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Issue 294 – Oct/Nov 2020

On the Cover

Schoolhouse Reimagined

A builder shares lessons in small-home design for downsizing and living well with less.

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Features

  • Tool Test: Folding Sawhorses

    We put a stable of store-bought sawhorses through their paces to learn which ones work best on the job site.

  • A Better Way to Build Tall Walls

    This method of balloon framing makes constructing gable walls both safe and efficient.

  • Marking Tools for Common Building Materials

    Learn about the best options—pencils, markers, crayons, and more—for writing notes and measurements on a wide variety of construction materials.

  • Working With ZIP R-Sheathing

    There's a lot to like about these insulating panels, and a lot to learn about building with them.

  • Trim Out a Curved Bay
    Trim Out a Curved Bay Window

    Finish carpenter Joseph Laskey shows how to measure, cut, and fit a mix of straight and curved parts to complete this unique interior trim project.

  • Replacing a Basement Door

    Mike Guertin demonstrates the steps for preparing, installing, and flashing long-lasting bulkhead doors.

Article

  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #294 Online Highlights
    Fine Homebuilding Issue #294 Online Highlights

    Find online articles and videos on paintings, wall framing, and more.

Tips & Techniques

  • Better Way to Tarp a Job Site

    A trash can on top of a makeshift mast helps create a durable temporary roof when you need to keep rain out of a construction project.

  • Countersinking With a Spade Bit

    A short piece of rod welded to a spade drill bit keeps the bit centered in the hole.

  • Move Panels Easily

    Create an improvised panel cart with clamps and a dolly.

  • Free Precision Tools

    Find high-quality tools from an unexpected source—your dentist.

  • Digging in Small Spaces

    Remove dirt at a fast pace with this pipe-and-vacuum setup.

  • Cap Caulk Tubes

    All you need is a disposable glove to close up a tube of sealant until the next time you need it.

Know the Code

  • Maximize Insulation in Minimum Headers

    Alternative code-approved header designs for better energy performance.

Tools & Gear

  • High-Quality, Reasonably Priced Testers

    Klein's new line of testers helps you locate the right circuit breaker and verify the voltage of your outlets.

  • Clever Crosscut Adaptor

    Breaking down sheet goods and trimming doors is easier with the GRS-16 Guide Rail Square.

  • Help with Heavy Doors

    These metal skates with locking casters make moving and raising door slabs a breeze.

HOUSES by Design

  • Retrofits for Energy Performance and Design Impact

    These snapshots of one remodel and two new homes showcase several smart energy-efficient details plus lessons learned when trying new design ideas.

  • Optimizing Occupant Comfort

    Natural materials and ecologically sound building practices define this 1600-sq.-ft. timber-frame home.

  • Learning to Live in a Passive House

    A commercial architect's self-built Passive House offers lessons for DIY high-performance design.

Spec

  • Lighting With Industrial Pop

    This warehouse-inspired collection of wall sconces strikes a nice balance between cost and impact.

  • Stylish Self-Stick Wallpaper

    Mayflower Wallpaper's removable wall coverings are custom-tailored to perfectly match your space.

  • architectural beams
    Hollow Reclaimed Pine

    These reclaimed architectural beams offer an attractive way to hide framing, ductwork, wiring, and other mechanical systems.

  • In-Wood Rot Preventer

    When the threat of water is high, use Bor-8 rods to attack rot fungus before it can cause damage.

Building Matters

  • installing solar panel
    Designing for Solar Panels

    Incorporating photovoltaic panels into preconstruction planning can maximize energy efficiency and cost savings.

Keep Craft Alive

  • Keep Craft Alive: Catherine Autio, Master Carpenter

    This carpenter proves that business ownership and project management are not the only career paths for skilled builders.

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Which PEX to Use?
  • Deck Footings in Rocky Ground
  • Refinishing Old Oak
  • Removing Old Insulation
  • Why Do I Have To Separate Grounds and Neutrals?

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy
  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept 2022
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job

Fine Homebuilding

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