Issue 266 – April/May 2017
Features
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A Simple Screened Porch
Inexpensive screen panels combined with cable railings create a clever assembly.
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Stone Walls That Stay Built
A master waller shares how to dry-lay stone walls that hold their ground for centuries.
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Better-Built Wood Railings
Elegant, site-built, rot-resistant railings don’t have to break the bank.
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The Groundwork of Landscape Design
A professional landscape designer offers advice for every phase of the process, from grading to lighting.
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Tool Test: Cordless Sliders
Meet the new class of miter saws ... from big to little, we tested them all.
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Passive House Meets Pueblo
Three projects by a Santa Fe architect demonstrate how well this performance standard and the Southwest style work together.
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A Field Guide for Prefab Railing
Manufactured deck railings are fast to assemble and look great.
Article
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Much More Than a Magazine
Website, podcast, demo house, and #KeepCraftAlive — and more to come.
Commentary
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IBS 2017: Simpson Strong-Tie Outdoor Accents Metal Connectors
Get the look of reinforced timber frame construction with Simpson.
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IBS 2017: Lapolla Spray Foam
This new insulation product is eco-friendly.
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IBS 2017: FastenMaster FrameFast Structural Framing System
Framing system looks to eliminate hurricane ties.
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IBS 2017: 3M Cubitron II Grinding Disc
This new ceramic abrasive really is mind-blowing in its speed and durability.
Tools & Materials
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Project Gallery: Backyard Bliss
Be inspired by six examples of entertaining outdoor spaces, for parties of six or 60.
Project Gallery
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Should I Replace My Old Windows?
Energy Nerd: The cost to make and transport new windows vs better efficiency.
Musings of an Energy Nerd
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Repairing Rot With Epoxy
Use these versatile materials, simple tools, and straightforward steps to revive damaged exterior trim details.
Building Skills
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Making a Room Under a Deck
A remodel can create an inviting, usable living space under the deck.
Drawing Board
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Keep Craft Alive: Brian Post, Waller
“The stones in a wall are trying their hardest to get to the center of the earth … it’s a waller’s job to defy that.”
Keep Craft Alive
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Finishing Touch: Essence of the Earth
This wall, incorporating 250 tons of stone, features colorful stone mosaics, a 4-ton granite boulder, and large columns of basalt that were formed from rapidly cooling lava flows.
