FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Issue 229 – Aug/Sept 2012

On the Cover

A New Floor Plan Saves an Old House

An architect shares his strategies for remodeling small old houses to fit modern lifestyles

Subscribe

The Magazine

  • Subscribe
  • Renew Subscription
  • Gift Subscription
  • Online Membership
  • Magazine Index
  • View Past Issues
  • View the Digital Edition Archive
  • Contact Customer Service
  • Author Guidelines
  • Advertise

Features

  • Tool Test: Compact Compressors

    Small, quiet, and lightweight, these air compressors handle a bit of everything.

  • How it Works: Air-Conditioner Efficiency

    Because air-conditioning systems typically are sized to keep a home cool on the hottest days of the year, they waste energy most of the time.

  • Starter House

    A playhouse destined for the dumpster gets transformed with salvaged materials.

  • How to Hang Airtight Drywall

    Drywall can stop air leaks when it's installed with caulk, foam, and adhesive.

  • Weaving Wood and Tile Into a Stunning Floor

    A field of slate squares is captured by a dadoed grid of reclaimed pine.

  • fast accurate floor sheathing
    Fast, Accurate Floor Sheathing

    Working together, a four-person crew finishes a subfloor in an hour.

Article

  • What's Cool in Air Conditioning?

    Understanding the technology behind today's systems improves your chances of installing the right one

  • temporary jobsite power setup
    Temporary Power on the Job Site

    Whether you’re an electrical contractor, a builder, or a homeowner, there are a variety of ways to provide safe, code-compliant temporary power for your project.

What is the Difference

  • What's the Difference: Latex, Nitrile, and Vinyl Disposable Gloves

    Latex, nitrile, and vinyl Disposable gloves aren’t just for medical and food-service professionals. They also offer some protection from grease, paint, spray foam, solvents, caulk, and other products used in…

  • Nonmetallic Sheathed Cable

    Learn the basics about this common style of house-wiring cable.

Building Skills

  • Prep and Glue Plastic Fittings

    Avoid these common mistakes with PVC and ABS connections to prevent clogs and leaks from developing.

Drawing Board

  • How to Design an Entry Sequence

    Illustrated ideas for creating curb appeal for 5 popular styles of homes.

Energy Smart Details

  • Windows and Doors in Double-Stud Walls

    Minnesota architect Rachel Wagner shares tips for making window and door details attractive, functional, and easy to install when building a home with thick, well-insulated walls.

Tailgate

  • RESTORATION
    Interview: Greg Law, Restoration Specialist

    Bringing historic houses back to their prime is just one challenge for this National Park Service preservationist.

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Cure for a Leaky Stone Foundation

Readers Tips

  • Modifying the Framing in Lath-and-Plaster Walls
  • Dust Control for Remodels
  • Tool-Bag Fastener Management
  • Modified Screw Bit Saves the Day
  • Improved Nail Puller
  • Frame a Top-Plate Ladder
  • Flexible Caulk-Tube Tip

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

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

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

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.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in