Rick Arnold

Build the roof first to make the installation go smoother

Whether by bag or truckload, the right concrete can make the project, and the wrong concrete can ruin it.

Split-jamb doors have some advantages: they have casing installed already, which offers a little wiggle room in old houses in terms of accommodating wall thickness.

For good results with this rotproof material, you have to understand how it moves

Form, pour, and stamp a concrete sidewalk for an inviting path to any front door

Step by step guide with everything you'll need to take your deck from footings and framing to finish.

An L-shaped staircase is less complicated than you might think, and the framing techniques shown here will improve even the most basic set of stairs.

The word 'shed' doesn't do justice to the solid structure Rick Arnold builds in our month-long video series. Tune in now to watch the first few episodes.

Rick Arnold reviews the top features of more than a dozen 16-ga. finish nailers

Rick Arnold lists his top-four must-have features that distinguish one nailer in a market of many

Secondary features worth considering when choosing a finish nailer

Titen HD screw anchor by Simpson Strong-Tie

The right tool can improve the speed, accuracy, and quality of your trimwork

Fuego 6 1⁄2-in. Compact Circular Saw

Smart framing and layout make this job seem easy

Convoy Super caulking gun

Using a construction calculator during planning helps avoid wasting time, money, and materials

Time-saving tips about planning, materials, and construction that will get any outbuilding up in a hurry

A pro shares a framing method for high-performance stairs that resist cracking, shrinking, and warping

Use a sliding T-bevel and simple angles to simplify skirtboard and landing transitions

The best models help you to handle a multitude of carpentry tasks by setting up quickly, moving easily, and providing solid support

Comments on seven additional stands reviewed by our testers

Flashing dormers using peel-and-stick bowties

Assembling parts on the ground and cutting the roof at the last minute provide a low-stress route to a high-value project

Aluminum fascias and vinyl soffits never need painting, look great, and incorporate ventilation

Get the details right, and a small increase in wall thickness can make a big difference in energy performance

Build this simple foundation with basic tools and ingredients

The newest corded saws cut more aggressively than their predecessors, and they're easier to adjust and handle

If you know how to handle a few tricky spots, this elegant detail can be a snap to install

The final result looks like custom trim, but it's painless and affordable to make by combining stock profiles

Thanks to interlocking foam forms, you can form, pour, and insulate any small foundation in a single day

New circular saws are more lightweight, comfortable, convenient, and precise than ever before. Here's a close look at 10 top models.

Radiant-panel systems a carpenter can install are perfect under a wood floor

In a field of powerful and accurate tools, three saws stand out with useful features and large cutting capacities

Do the math on a calculator so that you can concentrate on what's important: getting the rafters right

Five steps, four hours, one window, zero mess

Grafting the right foundation onto a house that's neither square nor level

Whether you prefer coil nailers or stick nailers, it's a buyer's market. Two seasoned builders sort through 30 models and find new favorites.

These simple site-built beams are the backbone of the house, so make sure you build them straight and set them level

Proper framing for bearing and nonbearing walls

Despite the obstacles, converting that dark, scary place into comfortable living space is much cheaper than adding on

A nailing flange makes installation quick and easy; but pay attention to the details, or you'll never get the windows open

All 12 of these versatile saws crosscut, bevel and miter; which one should you buy?

They're as common on job sites as circular saws, but if you're not using your pneumatic nailer properly, maybe you should stick with your hammer

They hold up the house, hold back the earth and keep out the water. If they're not level and square, you may end up custom-cutting every rafter.

Fill up a trench with concrete -- what's to know? If a house is going to stand on those little sidewalks, they'd better be straight, level and correctly placed.

If you do the layout carefully and precut all the joists, the floor will go together quickly like a giant jigsaw puzzle

Forget the mess of roll roofing -- for flat or low-slope roofs, EPDM membranes are the way to go

How a seasoned crew uses a story pole and an efficient work sequence to install this traditional siding

Whether you're building a new house or remodeling an old one, engineered lumber can give you squeak-free floors with fewer callbacks

When properly detailed, high-tech wrappings can reduce the flow of air into outside walls while allowing moisture to escape

Keep the numbered trusses in order, and entire hip sections can be assembled on the ground and lifted as single units

Careful preparation and wise use of a crane can allow a good-size roof to be framed and sheathed in a day

If you assume the foundation is accurate, you may end up custom cutting each rafter and fussing with every miter in your trim

A method for laying out stair stringers using a construction calculator