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Issue 225

On the Cover

Member Only

A Built-In Corner Seating Nook

Plywood boxes assemble into an elegant, comfortable kitchen bench with storage.

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The Magazine

Restore a Wood Entry Door

Let the wood shine through with a marine-grade finish that's sure to last.
Torture Test: Spade Bits and Beyond

We take traditional spades and their modern competitors for a spin.
Tile Backerboard Options

Before you begin tiling, make sure that you've chosen the right substrate.
How it Works: Roof Trusses

The roofs on most new houses in the United States are built with trusses. In this "How It Works" column, structural engineer Rob Munach explains how trusses carry their loads…

Article

Linking Logs

When asked to combine two historic log structures into a weekend retreat, David Haresign of Bonstra Haresign Architects wasn’t sure how to put together the puzzle. Still, he welcomed the…
Tool Test: Sidewinder Circular Saws

The best saws combine speed, visibility, and a guard that opens in any cutting position.
Foam Shrinks, and Other Lessons

What we learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.
Framing Tricky Truss Roofs

Speed productions with trusses made for hips and valleys.
A Watershed Moment

The winner of the 2011 Solar Decathlon offers an educated glimpse at tomorrow's environmentally sensitive, energy-smart homes.

What is the Difference

What's the Difference: Liquid solvents

Petroleum-based Go to the solvents section of a hardware store or home center to look for paint thinner, and you may be confused by the choices. Solvents that are great…

Building Skills

Outfitting a Tool Belt

For new carpenters, choosing a tool belt is the first step in being job-site ready. The next step is more difficult: choosing the tools to outfit the belt. In this…

Master Carpenter

French Polish for a Showpiece Handrail

In this "Master Carpenter" column, architectural finisher and furniture restorer Peter Gedrys explains the process he used for applying a French polish to a set of mahogany handrails. He began…

Drawing Board

Comfortable Dining Nooks

Once you settle on the location, focus on providing maximum comfort to the users

Energy Smart Details

Air-Sealing a Basement

Although the attic floor is the most important place in a house to air-seal, it's also important to air-seal the basement. In this "Energy-Smart Details" column, senior editor Martin Holladay…

Tailgate

Tailgate: Bill Smithers, Builder

The chief of CB/USA is working to organize the nation’s largest co-op for independent builders.

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