Issue 258 – April/May 2016
Features
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How to Install a Minisplit
What you need to know about choosing a minisplit heat pump and ensuring that it’s set up correctly
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The Art and Science of Building Garden Gates
A father and son share their secrets to crafting beautiful and long-lasting custom gates: proper wood, proven joinery, and durable hardware.
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Stronger, Smarter Deck Stairs
The ideal stair stringers balance strength, durability, and ease of assembly.
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Brick Fixes
Afraid to tackle cracked bricks? Dye some mortar for a durable and invisible repair.
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Build a Budget-Friendly Shed
Affordably get ample storage space and classic styling by using simple construction details and traditional materials.
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Critical Deck Connections
Take a close look at the forces at work on a deck and the hardware designed to keep things in check.
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Tool Test: SawStop's Portable Tablesaw
We test the new finger-saving tablesaw from SawStop.
Article
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An Elegant Addition
The design for this two-story addition began as a casual conversation at a Super Bowl party between architect Edwin Heinle and the homeowner, who mentioned that she was thinking of…
Finishing Touches
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What's the Difference: Utility-Knife Blades
At a work site, utility knives are as common as hammers. And like hammers, despite their inherent simplicity, they have evolved over the years. Yet even as these knives have…
What is the Difference
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Placing a Small Concrete Slab
Although the amount of concrete that's required is small, a landing for a deck stairway or, in this case, a pad for a propane tank requires nearly the same forming…
Building Skills
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Traditional Sheds
The first structure I ever built, not counting tree houses, was a shed. It served its function but was too small, oddly tall, and narrow, and I never put it…
Drawing Board
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How it Works: Simple Wood Beams
Beams, defined as elongated members that are loaded perpendicular to their long axis, are critical to the structure of a house.
How it Works
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Little House on the Ferry
Good things come in threes. There is a total of 890 sq. ft. of living space in the three cabins. The largest cabin measures 16 ft. by 26 ft. and…
Project Gallery
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Two Ways to Insulate an Old Cape
Older Cape Cod–style homes may be charming, but they are often poorly insulated. Most have second-floor bedrooms with 4-ft. kneewalls against the sloped ceilings. This creates triangular attic spaces behind…
Energy Smart Details
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Charles King Sadler, Landscape Designer
This owner of King Garden Designs in New York’s Westchester County is also a certified arborist.
