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  Third-Party Blower Door Test Pays Off

  December 11, 2018

  Verifying high-performance house metrics under California's Title 24 earns some rebates from the utility company.

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  Podcast Episode 148: Siding Woes, Life-Changing Tools, and Newbie Home Builders

  December 7, 2018

  The Fine Homebuilding editors contemplate listener questions about cladding choices, sheathing layout, and wall-framing techniques.

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  10 Great Gift Ideas for People Who Love Tools

  November 21, 2018

  With the holiday season upon us, what better time to make a list of tools you wish you had? In this special episode of Tool Tech, host Patrick McCombe gives you his best bets for giving and getting.

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  A Nod to Greek Revival-Style Architecture (1825–1860)

  December 12, 2018

  Jimmy Crisp attests to the staying power of this prevalent 19th-century Neoclassical style.

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  Video: Sharpening on the Go

  July 10, 2018

  Building Skills video: Watch this durable, portable, and affordable sharpening method that’s ideal for remodelers.

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  Easy Shingle Cutting With a Pneumatic Cutter

  October 31, 2018

  Hand-held pneumatic roofing cutters make fast, easy work of what is typically a frustrating, knuckle-scraping job.

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  Understanding and Preventing Ice Dams

  December 4, 2018

  Stop winter ice and water damage before it starts.

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  Why I Build: Graeme Clohosey

  October 26, 2018

  A master painter and business owner talks about how and why he constantly raises the level of quality he expects from himself and his crew.

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  Purging Air in Hydronic Heating Lines

  November 9, 2018

  After adding new sections of baseboard to a heating system, how to you bleed air from the boiler?

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  In Love with Longleaf

  November 9, 2018

  Builder Scott McBride reminisces about discovering the wonderful qualities of longleaf pine while salvaging lumber from barns on an old estate.

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  The (Often Painful) Evolution of Residential Fire Sprinklers

  October 26, 2018

  Get an understanding of 3 unique sprinkler systems designed to meet building codes, to maintain healthy domestic water, and ultimately to help save lives.

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  Is Using Closed-Cell Foam Worth the Trade-Offs?

  November 7, 2018

  This insulation material is popular for its high R-value and good air-sealing and vapor-blocking properties, but cost, health, and environmental concerns cause some builders to have second thoughts.

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  Evening at the Vineyard

  December 11, 2018

  This project strikes a balance between agricultural design references and the warmth of a classic home. The metal water tank (on right) was needed to satisfy fire suppression requirements. The…

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  One Thing You Can Change Today to Improve Your SEO

  December 6, 2018

  Often as contractors, we get caught up in the busyness of life on the job and push our website to the background of our mind. “SEO is too complicated,” or…

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  Fine Homebuilding and Benjamin Moore Award the Best Painters in Home Building

  October 11, 2018

  In partnership with Benjamin Moore, Fine Homebuilding names the winners in our Pro Paint awards contest.

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Other Recent Blog Posts

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  Make a Simple Template to Install Deck-Rail Cables

  December 7, 2018

  Using a jig to install deck cable rail is essential for a fast, accurate layout.

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  Timber Frame Makeover

  December 6, 2018

  Amazing views awaited this makeover!  The original design had conventional height windows which cut off many of the views to the mountains.  All new windows were put in along with…

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  Well Connected

  December 6, 2018

  The sprawling "connected farmstead" was once a common way of building homes and barns in northern New England.

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  A Well Designed Craft Room

  December 6, 2018

  This handsome, spacious and well lit craft room demonstrates both good design and coordination between architect and homeowner. From the large and nicely crafted island in the center of the…

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  Architectural Archeology Informs the Restoration of a Centuries-Old Farmhouse

  December 6, 2018

  The Thomas Massey House illustrates the lengths to which architect John Milner goes to preserve historical buildings.