Issue 212

How it Works: Building Loads

You need to understand the forces that a house frame must withstand before you start framing.

The Rotproof Porch

Water management is the key to keeping a porch standing for decades.
Heat-Pump Water Heaters

A new breed of water heater uses time-proven heat-pump technology to cut energy consumption in half.
Recovery Remodeling

20 practical improvements that will pay off—personally and financially—when the market bounces back.
Spray or Brush?

Consider prep time, conditions, and cleanup to determine the fastest way to tackle an exterior paint job.
The Ever-Evolving House

On a steep slope in the Blue Ridge Mountains, an architect delivers a family retreat for every stage of life.
Hinge Jigs

Not every door is prehung, so we evaluated nine single-hinge and full-length-hinge router templates to choose the best.

Start Your Railing Right

Fasten posts for a deck railing you can lean on for years to come.
Built-ins, Anywhere

Outfit a mudroom with functional storage that looks good enough for any room in the house.
Multimedia Wiring

With this step-by-step guide, you can make telephone, Internet, video, and audio connections anywhere in the house.
Q&A: The EPA's New Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule

Remodeling work in most pre-1978 homes is now subject to new lead-safety regulations established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Any remodeling work that disturbs painted surfaces must now comply…