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Issue 253 – August/September 2015

On the Cover

Member Only

Refinish Your Wood Floors

Uncover the beauty in old hardwood flooring with a little patience and some great professional advice.

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The Magazine

Fixing Common Gutter Blunders

Design and install gutters as if they prevent damp foundations, peeling paint, and mold—because they do.
A New Face for an Old Cape

An architect applies a modern mountain vibe to a New England icon.
Designing for Durability

An updated HUD guide demonstrates that a durable house is also a dry house.
Today's Best Exterior Trim

A veteran carpenter sorts through 10 of the latest engineered options.

Article

Enhance Your Life With an Outdoor Shower

After a weekend of plumbing, site work, and carpentry, you can wash up in your handiwork.
Ten Tips for Fast Trim

Improve the speed and quality of your next trim job with better layout, assembly, and installation.
Get the Most from Your Multitool

Even if you’ve had an oscillating tool for years, you may not be using it to its full potential.

Finishing Touches

Glass in the Garden

What was originally planned as a modest three-season porch evolved into this striking 36-ft. by 18-ft. four-season pavilion. Some of the 8-ft.-high floor-to-ceiling walls of glass open like French doors…

What is the Difference

What is the Difference: Drinking-Water Filtration Systems

Carafe, faucet mounted, undersink, and reverse osmosis

Building Skills

How to Replace a Floorboard

Because of wood flooring's tongue-and-groove joints, removing a damaged board and replacing it isn't intuitive. However, it's not difficult either. In this article, senior editor Andy Engel demonstrates each step…

Drawing Board

Well-Proportioned Trim

Although it started out as a way of covering gaps, interior trim has become an important design element. Unfortunately, many builders and homeowners don't give it much thought. Architect Bud…

How it Works

How it Works: Wood Rot

No wood is completely immune to rot, so it's important to know how it works.

Project Gallery

Project Gallery: The Ranchero

Located in a subalpine meadow in Washington State’s Methow Valley, this 1600-sq.-ft. house was designed by architect Tim Hammer. A four-season vacation home for an active Seattle family, it’s energy…

Tailgate

Tailgate: Colby M. Broadwater III, College President

This retired army officer now leads the American College of the Building Arts, which trains the next generations of craftspeople.

Energy Smart Details

Adding Insulation to Basement Walls

In all but the hottest parts of the United States, basement walls need to be insulated. Insulation can be installed on the exterior or the the interior, but unless you're…

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