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Issue 221

On the Cover

Spray Foam for the Rest of Us

When the insulating task is small, a do-it-yourself spray-foam kit may be your best option.

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Features

  • Finish Stairs With Finesse

    Carefully planned skirts and a couple of tricks make trimming stairs an easier job, no matter how bad the framing.

  • 2 Ideas for Custom Railings

    Site-built deck rails use unconventional materials to preserve the view.

  • concrete fireplace mantel
    A Crown-Mold Concrete Mantel

    A stock crown profile and quarter-round form the mold for an inexpensive and unique fireplace surround.

  • Creating a Curved Concrete Walkway

    Form, pour, and stamp a concrete sidewalk for an inviting path to any front door.

  • Torture Test: Sanding Disks

    Hook-and-loop sanding disks are disposable items, but we separate the performers from the throwaways.

  • Built for Foul Weather

    A new home on the Oregon coast blends reclaimed materials with durable details.

Article

  • Tool Test: Top-Handle Jigsaws

    The best of these pro-level tools should be equally suited to heavy, aggressive cuts and delicate, detailed curves.

  • How it Works: Fiberglass-Batt Insulation

    While fiberglass batts continue to be a widely used form of insulation, they don't always perform to their rated R-value.

  • illustration of roof venting
    A Crash Course in Roof Venting

    Building scientist Joseph Lstiburek explains when to vent your roof, when not to, and how to execute each common roof-venting approach successfully.

What is the Difference

  • What's the Difference: Concrete Hand Floats

    Wood, resin, aluminum, or magnesium?

Building Skills

  • Broom-Finished Concrete Flat Work

    Get tips for forming, pouring, and finishing a concrete slab, patio, or walkway with a textured, non-slip broom finish.

Master Carpenter

  • coffered ceiling
    Tips for a Coffered Ceiling

    Cover up an old ceiling with beams and new drywall

Drawing Board

  • Taking Oriels to a New Level

    Use these cantilevered bay windows to enhance the second floor of a home, both outside and in.

Energy Smart Details

  • Airtight Window Installations

    Seal all air leaks between the wall and the window frame for an airtight barrier.

Tailgate

  • Tailgate: Ben Cichowski, Video Host

    The host of WxTV is one member of a Montana team bringing weatherization and energy-efficiency lessons to your desktop.

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Makeup air for venting appliances
  • What's the Difference Between Shakes and Shingles?

Readers Tips

  • Simplified Measurements
  • Versatile, Inexpensive Concrete Forms
  • Floorboard Glue Injection
  • Window-trim alignment block
  • Simplify Ceiling-Strapping Installation

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy

Fine Homebuilding

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