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Issue 254 – Oct/Nov 2015

A forced-air heating system isn’t as scary as it seems.

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A Weatherproof Window Installation

Layers of redundant flashing and sealant ensure that the most expensive part of your house is also the best protected.
Mineral Wool Makes a Comeback

This natural spun-stone insulation is enjoying a resurgence in popularity—and for good reason.
Air-Sealing Basics

Look high and low to find and plug air leaks that cost you money and comfort.
Trouble-Free Toilets

The floor, flange, and sealant can mean the difference between success and failure.
All-Around Efficient

Pairing a proven net-zero strategy with conscious material choices.
Tool Test: Track Saws

These versatile tools make fast, precise cuts and weigh a lot less than your tablesaw.

Where Concrete is King

In the summer of 2012, Andrey Rudenko began toying with the idea of creating a 3D printer capable of constructing homes. An experienced contractor with a background in engineering and…

Hammer-Action Drills vs. Rotary Hammers: What is the Difference?

There are times when a conventional drill just won’t get the job done. For example, when you’re installing a deck ledger against a concrete foundation and need to drill lots…
What's the Difference: Phillips vs. Pozidriv Bits

Despite their similar appearance, these two systems are not interchangeable

Installing a Big Beam

Remodelers frequently have to replace a bearing wall with a large beam. The challenge is weight, but senior editor Andy Engel shows here how to install the beam one ply…

Laundry Closet Design Ideas

Designer Mike Maines details 3 types of well-designed laundry closets that make the most of a compact space.

Mudroom's the Name, Organizing's the Aim

We all have things that we drag in and out of our homes just about every day: coats, purses, mail, shoes, sports equipment, books, backpacks. Without a mudroom—that dedicated space…

Lstiburek’s Ideal Double-Stud Wall

Joe Lstiburek is principal of Building Science Corporation and a contributing editor to Fine Homebuilding. In this "Energy-Smart Details" article, energy consultant Allison A. Bailes III writes about Lstiburek's design…

Tailgate: Katherine Boorman, Designer

This operations director for the firm OneButton specializes in making technology an unobtrusive part of home design.

Drain-Waste-Vent Systems

Although hidden behind walls and in floors and ceilings, the pipes that make up a house’s drain-waste vent system are the balance of the plumbing equation.