Issue 306 – April/May 2022

Whether you're looking for a backup energy system for your whole house or you just need enough for the essentials, find out which storage systems are out there and what will work best for you.

As electric vehicles become more popular, learn what options you have for using them to charge your home.

A willingness to collaborate has helped Elizabeth Disalvo and her architectural firm to offer lower-cost energy-efficient pre-desgned prefab homes.

In a society in which building mentors may be hard to find, Kevin Ireton offers advice for how to go about doing the hard part of building.

This decking line claims less maintenance, more woodgrain patterns, cooler surfaces, and a reduced environmental impact.

Two sliding-door kits from Johnson Hardware let you close off big doorways when you need privacy and make sets of doors disappear into the wall when you don’t.

GAF Energy’s new line of nailable solar shingles collect solar energy while protecting the roof.

Construction that emphasizes sustainability and livability while keeping to a tight budget is foundational to this mining-town community.

Used mainly as a multigenerational entertaining space, this 17th-century barn with reclaimed materials retains an old feel while including modern features.

An exposed steel and Douglas-fir beamed ceiling creates an ideal environment for music performances.

This model from California Air Tools may be the last air compressor you'll ever need to buy.

This tool can from Scribner can be extremely efficient for everything from laying out stairs or rafters, or for finding the rake angle of a 150-year-old staircase.

Learn why carpenter Dejah Leger would recommend these Keen Dover boots to other tradeswomen.

Could a single top plate do the job, allowing for reduced thermal bridging and an increased R-value? Learn about top-plate building codes.

This is the easiest way to bring a receptacle flush with the drywall. Discover how to fix crooked work boxes, here.

This design can be adapted for any router by changing the spacing and rod diameter.

It can be hard or impossible to fit an entire roll of electrical tape in a tight place. Learn how to get tape in tight places.

With a slotted drive shaft rotary hammer/hammer drill it can be difficult to drill accurate holes. Learn how to get better holes in masonry.

Here is a precise way to make long rips on vinyl siding that only requires a simple ripping guide.

If you live in an older home, you likely deal or have dealt with squeaky floors here and there. Learn how to prevent squeaky floor joists.

If you can never clean a brush to your own satisfaction, check out this tip.

Find online articles and videos on plumbing projects, deck footings, and more.