Fine Homebuilding Issue #195
Houses 2008
Understanding LEED-H Scorecards
Reports from three case studies outline what it takes to achieve LEED for Home's silver, gold, and platinum ratings
Tax Credits for Historic Buildings
Federal and state incentive programs make rehabilitating durable old buildings cost-effective
Real-World Rebuild on a Budget
Resourceful homeowners apply Duo Dickinson's "10 steps to reduce an architect's fees" to rebuild the home they lost in a fire
Smart Massing adds Space and Light
Go inside this lakeside cottage to see how massing influences interior shapes
Storing Solar Heat (coming soon)
Learn how burying glycol-filled PEX tubing in deep sand can store the sun's energy for later use
Common-Sense Design
Architectural designer and creator of Katrina Cottage I, Marianne Cusato, shares her design principles for creating functional, attractive homes
Fine Homebuilding Great Kitchens
Spring/Summer 2008
Kitchen Cabinets and Parts Guide
Sound buying advice and a listing of cabinet box, door, and drawer manufacturers
Planning an Outdoor Kitchen
Design consultant and author Deborah Krasner says homeowners should first assess their needs when planning outdoor spaces
Interview with a Cabinetmaker
Six of the most talented cabinetmakers in the country reveal how they approach their craft
A Narrow Kitchen Opens Up
Increased access and creative cabinetry let a small kitchen live big
Fine Homebuilding Issue #194
April/May 2008
Video: What's Green in Brooklyn?
Tour the IceStone plant, where recycled glass and concrete combine to form green countertops and floors you'd swear were stone
Flashing Replacement Windows
This method prevents future leaks and avoids finger pointing
Video: Math Shortcuts for a Shed
A construction calculator is handy not only for determining pitch angles and rafter lengths but also for reducing waste and planning before the lumber arrives
Video: Miter-Saw Features Roundup
A pro tests the top six 12-in. sliding compound-miter saws and details the positive and negative attributes of each
Finishing a Patio Slab
Function determines if the patio's surface is coarse or smooth
Video: Job-Site Sharpening
A belt sander, two honing stones, and stropping compound are all you need to revive a dull or chipped chisel
Video: Inspecting Old Houses 
In this four-part video series, author, carpenter, and old-house restoration specialist George Nash inspects a 200-year-old house from attic to basement, inside and out
Fine Homebuilding Issue #193
February/March 2008
Video: Custom Knives, Custom Moldings
A tour inside The New England Woodworking Company's millwork shop
High-Performance HVAC Systems
The key is in understanding how your building's systems work together
Videos: Innovative products featured in the PATH Concept Home
Manufacturers explain the benefits of the products in this house
Video: Cutting Fiber Cement with a Circular Saw
For straight cuts, a circular saw with a specialized blade is the tool of choice
Video: Cutting Curves and Holes in Fiber Cement
A scribe, a hole saw, nibblers, and a jigsaw are all good options when anything but a straight cut is required
Video: Cutting Fiber Cement with Shears
Shears make a nice, clean cut while protecting both your material and your lungs
Video: Nail-Removal Tricks
Remove nails the right way to salvage your boards, your hammer and your hands
Audio: Sunny Skies for Solar Energy
Video interviews and product demonstarations captured at the 2007 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C. and at the West Coast Green expo in San Francisco
Audio: An Interview with Henry Cisneros
Minority populations will drive the housing boom and urban renaissance on the horizon
Fine Homebuilding Energy-Smart Homes
Winter 2008
Video: Immersed in SIPs
Watch how structural insulated panels are manufactured
Installing Housewrap
When properly detailed, high-tech wrappings can reduce the flow of air into outside walls while allowing moisture to escape
Video: Video Highlights from West Coast Green 2007
New and notable green products builders, designers and homeowners can get excited about
Video: Highlights from the Solar Decathlon
Fine Homebuilding editors present video interviews and product demonstrations
Fine Homebuilding Issue #192
December 2007/January 2008
Video: Worm-Drive Saw Master Class
From plunge cuts to drop cuts, learn how to use the weight of a worm-drive saw to your advantage
Beneath the Surface at Montpelier
An inside look at the restoration of a house that made history
Book Excerpt: A Gallery of Unique Fireplaces
Deconstructing fire bricks and ingelnooks, plus Rumford, Irori and Kiva fireplaces explained
Video: Fine-Tuning Hinges
Incremental adjustments do the trick
Plans: Extending a Tablesaw's Worksurface
An infeed support arm and outfeed table improve extra reach and stability
Boosting Tankless Water Heaters
A solar water heater and radiant-floor heat maximize efficiency
Greener by Design
Faced with strict historic building guidelines, an architect gets clever to stay green
Fit New Sashes in Old Jambs
A primer on fitting plumb rails into crooked jambs
Fine Homebuilding Issue #191
Kitchens & Baths 2007
A Bento-Box Bath
A cast-in-place concrete soaking tub is the centerpiece of this Japanese-inspired bath
A Decisive Bathroom Remodel
A quick bathroom makeover turns into a total gut job for one of Fine Homebuilding's Breaktimers
Video: Build a Breakfast Booth
A 14-part step-by-step video tutorial on building the bench
Souped-Up Stock Cabinets
Standard boxes plus stock moldings can transform any kitchen from dull and dreary to dazzling and delightful
Fine Homebuilding Issue #190
October/November 2007
Quick Tips for Better Stair Building
A master stairbuilder shares five simple techniques that greatly improve staircase construction
Downloadable Plan for a Knockdown Router Table
A detailed, scalable parts drawing serves as the blueprint for your own router table
Concrete Countertops, Up Close
A primer on building three-part forms for custom installations
A Volunteer's Gulf Coast Journal
A contractor shares his experiences helping to rebuild a Katrina-ravaged community
Video: Using a Sheet Brake
A professional roofer demonstrates ways to use a stationary brake
Sanding Stands Add Versatility to Belt Sanders
Sanding stand attachments turn a mobile tool into a benchtop workstation
Sanding Frames for Belt Sanders
These add-on accessories keep sanders flat to prevent ugly gouges
Additional Kitchen Cabinet Sources
Sound buying advice and a listing of cabinet box, door, and drawer manufacturers
Finishing a Masterpiece
Learn how a stone carver transformed a massive soapstone fireplace surround from its raw, hand-carved state to a deep, smooth, ebony finish
Fine Homebuilding Weekend Projects Around the House
Fall 2007
Restoring Window Sashes
Yes, they're worth fixing. Those old windows were built better (and from better wood) than anything you can buy today.
Lead-Paint Safety, at Home and on the Job
Whether you're remodeling an older home or just living in one, the paint must be treated with respect, especially if young children are involved
Repairing Drywall
Techniques for fixing everything from popped screws to big holes
Fine Homebuilding Issue #189
August/September 2007
Interview with a Cabinetmaker
Six skilled artisans talk about their craft
Additions Need Not Apply
Before and after photos of the McCoy/Judge ranch remodel
Video: Factory-Framed Floors
Watch Millard Lumber’s floor panel assembly line and an installation at the PATH Concept Home
More Miter-Saw-Stands-Reviewed
Here’s a look at seven additional stands not included in the print article
Video: Miter-Saw-Stand Madness
Mike Guertin explains the classes of miter-saw stands and demonstrates their benefits.
Video: Repair a Garbage Disposal Safely
Learn how to clear a jammed garbage disposal and replace the unit properly
Video: Build a Cutting Gauge
Fine Homebuilding Issue #188
June/July 2007
How to Shape Stone with a Chisel and Hammer
Breaking stones is more of an art than a game of chance
Video: Circular-Saw Tune-Up
Extend the life of your circular saw with simple cleaning and maintenance
Video: Replacing a Circular-Saw Switch and Cord
A tool pro demonstrates a common circular saw repair
How Giant Clamshells Form
A slideshow details the construction of a masterfully crafted Rhode Island entry
Video: A Visit to a Shingling Recycling Factory
How a Connecticut recycler keeps old shingles out of the landfill
Video: Immersed in SIPs
Tour a SIP manufacturing facility in Vermont
Blog: John Ross chronicles SIP building
Fine Homebuilding Issue #187
Houses 2007
A Closer Look: Colonial Roots, Fresh Approach
Additional views of carvings and daylighting strategies
A Closer Look: Seduced by the Shingle Style
More cozy interior spaces and dynamic exterior details
Video: Maximizing a Small Space Homeowner Tour
A homeowner takes you on a guided tour of her big little backyard house
Video: Maximizing a Small Space Architect Tour
Take an architect-guided tour of the big little backyard house
A Closer Look: At Home on a Hilltop
Additional views of the hilltop, the house, and its built-in details
A Closer Look: Growing Family, Growing Bungalow
More ideas for combining traditional Craftsman-style details with modern design and materials
Video: Building Codes for a Small Planet
An argument for principles that moderate the negative impacts of construction and development
Video: Great Gates for Any House
Watch gate maker Julian Hodges carve a quatrefoil
Fine Homebuilding Home Makeover Ideas
Summer 2007
The Perfect Master Bath
An architect's advice on turning a good bath into a great bath -- without breaking the bank
Classical Proportions Make Attractive Trim
Greek and Roman orders of architecture can help establish molding size and placement
Five Kitchen Design Solutions (opens in new window)
Take an interactive look at how to solve some tricky -- but common -- kitchen-design challenges
A Victorian Re-imagined (opens in new window)
Greek and Roman orders of architecture can help establish molding size and placement
Fine Homebuilding Issue #186
April/May 2007
Weatherproofing Dormers
Flashing dormers using peel-and-stick "bowties"
Installing Precast Concrete Foundation Wall Panels Set on Gravel Footings
So easy, even a carpenter can do it
Mantel Drawings: a 3-D Animation
A free 3D drawing tool helps visualize difficult projects before you make your first cut
Video: Mixing Concrete in a Wheelbarrow
A simple wheelbarrow, a stiff rake, and a reliable process transform the task of mixing concrete from backbreaker to no-brainer
Inside the Hobbit House
A photo tour of a modern-day cottage based on mythical literature
Fine Homebuilding Issue #185
February/March 2007
Get the Right Replacement Windows (pdf)
They're a big investment with a big potential payoff. Here's what you need to know about types, warranties, comfort, and installation.
Green Building Resources
Learn more about sustainable building from the listings below
Video: Slate Roofing and Repair Techniques
A skilled installer shows how to work with slate tiles
Blog: Building the PATH Concept Home
An insider's look at a public-private partnership in Omaha, NE which promotes the advancement of technology in housing
Fine Homebuilding Issue #184
December 2006/January 2007
Laser Levels: Manufacturers
A list of links to view the tools and their specs
Fine Homebuilding Issue #183
Kitchens & Baths 2006
More Fixtures & Materials
Three new and noteworthy products for kitchen and bath
Kitchen Islands -- More Solutions, More Photos
Masterfully tailored to their spaces, these kitchen workstations designed by Johnny Grey show how to combine utility with panache
Kitchens & Baths 2006: Manufacturers
Links to manufacturers' Web sites mentioned in Fine Homebuilding's Kitchens & Baths 2006 issue
Hot-Water Recirculation
Discuss hot-water recirculation with a master plumber and an energy specialist
Fine Homebuilding Issue #182
October/November 2006
Laminate-Flooring Manufacturers and Links to Online Retailers
A list of links to view products and see specs
Fine Homebuilding Issue #181
August/September 2006
Video: Back Brushing
Learn how to even out the coverage as you spray
Video: Exterior Masking
A few minutes of work before you paint can save hours of cleanup later
More on Old Wiring
Specialty testers and code issues
Fine Homebuilding Issue #180
June/July 2006
Video: PEX Water-Pipe Connections
Leakproof joints are made faster than soldering
Video: Using a Crosscut Sled
A crosscut sled not only increases the safety of working with a tablesaw, but also enhances the versatility of the tool itself
Fine Homebuilding Issue #178
April/May 2006
Video: Using a Rotary Floor Machine
Creating and maintaining a decorative concrete floor requires a rotary floor machine -- here's how to use one
A List of Air-Compressor Manufacturers
Browse the Web sites of air compressor manufacturers to look for a model that suits your needs and budget
Fine Homebuilding Issue #177
February/March 2006
Video: Making a Story Stick
A story stick can save time and minimize measuring mistakes during cabinet construction
Video: Stone Veneering
You can make a plain-looking wall into a great-looking rock wall by veneering it with fieldstone
Fine Homebuilding Issue #174
October/November 2005
Fine Homebuildingz Turns 25
We've got an anniversary coming, and we're looking for reminiscences from authors and readers about the magazine and what it has meant to them
Fine Homebuilding Issue #170
April/May 2005
Framing a Staircase
34 steps to building cut-stringer stairs
Fine Homebuilding Issue #169
February/March 2005
Video: Bend Sheet Metal without a Brake
Save money on small jobs by using hinged 2x4s
Video: Homemade Pan Flashing
Protect the subfloor from rot by directing errant water, from leaks, out and away from the building
Video: Cutting Long Stock on Sawhorses
It might seem counter-intuitive, but keep the horses close together
More on Old Wiring
Specialty testers and code issues
Fine Homebuilding Issue #168
December 2004/January 2005
Video: Electrical Lockout/Tagout
Cut the power at the circuit box, and keep it off, before starting any electrical work
Video: Checking Clearance for Recessed Lighting
Don't cut the hole unless you know there's enough room for the fixture
Video: Long Electrical Runs in Closed Walls
Long drill bits eliminate the need to punch holes in plaster or drywall when fishing cable behind closed walls
Rain-Screen Walls: A Better Way to Install Siding
Spacing the siding away from the housewrap promotes ventilation and drainage for long-lasting siding and paint
What's Your Favorite Tool for $20 or Less?
See issue #168 for the editors' choices; post your own favorites on Breaktime
Fine Homebuilding Issue #166
October/November 2004
Raising a 12x16 Timber Frame
A parts list and a close look as timbers come together as a structure
Counter Act
A belt sander will be your best friend when fitting factory-made laminate countertops to wavy walls
More Painting Tips
A painting pro answers common questions
Fine Homebuilding Issue #165
August/September 2004
Video: Three Router Bits for a Handsome Transom
Routers equipped with a slot cutter, a rabbeting bit, and a roundover bit do the work of costly shapers
Fine Homebuilding Issue #164
June/July 2004
Video: Taping Drywall Seams
Create perfect walls with minimal mess, effort, and frustration
Fine Homebuilding Issue #161
February/March 2004
Video: Using a Water Level
All you really need are a length of plastic tubing and a bucket of water
Video: Tape-Measure Tips
Not all tapes are created equal, so here are some pointers for making accurate measurements
Fine Homebuilding Issue #160
December 2003/January 2004
Installing a Leakproof Shower Pan
A thick mortar bed over a vinyl membrane makes a sturdy base for tile, but it pays to test for leaks
Framing a Bay-Window Roof
It's only a small hip roof, but its 45° corners befuddle many carpenters. Drawing bay roofs out full scale is key to fast and accurate framing.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #159
Kitchens & Baths Annual Issue - Winter 2003
QuickTime Virtual Tours
Take a peek inside three spectacular kitchens and a bath
Fine Homebuilding Issue #157
August/September 2003
Video: Using a Builder's Level
Find the high spots by comparing measurements taken at different points along the foundation
An Online Construction Diary
Architect Tina Govan posts a virtual progress report for traveling clients
SawStop Revisited
SawStop inventor launches own line of safety-minded table saws
Fine Homebuilding Issue #156
June/July 2003
Plugging into the Sun
Solar electricity was always a good idea. Is it finally affordable? Use this photovoltaic economic calculator to find out.
Finishing Hardwood Floors
A professional takes the fear out of sanding and shows how to get great results with waterborne finishes
An Online Construction Diary
Architect Tina Govan posts a virtual progress report for traveling clients
Fine Homebuilding Issue #154
April/May 2003
Vinyl Siding Done Right
If vinyl's final, you'd best get the details right. A veteran builder shows how to make it water-resistant and attractive.
Installing Vinyl-Clad Windows
A nailing flange makes installation quick and easy; but pay attention to the details, or you'll never get the windows open
Video: Cutting Plywood without a Tablesaw
Jigs can turn an ordinary circular saw into an accurate cutting tool
Fine Homebuilding Issue #153
February/March 2003
Understanding Cordless-Tool Batteries
Misused batteries die young. Replacements are costly. Here's how to get the longest life from your batteries.
Video: Making Treehouses for Kids in Wheelchairs
Vermont group creates treehouses for wheelchair-bound kids
Video: Painting Tips from a Pro: Make a Cut Bucket
Loading the brush is easier and less messy with a rimless paint container
Video: Painting Tips from a Pro: How to Cut In in a Straight Line
Painting along an edge requires a drier brush and a steady hand
Fine Homebuilding Issue #152
December 2002/January 2003
Choosing and Using a Miter Saw
These indispensable tools come in many shapes and sizes; here's how to get the most from them
Video: "Upside Down and Backward" Still Works Best for Crown Molding
A simple jig and a couple of pattern blocks reduce the risk of cutting at the wrong angle
Video: Preparing the Valley of a Roof for Shingling
Proper preparation goes a long way toward preventing leaks
Fine Homebuilding Issue #151
Kitchens & Baths Annual Issue - Winter 2002
Expanded Source List for Kitchen Flooring
Links to makers of laminates, wood , bamboo, palm, rubber, stainless steel, cork, vinyl, linoleum, tile, and stone flooring
Fine Homebuilding Issue #150
October/November 2002
Video: Proper Care and Fitting of Respirators for Lead Dust Protection
Workers need more than paper masks when lead dust starts flying
Sizing an Electrical Service
Although a 200-amp service is adequate for most residences, calculating the actual load is a good idea. This chart from Code Check Electrical can help you with your calculations.
Fine Homebuilding Issue #149
August/September 2002
Video: Using a Skid-Steer Loader
Grading a driveway with one of these machines saves a lot of time, but much of the work is done in reverse
Video: Setting Up the Knockdown Shop
A precision shop can be set up in less than five minutes
No Carpenters Were Harmed in the Making of This Article
Executive editor Andy Engel explains the pros and cons of using a mock job site for a photo shoot
Fine Homebuilding Issue #148
June/July 2002
Video: Cordless Impact Drivers
If all you've ever used for driving screws is a cordless drill/driver, try one of these lightweight powerhouses and you'll never go back
Why Exterior Finishes Fail
Government scientists explain why paint cracks, blisters and peels on your house, and how you can prevent it
Video: Cut a Radius in Ceramic Tile with a Wet Saw
Although wet saws cut only straight lines, they still can be used to cut a radius
Fine Homebuilding Issue #146
April/May 2002
Spend a little time measuring and striking lines, and the rest is fairly easy
Video: "Upside Down and Backward" Still Works Best for Crown Molding
A simple jig and a couple of pattern blocks reduce the risk of cutting at the wrong angle
Fine Homebuilding Issue #145
February/March 2002
Video: A Quiet House on a Noisy Street
22,000 cars a day presented a design challenge that creativity and zoning variances surmounted
Fine Homebuilding Issue #144
December 2001/January 2002
Video: Distribute Hardwood Flooring before Nailing
Rack the boards and make installation a smoother operation
Video: Three Ways to Mount an Electrical Box in a Tight Spot
With limited space to swing a hammer, there are still ways to install the box securely
Dedicated Collets vs. Collets with Inserts
One type is easier to use; the other is easier to lose
Fine Homebuilding Issue #142
October 2001/November 2001
Video: Creating a Home Workplace
Design ideas and nuts-and-bolts information you need if you're thinking of working from home
Video: Stop Ceiling-Fan Blade Wobble
Using the balancing clip is a tedious job, but necessary when all else fails
Fine Homebuilding Issue #140
June/July 2001
Video: Hand Signals for Cranes
Getting the crane to do what you need is as simple as pointing your finger
Fine Homebuilding Issue #139
HOUSES Spring/Summer 2001
