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Issue 312 – Dec/Jan

On the Cover

Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws

Portability and on-board power make them appealing, but utility and real-world performance vary by brand.

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Features

  • water management
    Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home

    A remodel aimed at water conservation becomes a case study for resource-efficient whole-house design.

  • cape roofs
    Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams

    Wood-fiber panels, blown cellulose, and a taped air barrier help solve the comfort and ice-dam problems common with Cape-style houses.

  • Duct ­system illustration
    8 Strategies for Effective Ductwork

    The design and installation of a duct system plays a significant role in its overall performance.

  • Design-Build Meeting
    The Many Benefits of Design-Build

    For high-performance builders, this collaborative model is hard to beat.

  • templating techniques
    Templating Techniques for Countertops and Floating Shelves

    Fit finished parts into tricky spaces, with no gaps and no risk.

  • Success With Construction Adhesives
    Choosing The Right Construction Adhesives

    Understanding the different types of adhesive available and when to use each is your best strategy to achieving the strongest, safest, and longest-lasting bonds.

Tips & Techniques

  • cutting around posts
    Fast, Accurate Cuts Around Posts

    A post-sized hole in a scrap deck board serves as a template for installing diagonal decking.

  • Removable Fence for Remodeling Access
    Removable Fence for Remodeling Access

    Concealed-flange joist hangers create a section that can be easily lifted in and out.

  • Longer-Lasting Trailer Decks
    Longer-Lasting Trailer Decks

    Seal the ends of wood deck boards with composite decking for an equipment truck bed that stands up to the elements.

  • Simple Job-Site Recycling
    Simple Job-Site Recycling

    A dedicated setup for recycling aluminum cans keeps the site clean and eco-friendly.

  • Drywall Cutouts With Wiggle Room
    Drywall Cutouts With Wiggle Room

    Cut holes in drywall with a back bevel, then trim the front edges if needed with the sheet in place.

Know the Code

  • vapor-diffusion port
    Water-Vapor Control and the IRC

    The code gives a number of methods for managing water vapor to avoid condensation and rot in building assemblies.

Tools & Gear

  • thermal-imaging camera
    Detect Leaks With This Compact Thermal Imager

    The Pocket 2 from Hikmicro is small and priced affordably to make it easier for anyone to diagnose building-performance issues.

  • coping foot
    Quicker Coped Moldings

    The Collins Coping Foot lets you use nearly any jigsaw to easily cope all kinds of trim and moldings.

  • cordless stapler
    Cordless Stapler for Hard-to-Reach Spaces

    Offering power and portability, the Milwaukee 12v cordless stapler is light enough to use above your head all day and fits just about anywhere you'd want it to.

HOUSES by Design

  • affordable prefab home
    A Modern and Affordable Prefab Home

    Both cost-efficient and lovely to look at, this prototype of a line of prefabricated homes has striking yet economical details.

  • Passive House with traditional style
    At the Juncture of Historic and Passive

    Traditional Cape Cod elements mix with more modern details in an environmentally conscious home.

  • net-zero home design
    Sustainable Home in the Twin Cities

    This net-zero home achieves a low carbon footprint with recycled, inexpensive, and energy-efficient details.

Spec

  • Rendering of a house with various types of James Hardie siding
    Modern Siding From James Hardie

    The Hardie Architectural Collection provides panelized fiber-cement siding and trim options that move beyond woodgrain finishes.

  • Schluter's Primer-U primer being applied
    Prime Substrates for Better Tile Adhesion

    Schluter’s Primer-U enhances adhesion of mortars to hard-to-bond surfaces.

  • White cabinet with vario track lighting system
    Track Lighting for Functional Ambiance in Busy Spaces

    The rail system of the Vario Power Track System provides a flexible lighting solution for cabinets and shelving for a clean aesthetic.

Building Matters

  • author and father-in-law helper
    The Gift of Free Work

    This carpenter's tribute to his late father-in-law describes the pleasure of helping someone else with a building project.

Keep Craft Alive

  • John Stephany
    John Stephany, Remodeling and Construction Instructor

    This teacher spends much of his time advocating for folks of all backgrounds to enter the trades.

Other

  • 312 online extras
    Fine Homebuilding Issue #312 Online Highlights

    Find online articles and videos on

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Nesting Casement Window Handles
  • Setting Bases for Porch Posts
  • How Many Outlets Per Circuit?

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 312 - Dec/Jan
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy
  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept 2022
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs

Fine Homebuilding

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