Issue 221

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.

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.
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.

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.
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's the Difference: Concrete Hand Floats

Wood, resin, aluminum, or magnesium?

Broom-Finished Concrete Flat Work

Concrete work -- especially outdoor projects such as sidewalks -- requires a series of finishing steps after the concrete is mixed and placed in the forms. First, the concrete is…

Tips for a Coffered Ceiling

As part of an extensive renovation project, veteran carpenters Don Carlson and Bill Broome installed a coffered ceiling in an enclosed sunporch. Their first challenge was dealing with the original…

Taking Oriels to a New Level

Oriels, or bay windows that cantilever or hang from a wall, provide both outdoor and indoor benefits. Outdoors, they add character and flair to a home's exterior. Indoors, they provide…

Airtight Window Installations

Installing a window is tricky. The first challenge is to do a good job with the flashing and water-management details. But once the window is fastened to the wall, you’re…

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.