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Issue 290 – April/May 2020

On the Cover

A Deck Builder's Tool Kit

These specialized products make every phase of deck building easier and more efficient.

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The Magazine

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Features

  • Installing Cedar Shakes
    Installing Cedar Shakes

    Use these modern methods and materials to create a timeless and durable wood roof.

  • Choosing the Right Bagged Concrete Mix
    Choosing the Right Bagged Concrete Mix

    Learn how to choose the best concrete mix for your small masonry projects from dozens of specialized pre-packaged options.

  • Protect Your Outdoor Electrical Outlets

    Get the information you need to select the right weatherproof boxes and covers for your exterior power receptacles.

  • Simple, Elegant Trim for a Shed

    Although clean and unadorned, this revival of a Shaker exterior trim package is more complex than it appears.

  • Books Every Builder Should Own

    This essential reading list by carpenter and historic-preservation expert Brent Hull covers history, how-to, design, and more.

  • Scribing Rails to a Round Column

    Carpenter Maria Klemperer-Johnson shows how to make a router jig to create a smooth transition for this tricky porch-railing connection.

Article

  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #290 Online Highlights
    Fine Homebuilding Issue #290 Online Highlights

    Find online articles and videos on framing, renovations, and more.

Tips & Techniques

  • Copying Moldings

    Use bamboo skewers and corrugated cardboard to make an improvised contour gauge for moldings of any size.

  • On-Board Bit Storage

    Magnets keep driver bits on the tool so they're accessible when you need them.

  • Quiet Your Stairs

    Get rid of squeaks with construction adhesive and closed-cell foam.

  • Hole-Saw Hack

    If the pilot bit is missing or broken, use screws to control the saw.

  • Compressor-Tool Keeper

    Keeping track of tools is made easier with fuel line and cable ties.

Know the Code

  • Man drilling deck footing
    The Complicated Path From Decking to Dirt

    Code expert Glenn Mathewson takes a closer look at the evolving code provisions for deck boards, joists, beams, posts, and foundations.

Tools & Gear

  • multivolt slider
    Metabo's Multivolt Slider

    This Japanese-made sliding miter saw performs exceptionally well for cutting trim and other general finish-carpentry tasks.

  • Top-Notch Metal Connector Nailer

    MAX's SuperLocator metal-connection nailer uses the nail itself to find the holes in framing connectors.

HOUSES by Design

  • Hidden in Plain Sight

    Masking the garage in this historic-district-adjacent home meant creating a traditional entryway centered on the garage windows rather than the front door.

  • Protection from Solar Gain

    This Pennsylvana farmhouse-style home uses sliding-shade screens to allow in daylight without too much heat.

Spec

  • Streamlined Electronic Entry

    The Baldwin Evolved series of keyless door handlesets replaces bulky number pads with a covert, high-tech touch-sensitive lock.

  • Adaptable Recessed Lighting

    Nora Lighting's versatile Iolite line of recessed lights is a step above average can lights with a wide range of designer trim and color options.

  • Steel Garage Storage

    Turn a messy garage into an organized and attractive workshop with NewAge Products' modular cabinets and slatwalls.

  • Easy-Sipping Faucet

    Nasoni's award-winning Fountain Faucet is an elegant way to avoid craning your neck for a sip of water.

As-Built

  • Mechanical Advantages

    Lifting material into the air requires enormous power from tools such as wall jacks, telehandlers, and giant cranes—but these machines come with limitations and safety restrictions.

Keep Craft Alive

  • Keep Craft Alive: Michael Burrey, Preservation-Carpentry Instructor

    Educated in early colonial architecture and period-appropriate design, this instructor of preservation carpentry at the North Bennet Street School is teaching a new generation of craftspeople how to stabilize endangered buildings and recreate historical details.

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Alternative Patio Base
  • Widening Deck Stairs with Composite Materials
  • Raising a Deck

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 330 - April/May
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop
  • Issue 326 - October 2024
    • Paint Behind Strike Plates
    • Conceal Cut Ends
    • Ladder Slip Solution

Fine Home Building

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