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Issue 237 – Aug/Sept 2013

Take your time with the layout, and the rest of this tiling job is a breeze

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Deck Refinishing

Tips and a foolproof strategy to rescue a rust-stained, weather-beaten deck.
When Ductless Minisplits Make Sense

Easy-install, high-efficiency HVAC is ideal for retrofits and well-insulated new homes
How to Save an Old House

A historic Cape gets a dry basement and an insulation upgrade without losing its traditional character
Reproducing Traditional Moldings

Get period details right with both power and hand tools
Wind-Resistant Framing Techniques

Cost-effective details to help houses weather the storm.
Tool Test: Impact Drivers

Three testers conduct isolated reviews of each brand’s 18v cordless tool

Two Rugged Baths

Inspired by a modern master, these baths with natural, exposed materials embody the spirit of the California coast

The Crib

Drawing inspiration from traditional farm buildings used to store corn, The Crib is architect Jeffery Broadhurst’s award-winning small shelter designed to serve as a weekend cabin, a backyard office, a…

Install a Toilet

In this "Building Skills" article, plumber Mike Lombardi explains his nine-step process for installing a toilet: (1) secure the flange; (2) dry-fit the bowl; (3) caulk the bottom; (4) install…

Detached Garages

Separating the garage from the main house has several benefits: It allows for windows on all four sides of the house, it makes the house seem less bulky, and it …

How it Works: Historic Designations

Properties can be identified as historic at the national, state, or local level. In this "How It Works" article, managing editor Debra Judge Silber looks at each of these designations…

Project Gallery: Break Out of the Indoors!

We may be stuck in the office all day, but that doesn’t stop us from getting a great view of what’s happening outdoors. The photographs posted to the FineHomebuilding.com gallery…

Recessed Can Lights

The chief virtue of recessed can lights is that they are unobtrusive. If you look at a can light with an infrared camera, though, you’ll usually see evidence of air…

Tailgate: Susan Marvin, Window Manufacturer

Keeping a labor force intact was one strategy a family business used to survive the recession by thinking about the future.