Jefferson Kolle

Jefferson Kolle has held numerous jobs in his quest to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up, including pearl diver, oil-field roughneck, bail bondsman, carpenter, contractor, editor, and now, freelance writer. He hunts and pecks in his stone-walled basement office, referred to by his loving wife and four children as “the batcave.”

Wood Decking Still Dominates
Twenty years after synthetic decking hit the market, wood still outsells it nearly 2 to 1.
How it Works: Septic Systems
The mechanics of your septic system.
Deck Railing Systems
Manufactured deck railings offer options in metal, composite, vinyl, and capstock.
Splurge-Worthy Bronze Hardware
You may think that adding hand-cast bronze cranks and locks to your perfectly trimmed-out casement windows is overkill. Well, Brad doesn’t need a tuxedo, and Angelina doesn’t need diamond earrings,…
Flak Jacket I-Joists
Flak Jacket I-joists are coated with a proprietary covering that puffs up when flames lick at it
Alternative to Pressure-Treated Decking
Perennial Wood decking from Eastma Manufactured by Eastman 800-530-7495; www.perennialwood.com Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tenn., has been making acetic anhydride for years. In the 1930s, the company used…
Foam Forms for Concrete Caps
Rigid-foam wall-cap forms from Stegmeier Manufactured by Stegmeier 800-382-5430; www.stegmeier.com Cost: $130 to $150 for a box of 10 8-ft.-long pieces; $140 for a box of 10 spring-steel clamps Stegmeier…
Renew your Existing Tub—with Caution
Understand the pros and cons of bathtub-refinishing services.
Tubs for Small Spaces
When a standard 5-ft. tub won't fit the bathroom, consider one of these alternatives.
Tailgate: Rick Fedrizzi, Green Advocate
The president and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council is optimistic about the collaborative future of sustainability, but he would like to see building codes get a little greener.

Page 1 of 3

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Membership & Magazine

Taunton Network

This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.