Issue 221
Features
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Finish Stairs With Finesse
Carefully planned skirts and a couple of tricks make trimming stairs an easier job, no matter how bad the framing.
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2 Ideas for Custom Railings
Site-built deck rails use unconventional materials to preserve the view.
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A Crown-Mold Concrete Mantel
A stock crown profile and quarter-round form the mold for an inexpensive and unique fireplace surround.
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Creating a Curved Concrete Walkway
Form, pour, and stamp a concrete sidewalk for an inviting path to any front door.
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Torture Test: Sanding Disks
Hook-and-loop sanding disks are disposable items, but we separate the performers from the throwaways.
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Built for Foul Weather
A new home on the Oregon coast blends reclaimed materials with durable details.
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Tool Test: Top-Handle Jigsaws
The best of these pro-level tools should be equally suited to heavy, aggressive cuts and delicate, detailed curves.
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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.
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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.
Article
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What's the Difference: Concrete Hand Floats
Wood, resin, aluminum, or magnesium?
What is the Difference
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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…
Building Skills
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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…
Master Carpenter
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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…
Drawing Board
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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…
Energy Smart Details
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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.