Other Materials

These plastic-based barriers help to keep wind and water at bay, but only if you choose the right product and install it correctlyby Fernando Pagés Ruiz

A Toronto architect updates a traditional cottage for his office and adds a modern three-story home, but you'd never know it from the streetby John O'Connor

Commercial components and a convenient floor plan integrate a bath and a walk-through closetby John W. Lindsey

Small, smart, and beautiful, this kitchen makes the most of a modest additionby Deborah Kadas

Whether it's the floor of a big house or a small addition, an accurate layout promotes smooth installationby Jim Anderson

In San Francisco, simple materials artfully arranged doubled the size of this small row houseby Andre Rothblatt

If vinyl’s final, you’d best get the details right. A veteran builder shows how to make it water-resistant and attractive.by Mike Guertin

The bones beneath concrete's muscle, rebar has to be cut, bent and tied properly to do its jobby Howard Stein

by Fred Lugano

Arguably the best protection against wind and rain penetration, two-piece bronze can be finicky to installby Chris Norris

They're the largest and most visible moving parts of your house, but with all the options out there, don't leave the choice up to someone elseby Roe A. Osborn

Fill up a trench with concrete -- what's to know? If a house is going to stand on those little sidewalks, they'd better be straight, level and correctly placed.by Rick Arnold, Mike Guertin

One-piece fixtures are quick to install, but should you buy a gelcoat or an acrylic model?by Scott Gibson

Low-maintenance materials combine with traditional details in a light-filled additionby Didier Ayel

Forget the mess of roll roofing -- for flat or low-slope roofs, EPDM membranes are the way to goby Rick Arnold, Mike Guertin

Think of the ground around the house as the roof that keeps the foundation dryby William B. Rose

Installation details can make the difference between a trouble-free roof and an expensive callbackby Scott McBride

Thermal insulation is changing for the better, becoming more user-friendly and safer for the environmentby Alex Wilson

Laminate-covered substrate produces a bright, clean and washable cabinet at a lower cost than hardwood panelsby Rex Alexander