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Issue 253 – Aug/Sept 2015

On the Cover

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

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Features

  • 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.

  • outdoor shower diagram
    Enhance Your Life With an Outdoor Shower

    Here’s what you need to know to get the plumbing and site work right, as well as some inspiration for your own outdoor shower.

  • men side by side fitting window frame
    10 Tips for Fast Trim

    Improve the speed and quality of your next trim job with better layout, assembly, and installation.

Article

  • 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

  • Drinking-Water Filtration Systems

    Learn about 4 different ways to filter out contaminants from drinking water.

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
    Well-Proportioned Trim

    Getting trim proportions right doesn’t take an experienced designer. All it takes is consideration and use of a few time-tested guidelines.

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

    Learn how to choose and install the best insulation for several types of basement walls (but fix water-entry problems first).

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Watertight Window Flashing
  • Radon mitigation with interior perimeter drains?
  • One bathroom fan or two?
  • Encapsulating framing in spray foam

Readers Tips

  • A Better Doorway Seal
  • Setting Tile with a Caulk Gun
  • Don't Let Blisters Slow You Down
  • Drill Holder for Ladders
  • Baseboard Scarf Joint
  • A Simple Trick Straightens Threads

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

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