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Issue 125

On the Cover

Updating the New England Shingle Style

A steep roof gives the exterior an angular, dramatic shape; traditional materials keep the house grounded

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Features

  • A Safe Way to Clean Gutters

    A leaf blower modified with off-the-shelf parts makes quick work of a tedious rite of autumn

  • Sizing Gutter Systems

    A three-step approach helps you calculate the best size for your house

  • Poured-in-Place Concrete Countertops

    Getting a durable kitchen work surface starts with careful form work and the right concrete.

  • Fixes for Damp, Moldy Houses

    Drying the foundation and sealing air leaks make houses durable and healthy.

  • A Pair of Built-in Hutches

    Faced with spaces that weren't close to square, this carpenter judiciously applied trim and careful scribing to hide the worst of it.

  • Survey of Sliding Compound-Miter Saws

    All 12 of these versatile saws crosscut, bevel and miter; which one should you buy?

Article

  • All About Rain Gutters

    Whether aluminum, copper, steel or plastic, gutters need good design and proper installation to put roof runoff where it belongs.

  • Draining Gutter Runoff

    Once the water's gone down the downspout, inexpensive plastic pipes carry it away from the house.

  • Hanging a Wall Railing

    Get it at the right height and make sure it's fastened to the framing; someone's life may depend on it.

  • Wiring Stoves and Dryers

    Code now requires a four-slot receptacle to provide both 120 volts and 240 volts.

Letters

  • Reader Feedback: Issue 125, August/September 1999

    Readers take issue with “Taking Issue” I can almost hear the primitive grunts of approval over Barbara Flanagan’s essay, grossly titled “For millennial man, tools rule” (FHB #123, “Taking Issue,”…

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Standard-efficiency gas appliances vented into masonry chimneys
  • Wheelchair-accessible shower pan
  • Insulating a balloon-frame house

Readers Tips

  • Cutting Rigid Insulation
  • Stud-cutting bench
  • Storing screw-gun bits
  • Safe rain-gutter cleaning
  • More on shingling from the top down
  • Finding Space in a Small Bathroom

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

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