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Home-Building Cyclopedia

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

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.
Rigid-Foam Insulation

This versatile building material is a key component in most energy-efficient new homes and remodeling projects.
Deciphering Local Building Codes

These construction rules are meant to protect homeowners from harm; just make sure you're using the right ones.
Heat-Pump Water Heaters

Higher efficiencies than electric-resistance heaters will save money, but upfront costs are higher.