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Issue 258 – April/May 2016

Make your deck safer and more enjoyable with good lighting.

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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
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.
Stronger, Smarter Deck Stairs

The ideal stair stringers balance strength, durability, and ease of assembly.
Brick Fixes

Afraid to tackle cracked bricks? Dye some mortar for a durable and invisible repair.
Build a Budget-Friendly Shed

Affordably get ample storage space and classic styling by using simple construction details and traditional materials.
Critical Deck Connections

Take a close look at the forces at work on a deck and the hardware designed to keep things in check.

Tool Test: SawStop's Portable Tablesaw

We test the new finger-saving tablesaw from SawStop.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…