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Issue 276 – July 2018

On the Cover

How to Install an Electrical Subpanel

A neatly wired electrical panel is safer and easier to troubleshoot.

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Features

  • person wiring an electrical subpanel neatly

    How to Wire an Instagram-Worthy Electrical Subpanel

    Neatness counts, both for impressing clients and for future service.

  • Siding to Last a Lifetime

    Rainscreen details that improve the durability of any lap-siding installation.

  • Good-Looking, Long-Lasting Lap Siding

    Clever details and flawless installation means this rainscreen wall assembly will weather the biggest storms.

  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #276 Online Highlights

    Digital exclusives: video, construction business tips, podcasts, and architectural photos.

  • All You Need Is a Track Saw

    Learn how to break down plywood and other sheet goods ­efficiently and ­accurately without a tablesaw.

  • How to Break Down Plywood With a Track Saw

    Follow this step-by-step sequence for cutting sheet goods to accurate sizes, all without a tablesaw.

    Article

  • Vent Flashing Done Right

    Back up roof vent boots with flashing, counterflashing, and proper shingling to prevent leaks.

  • retrofit permaboot

    A Guide to Better Boot Flashings

    Use a better plumbing vent pipe boot flashing to last the lifetime of a new roof.

  • Back Up Your Vent Pipe Flashing

    Use flashing tape and additional underlayment to backstop your flashing boot.

  • small home in Oregon

    Small Home in Eastern Oregon Suits Its Site

    This compact, panelized home takes its design inspiration from the vast Western landscape and local building traditions.

  • How to Make a Small House Work

    With a 960-sq.-ft. footprint, this building’s tall ceilings, interlinked spaces, and long vistas across rooms and the outdoors make this compact home feel expansive.

  • Author Jeremy Martin (right) and his business partner, Chris Risher, remodeled this 100-year-old fishing lodge into a modern home, working to budget home construction on time and within 1% of their fixed-price bid.

    How to Budget Home Construction on Target, Every Time

    Bucking industry norms, these ­builders stay on budget with up-front, fixed ­pricing on every new home and remodel.

  • The bidding process for home construction can be improved with pre-construction planning and an architect/builder partnership.

    Better Bidding for Residential Construction and Remodeling

    Why “cost-plus” builders should consider getting to a firm price faster.

  • This tankless water heater has hose clamps for connecting the combustion-air and flue-gas piping to the top of the water heater.

    How to Install a Tankless Water Heater

    Pluses include endless hot water and a compact design, but the ­installation means a lot of pipes in a small space.

  • Floating shelves have a modern, seamless look. This article explains how to create floating shelves from 3/4-in. rift-sawn white-oak plywood, from cutting the mitered corners, to glue up, to installation. The author puts extra emphasis on the finishing touches—wire brushing, light sanding, and touch-ups.

    Floating Shelves Made Strong and Simple

    These grain-matched, mitered floating shelves slide onto a cleat for easy installation and a clean, modern look.

    Tools & Materials

  • More ­Horses for Colt Routers

    There’s a new Bosch Colt on the market, and its variable-speed, soft-start motor has been beefed up.

  • DeWalt’s 60v Saw Is Not Quite Ready for Production Framing

    A very nice piece of gear that would serve many carpenters well. But not in a production-framing environment.

  • Perfect Pencil

    I’m always just a quick spin away from having a sharp point.

  • Killer Construction App

    Builder’s Helper has all the features I need and at $15, it’s less expensive than a construction calculator.

  • Covercraft’s Carhartt Custom Duck Weave Seat Covers Offer Fair Price, Stout Protection

    Protect your car from job-site grime with these bib overalls for your truck.

  • DeWalt Self-Leveling Rotary Level Features an Easily Seen Laser

    Easy being green: The DW079LG is rated with an indoor-visibility range of 250 ft. and a detector range of 2000 ft.

    Project Gallery

  • Project Gallery: Special Spaces

    A third-floor sauna, a curved eyebrow dormer home office, and a jungle gym above a garage.

    Musings of an Energy Nerd

  • New Homes: 9 Things You Don’t Need, and 5 You Do

    As construction materials and building-science principles evolve, the details we include in our new homes have to too.

    Building Skills

  • Hand-Nailing Tricks

    Building Skills: Tips for better driving and for a finished look.

  • Building Skills Video: Tips for Hand-Nailing

    A carpenter shows tricks of the trade to keep hand-driven nails from bending and wood from splitting.

    Design/Build

  • shed dormers

    Shed Dormers, Explained

    Here are some guidelines for getting your shed dormers right.

    Keep Craft Alive

  • Keep Craft Alive: Jon Day, Restoration Carpenter

    "I take jobs that a normal contractor looks at and says, ‘Oh, gee … I’m not sure.’ "

More? View Past Issues

    Ask the Experts

  • Flashing for Old Windows

  • Solid Fastening for Kitchen Cabinets

  • Cracked Foundation

  • Retrofitting Foam Insulation on a Roof

    Readers Tips

  • Drywall Patch for Wall Anchors

  • Paired Chalklines

  • Long-Reach Stapler

  • Keep Your Air Tools Clean

  • Easy Ellipses … Mostly

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 297 - February/March 2021

    • Foundations for Success
    • Staircase Renovation
    • Ditch the Hose
  • Issue 296 - Dec 2020/Jan 2021

    • Insulating Glass Keeps Getting Better
    • Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb
    • Making Sense of Minisplits
  • Issue 295 - Kitchens & Baths

    • Condo Kitchen Reimagined
    • Row-House Remodel
    • Rise of the IAQ Monitor
  • Issue 294 - Oct/Nov 2020

    • Schoolhouse Reimagined
    • Tool Test: Folding Sawhorses
    • A Better Way to Build Tall Walls
  • Issue 293 - Aug/Sept 2020

    • A Practical Guide to Fall Protection
    • Installing Frameless Cabinets
    • Make Any Tablesaw Safer

Fine Homebuilding

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