured with a modern floor plan.

This 1650-sq.-ft. urban home challenges market norms with a thoughtful modern design.

A blandly-styled, ho-hum home is gutted and reborn.

This is the story of an energy-efficient house, a rain tank, an incredible view, and two determined homeowners who didn’t quite realize what they were getting themselves into.

Ricon Ranch is a home that was inspired by and is exceptionally sensitive to its fragile surroundings.

A dated ranch house adopts energy-efficient upgrades, building-science strategies, and an open floor plan.

Watch a 90-ft.-long custom CNC machine make all the precise cuts for a timber rafter.

This custom Murphy Bed built by trim carpenter Nathan Rinne allows a spare bedroom to conveniently double as an office.

Modified tool removes thinset and makes for better tile joints.

Improvised and improved stapler for securing wiring

Make your own glue roller to lay down PVA glue quickly and consistently.

A better way to paint and let shelves dry.

Cut down on dust and cracks when drilling tile.

How to deal with and prevent future stubborn vent hood lamps.

Speedheater Cobra Infrared paint remover softens paint for removal without the high heat of a torch or heatgun.

Shock Doctor Ultra Knit Knee Support stays in place and does a better job than tradition knee pads.

The compact Bosch GKF12V-25 12v cordless router shines for edge profiling.

The sturdy and flexible Veto DR-XL tool bag makes it easy to keep your small job-site tools close at hand.

Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover is environmentally friendly and easy to clean up.

See what construction details and materials make boots safer, more durable, and more comfortable.

Learn what makes each type of bit unique to help you choose the right one for every project.

Wood, resin, magnesium, and aluminum versions of this essential masonry tool all have their pros and cons.

Nonmetallic-sheathed cable and metallic-sheathed cable each have their place in home electrical systems.

Get the specifications you need to install stairs, porches, decks, and more to provide a safe, comfortable means of egress that meets building codes.

The uneasy relationship between tradespeople and architects is well known, but a bigger challenge many builders face is figuring out how to get along with a structural engineer.

All-natural grasscloth wallpaper from twenty2 is deeply textured and rich in tone.

The Airfoil electrical box provides a safe and convenient way to stop heat and moisture from leaking through your walls.

LP WeatherLogic panels–the latest offering in the world of weather-resistive sheathings–looks surprisingly similar to some familiar building products.

Mitsubishi MLZ ductless minisplit

Mass-loaded vinyl is a low-profile solution for stopping sound transmission.

These mod Bluetooth speakers by Urbanears can work alone or be paired together in Multi Mode.

Big Chill's Classic Line mixes modern technology with 1930s style.

These aluminum brackets are sleek, modern solutions for creating solid joints in heavy timber structures.

This versatile NativeStone kitchen sink is durable yet relatively lightweight.

These construction details can improve the durability of exterior walls by allowing rain and moist air to escape from behind your home's siding.

This craftsman's love of carpentry and desire to get more people prepared for the construction industry is why he helped create a revolutionary design and craft training program.