Issue 317 – Aug/Sept 2023
Features
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A Flat Roof in a Cold Climate
A three-bedroom house in a cold climate challenges conventions with SIP wall construction, a unique floor plan, and a flat roof.
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Compact Cordless Shop Vacs
These superportable, 18v, toolbox-shaped vacuums make cleanup fast and easy.
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Placing and Finishing a Heated Concrete Floor
Learn how to pour a concrete floor for a post-frame building, including radiant tubing for warmth and steel reinforcement for strength.
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Upfront Carbon Emissions in Home Construction
Choosing materials and methods that lower upfront emissions is key to reducing our climate impact.
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Fine Homebuilding Issue #317 Online Highlights
Find online articles and videos on the podcast, reviews on a lithium power station, and more.
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Keegan McAuliffe, Builder and Business Owner
In an area with a nearly nonexistent building code, this builder has cornered a niche market for high-performance homes.
Tips & Techniques
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Improvised Pilot HoleA plywood guide helps widen a misplaced hole.
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Minimize Mess from a Wet/Dry VacA few simple techniques when handling a wet/dry vac can limit the mess.
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Post-Stave SaveIf a hollow stave-built column is separating, this technique will allow you to access the center portions.
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Simple Drain-Line PlugThis plug will prevent the drain line from leaking water during a garbage disposal or dishwasher replacement.
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Conform to Ceiling CurvesTo accommodate a curved ceiling when installing a new non-load-bearing wall, make a series of kerf cuts in the top plate.
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Set Trusses SoloThis jig makes it possible to install roof trusses by yourself.
Know the Code
Tools & Gear
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A Truck That Powers the JobAs an EV, the Ford F-150 Lightning brings benefits beyond what a typical truck can offer.
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Cordless Impact Driver for a Tight SqueezeThis angle driver can drive screws in locations that are much too tight for a pistol-grip driver.
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Frustration-Free Hole SawMilwaukee's Hole Dozer hole saws make plug removal easy.
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Lightweight but Functional Pry BarMartinez Tool Co.'s titanium MTC Pry Bar is a versatile tool of exceptional quality.
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Deeper Cuts in ConcreteThe Stihl GS 461 Rock Boss chainsaw provides the ability to make deep plunge cuts in concrete.
HOUSES by Design
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Carriage-House ConversionA renovation of a late-1800s carriage house brought to back to life a building that had sat abandoned for decades.
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Multipurpose Historical RenovationThis 100-year-old bungalow, which had been stripped down to the studs, is now a model of how to integrate workspace into a home.
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Opening an Eichler Home to the OutdoorsExperience the seamless connection between indoors and outdoors in this artistically designed 1951 Joseph Eichler home.
Spec
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Compact Concealed FridgeWith hidden hinges and tight-fitting custom door panels, Fisher & Paykel’s cabinet-depth integrated refrigerators fit seamlessly into any modern kitchen.
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Pullout Dining TableHost a dinner party in a small space with this integrated cabinet and table.
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Comprehensive Shelving for Complete LivingAdaptable, simple, and customizable, the String shelving system has a timeless and functional design.
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Functional Floating Vanity for Smaller BathroomsSignature Hardware’s elegant Nadiya wall-mount vessel-sink vanity provides more floor space for smaller bathrooms.
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A Wall Oven for a Small SpaceThese elegant wall ovens from Bosch are modest in size but not in features.
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All-in-One Laundry with Heat PumpThe UltraFast Combo from GE is a great fit for a smaller home and has moisture-reducing technology.
