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Skills and Techniques

Sizing Up Electrical Cable

March 18, 2019

Choosing the right kind of electrical wire for a circuit in your house depends on how much current it will carry, where it's going, and what local codes require.
Air Barriers Are Essential for a Modern, High-Performance Home

March 15, 2019

Controlling air movement through the walls and ceilings is a key step toward comfort, energy efficiency, and building durability.
Wind-Resistant Roof: Eave-Edge Assembly

March 15, 2019

Damage from a fallen tree gives us an opportunity to see how well the wind-resistant eave-edge assembly is bonded together.
Podcast Episode 168: Should You Share Your Trade Secrets With Other Craftspeople?

March 15, 2019

Today's building pros are more willing to swap stories about their crafts than their predecessors were. Is that good or bad for business?
NWFA is Making Sweeping Changes to Their Wood-Flooring Installation Guidelines

March 14, 2019

The National Wood Flooring Association has been working with experts throughout the construction industry to create a new and better guide to successful flooring installations.
Preparing for Tile

March 13, 2019

Schluter membranes work for waterproofing and uncoupling.
Garbage-Bag Dust Collector for Tablesaw

March 11, 2019

This simple trick for collecting tablesaw discharge dust is a cheap fix for a messy problem, and it makes job-site cleanup a quick and easy task.
Water-Resistive Barriers

March 11, 2019

This water-impermeable layer beneath the siding protects walls from rain and snow, and often functions as a building's air barrier.
High-Performance HVAC

March 7, 2019

Ductless minisplit heat pumps are becoming the go-to choice for heating and cooling in well-insulated, tight houses.
How to Stain Pine

March 6, 2019

The key to an even finish is to start with a coat of polyurethane to seal the surface.