Rob Yagid

It has meant drought in some parts of the country, and nothing more than low-flow fixtures in others. The fact is, the nation’s growing water crisis is changing the houses we build.

Three forces move air through a house: HVAC equipment, wind, and the stack effect.

We weigh the options with cost, complexity, efficiency, and preservation in mind.

Learn how a tankless hot water heater works and explore more advice for choosing and installing a tankless system

In this "How It Works" article, associate editor Rob Yagid explores the inside of a tankless heater and describes what happens at each step of the heating process.

Time will tell if the new oil-free nailer can compete with long trusted oil nailer.

Learn how a hammer driver works in this in-depth look at variable speed and torque settings, and the three modes of operation: hammer, drill, and drive

Discover the differences between treated-paper drywall vs. fiberglass facings drywall for use in moisture-resistent situations

Discover the difference between propane vs. propylene gas torches for homebuilders, remodelers and plumbers 

Laminated vs. Tempered

Plastic, Steel, or Cast Iron?

What's the Difference: Lead vs. copper

How it works: Understanding the way heat moves through different types of insulation

Smooth, screw, or ring?

Heat-recovery ventilators can keep up to 80% of the energy in exhaust air inside a house, saving conditioned air and the money spent to heat or cool it.

It turns out that the hype surrounding titanium has value

To get the full benefit of this super-insulation, you must understand the difference between open- and closed-cell foams, how they perform, and how they’re installed

To understand the importance of permeable and impermeable products as they relate to the construction of your home, you need to understand how vapor drive works

When deciding between permeable or impermeable pavers, consider the material’s cost, installation demands, and environmental impact

To get good finishing results, you need to understand the two main types of wood stain available and the way they perform

Does price matter, or is a latex caulk by any other name still the same?

Square-notch, U-notch, or V-notch?

Which is best: ball, cartridge, or ceramic-disk valves?

Which is strongerst: plastic anchors, auger anchors, mollies, or toggle bolts?

High-speed steel, black oxide, titanium, or cobalt

With so many models on the market, which one is for you?

Using butyl-based or rubberized asphalt-based depends on temperature, location

Product packaging is the only real way to tell photoelectric and ionization alarms apart

Manufacturers have improved old materials and developed new ones, expanding the potential for new and remodeled kitchens

Understanding painted and anodized finishes

Open cell and closed cell varieties have varying insulating qualities and applications

This concept home shows how smart design, advanced building practices, and modern technologies improve livability and energy performance

The $80 one, of course, but you can do pretty well for $10

Choosing the right bit helps prevent stripping screws

Decifering the acronyms listed on the labels of shoes and boots

Compact fluorescents and light-emitting diodes are energy-efficient alternatives to standard bulbs

Convection, radiant, and forced air models allow work to go on when temperatures get low

HardieBacker, Durock, and DensShield each has characteristics that affect where it can be installed and how tile is placed on it

What do their ratings really mean?

It may be obvious that the filter is crucial. But based on your work, what type do you need?

If this product is environmentally friendly and stronger than sawn lumber, what's not to like?

EPS, polyurethane/polyisocyanurate, and XPS all have the same roots

Why settle for what's left in your chalkline when a variety of colors await your discovery?

Both acrylic and glass blocks transmit light while still providing a measure of privacy

Today's blades are designed to handle a multitude of cuts and materials