Issue 301 – Aug/Sept 2021
Features
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All About Garage Doors
Buyers have a wide range of options for architectural style, material, and price.
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Footing Retrofit in a Day
Using helical piers to add footings to an old house is faster, less disruptive, and comparable in cost to excavating and pouring concrete.
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Must-Have Concrete Tools
Keep all of these tools on hand when working on any slab, foundation wall, patio, or other concrete project for better, faster results.
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Framing an Open-Plan Saltbox
Structural stability can be a problem when the load-bearing partition is removed.
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Energy-Smart by Design
Building orientation, passive-solar design, and a radiant-barrier roof are key to energy efficiency in a hot-humid climate.
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Fine Homebuilding Issue #301 Online Highlights
Find online articles and videos on deck framing, durable roof assemblies, new insulation materials, and more.
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Stripped-Screw Fix
Chopsticks work just as well as dowel scraps for filling stripped and oversized screw holes.
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How to Stop a Drill Bit From Slipping on Tile
Get a diamond drill bit started on porcelain tile using plexiglass and a twist bit.
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Face Shield and Hearing Protection
Zip ties secure earmuffs to a face shield for combination eye and ear protection you can make at home.
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DIY Dump Truck
Use plywood resting on tennis balls to slide trash and other loads out of a truck bed.
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Simple Way to Raise New Walls
Two builders framing a wall on the floor need to get a lift before placing it—a couple of blocks makes it easy to get the right handholds.
Tips & Techniques
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Smart, Tough Worklights
Three industrial worklights by Unilite offer varying levels of water, dust, and impact protection.
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Deburring Tool
Attach this chamfering tool to a power drill and easily shave down the outer edges of a bolt, pipe, or rod.
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Superior Sander
Good dust collection and a comfortable weight and balance make this Festool random-orbital sander worth its hefty pricetag.
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Book Review: Builder
In Mark Q. Kerson's book of interviews, a collection of 28 builders share valuable building and life experiences.
Tools & Gear
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Modern Remodel in a Traditional Neighborhood
This bungalow renovation fulfilled the requirements of its historic district while incorporating a decidedly modern perspective.
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Gazebo Grows Up
A freestanding, two-level gazebo addition complements the architecture and scale of this Cape Cod home.
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Small Prefab With a Big Impact
This predesigned solution for an accessory dwelling unit has a contemporary and spacious interior that belies its small size.
HOUSES by Design
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Refrigerators Can Look Good, Too
Bespoke refrigerators from Samsung cater to your design aesthetic with flexible colors and combinations.
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Modular Modern Cladding System
Terracade ceramic tiles offer a host of benefits over traditional siding materials, including low maintenance, fire protection, and an integral rainscreen assembly.
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Ready-Made Stainless Shower Pan
The Stainless Steel Shower Base from Infinity Drain removes the need for a rubber membrane to achieve a watertight shower floor.
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Mess-Free Seal for Plumbing Penetrations
Innerlynx EPDM mechanical seals come in nearly any size and make it easy to waterproof where pipes pass through concrete foundations.
Spec
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When Will We See the End of Soaring Lumber Prices?
Rising demand, mill closures, Covid, and a Canadian insect problem all help push prices upward.
Building Matters
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Flashing a Round Window
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Flattening a Wall
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Working Around Live Wires
