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Home-Building Cyclopedia

Get clear explanations of the essential concepts in residential design, construction, and remodeling.

Net-Zero Homes

High-performance features reduce energy consumption, but family habits are everything.
Fiber-Cement Siding: An Attractive Alternative to Wood

This manufactured siding material is more rot resistant and holds paint better than wood siding, but installing it requires a bit more effort.
Net-Metering is How Most Solar-Powered Homes “Store” Electricity

Homeowners who install solar panels can get credit or money from their utility company for the power they send back to the grid if their state has net-metering rules in place.
Choosing Disposable Gloves

The choice depends on what you're handling and how much you're willing to spend.
What Happens When Building Materials Don’t Like Each Other?

Be sure to research compatibility before mixing construction materials, because seemingly innocent pairings of different materials can lead to problems.
Murphy Beds: An Old Idea That Keeps on Kicking

This disappearing piece of bedroom furniture began with a love-struck San Franciscan. Read on for a little history and for helpful resources for building your own hide-away bed.
What Are Passive Houses?

These high-performance building standards and certification guidelines help architects and builders create comfortable, super-energy-efficient houses.
Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless heaters don't take up much room, and they don't waste energy on hot water you're not using.
Don’t Forget the Flashing

Easily overlooked and sometimes installed incorrectly, flashing keeps water out and rot at bay.
Spray-Foam Insulation

Learn about the pros and cons of spray polyurethane foam—a high-performance material found in the walls and roofs of many of today's energy-efficient homes.