In every issue you'll find...

Expert insights on techniques and principles
Unbiased tool reviews
Step-by-step details to master the job
Field-tested advice and know-how

Join
Log In

Issue 227 – HOUSES 2012

On the Cover

Santa Cruz Straw Bale

Net-zero-energy use and whimsical details shine in a new family home

The Magazine

From a Leaky Old House to a Tight New Home

A young couple retrofits the house next door as an investment in deep energy savings
Carriage-House Comeback

An 800-sq.-ft. backyard cottage exemplifies the benefits of downsizing and reveals a new housing opportunity
Zero Energy, at Last

The sun lends a big hand to this efficient home in the North Carolina mountains
A House for All Ages

An energy-efficient modern-day farmhouse offers single-floor living wrapped in low-maintenance, charming detail
Designed for Its Place & Time

At the top of his game, architect Obie Bowman orchestrates his signature materials and details into a contemporary retirement house
What is Building Science?

Few people understand it. Nobody agrees what it is, how to learn about it, or who's responsible for it. It has never been more important

Article

A Practical Approach to Passive House

An architect's "best work to date" is a super-efficient home that you could build.
Building a Healthy House

For a chemically sensitive homeowner, a cleaner indoor environment meant focusing on six key concepts.

What is the Difference

What's the Difference: Designs for Accessibility

Accessible design, universal design, and aging-in-place design
What's the Difference: Window-Shading Options

Solar screens, exterior blinds, shutters, and awnings

Drawing Board

Design an Integral Porch

Explore four types of integral porches

Fixtures and Materials

Alternative to Pressure-Treated Decking

Perennial Wood decking from Eastma Manufactured by Eastman 800-530-7495; www.perennialwood.com Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tenn., has been making acetic anhydride for years. In the 1930s, the company used…
Foam Forms for Concrete Caps

Rigid-foam wall-cap forms from Stegmeier Manufactured by Stegmeier 800-382-5430; www.stegmeier.com Cost: $130 to $150 for a box of 10 8-ft.-long pieces; $140 for a box of 10 spring-steel clamps Stegmeier…
Low-Profile Ventilation for Tiled Roofs

Tiled roof vents from O'Hangin Manufactured by O'Hangin 800-394-3864; www.ohaginvent.com Cost: $30 In a market dominated by asphalt-shingled roofs with intake vents at the soffits and exhaust vents at the…
Seamless Receptacles

Receptacles from Bocci Manufactured by Bocci 815-741-9768; www.bocci.ca/collection Cost: $50 to $75 Bocci 22 electrical components install flush with finished-wall materials, eliminating conventional cover plates for switches, receptacles,…
Lighting: Beyond the Basics

Manufactured by Eleek 815-741-9768; www.eleekinc.com If you’re in the market for ersatz colonial wall sconces or run-of-the-mill pendant lights, you can probably skip the Eleek catalog. If your tastes run…
A Quiet Garage-Door Opener

Garage openers from Sommer Manufactured by Sommer 877-766-6607; www.sommer-usa.com Cost: $350 to $450 Standard garage-door openers have a fixed motor that powers a belt or chain to open and close…

Design Gallery

HOUSES 2012 Guest Judges' Favorites

When reviewing the submissions we received for this year’s awards issue, each of our five guest judges discovered a compelling project that didn’t quite fit as a category winner. We…

Tailgate

Tailgate: Cameron Sinclair, Advocate

The founder of Architecture for Humanity is working to improve lives through socially conscious design

More? View Past Issues

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Membership & Magazine

Taunton Network

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

In every issue you'll find...

Issue 227 – HOUSES 2012

On the Cover

The Magazine

Features

Article

What is the Difference

Drawing Board

Fixtures and Materials

Design Gallery

Tailgate

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Membership & Magazine

Taunton Network

Main Menu

Account

Popular Topics

Magazine

All Access

Shop the Store

More

Account

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Follow

Join All Access

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.