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What's the Difference?

21 Common Decisions When Designing or Building a Home

Working on houses is as much about choosing the right tools, materials, and construction details as it is about using them.

Every day, builders, architects, homeowners, and any other people who work on houses have to make a plethora of decisions to get their jobs done. Some of those choices are merely personal preferences, while others can make or break a job. Fine Homebuilding has compared the popular options for many of these conundrums in our articles and videos over the years, and we’ve compiled some common ones here to help you make the right choices before starting your next project.

  • 1
    horizontal vs vertical sheathing
    The Horizontal vs. Vertical Sheathing Debate

    Does the direction you install plywood on a wood-framed wall affect how strong it is?

  • 2
    Circular Saws: Sidewinder vs. Worm-Drive

    Learn the key differences between these two styles of power saws to decide which type you should buy.

  • How-To 3
    wiring sketches
    Electrical Outlets: Upside-Down or Right-Side-Up?

    Master electrician Rex Cauldwell offers some insight into the controversial topic of which way you should orient wall receptacles when wiring a circuit in a house.

  • How-To 4
    Plywood vs. OSB

    New-generation panels mean decade-old notions are no way to choose sheathing. Here's what you need to know.

  • Tools & Materials 5
    What’s the Difference: Paper and Fiberglass Mesh Drywall Tape

    You can use either tape, but each one has advantages in specific situations.

  • Design 6
    deck vs. patio
    Patio vs. Deck Throwdown

    Two Fine Homebuilding editors face off on the pros and cons of these popular exterior spaces.

  • Tools & Materials 7
    What’s the Difference: Phillips vs. Pozidriv Bits

    Despite their similar appearance, these two systems are not interchangeable

  • Tools & Materials 8
    titanium vs steel hammer
    What’s the Difference: Titanium Hammers vs. Steel Hammers

    It turns out that the hype surrounding titanium has value.

  • How-To 9
    Horizontal vs. Vertical Drywall
    Horizontal vs. Vertical Drywall: Which is Best?

    Hanging drywall horizontally does place seams at a more convenient height for finishing, resulting in better work, but that’s only part of the story.

  • Tools & Materials 10
    Tough Choice: Double-Pane vs. Triple-Pane Windows

    For ProHOME, the double-pane choice met the net-zero target — and the cost savings paid for a PV solar array.

  • Design 11
    Epoxy vs. Cement Grout

    Learn how to choose between stronger and more expensive epoxy and traditional, easy-to-apply cement-based grout.

  • How-To 12
    rafters vs. trusses
    Rafters vs. Trusses

    Compare the pros and cons of the two basic options for framing a roof.

  • Tools & Materials 13
    What’s the Difference: Is PVA, polyurethane, or CA glue right for my project?

    All 3 of these common types of adhesives have a place in home building, but each is better for specific uses.

  • Design 14
    Design vs. Style

    A Red Diamond Achiever Awards judge offers his thoughts on how to critique a home.

  • How-To 15
    open cell versus closed cell foam
    Open-Cell vs. Closed-Cell Foam Insulation

    Learn in which applications it's best to go with closed-cell insulation.

  • Tools & Materials 16
    What’s the Difference: Linoleum vs. Vinyl

    If you’re looking for inexpensive flooring, especially in a potentially wet area such as a kitchen or bathroom, you’re probably going to consider linoleum and vinyl

  • Tools & Materials 17
    Sanded vs. Unsanded Grout

    Which of these two common styles of grout you use on your tile job is typically based on the width of the joints between tiles.

  • Design 18
    Exterior Paint vs. Solid-Body Stains
    What’s the Difference: Exterior Paint vs. Solid-Body Stains

    While they both protect wood from the elements, there are significant differences between the latex paints and stains made for siding, fences, and other outdoor surfaces.

  • Tools & Materials 19
    shakes and shingles
    What’s the Difference Between Shakes and Shingles?

    Size and manufacturing processes are the main distinguishing characteristics of these two popular siding materials.

  • Tools & Materials 20
    What’s the Difference: Fine-Finish Sanders: Orbital vs. Random Orbit

    Learn what sets these two types of finishing tools apart so you choose the right sander for your next project.

  • Tools & Materials 21
    What’s the Difference: Whole-House Fans vs. Powered Ventilators

    We regularly receive emails at Green Building Advisor from homeowners with questions about attic fans: What’s the purpose of the fan in my attic? How often should I run it?…

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  • Issue 318 - October 2023
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