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Issue 308 – July 2022

On the Cover

High-Performance Farmhouse

The "pretty good" home was part of a case study on a net-zero community in Cumberland, Maine.

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Features

  • Prevent Problems With Electric In-Floor Heat
    10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat

    Avoid costly mistakes and failure-prone fixes with these in-floor heat best practices for bathrooms.

  • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
    A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs

    Preassembled baluster sections speed construction of this deck-stair guardrail.

  • installing windows
    A Practical Approach to Installing Windows

    This straightforward method focuses on water management, air infiltration, and smooth operation.

  • A white bathroom with a white tub and tangerine accents
    Designing a Bathroom on the Diagonal

    In a small bathroom, a reorganized space yields maximum use along with unexpected opportunities.

  • How to Frame an I-Joist Roof

    Engineered rafters are lighter, straighter, and often have more room for insulation than dimensional lumber.

  • online extras 308
    Fine Homebuilding Issue #308 Online Highlights

    Find online articles and videos on a custom closet rebuild, insulating a basement, and more.

Tips & Techniques

  • install windows flush
    Install Windows Flush

    Use a long screw and a scrap piece of board to help get your windows square and level.

  • reuse spray foam
    Reuse Spray-Foam Cans

    Insert wire inside a spray-foam tube to prevent it from plugging.

  • Organize Tools on the Job

    A plastic bins help you locate your tools easily on the job site.

  • smooth cuts in housewrap
    Make Smooth Cuts in Housewrap

    Create a hassle-free cut starting in the middle of the roll.

  • cutting rigid-foam panels
    Cut Foam with Less Mess

    A toothless blade will minimize cleanup of dust and debris.

  • cleaning paintbrushes
    Boozy Brush Cleaner

    Small bourbon bottles are great for soaking paintbrushes.

Tools & Gear

  • Makita XDS01Z Strokes per minute 0 to 6000 Price $210 (bare tool)
    Cordless Drywall Cut-Out Saw

    Designed for cutting existing drywall, Makita's one-of-a-kind saw is quick, clean, and accurate.

  • the Viking Arm by Massca Products
    Tough and Precise Hand Lift

    The Viking Arm by Massca Products can lift up to 330 lb. and is usefully for a tasks from snapping in flooring to installing doors.

  • Zicron Stud Finder in use
    Accurate Stud Finder

    The Zircon L550 stud finder has three modes for locating interior wall details including studs, joists, electrical wiring, and water lines.

HOUSES by Design

  • House
    Reverent Texas Renovation

    A modern update of a house designed by architect Frank Welch puts an emphasis on the client's love for cooking and entertaining.

  • front of modern house
    Decompartmentalizing a 1940s San Francisco Home

    This modernized remodel in the Bay Area is characterized by open spaces and an abundance of natural light.

  • front of house at dusk with sunset
    Coastal Home That Mimics Nature

    Located in the Pacific Northwest, this home was designed to withstand the climate while also celebrating it.

Building Matters

  • construction cost planning
    Why I Stopped Giving Free Estimates

    How one builder's preconstruction services changed estimating from an overhead burden to a source of earnings.

Keep Craft Alive

  • Andrew Zoellner
    Andrew Zoellner, Executive Director, KCA

    The new head of Keep Craft Alive finds inspiration from the building community he's now acquainted with, looking to not only encourage others to join the trades, but to hold those who are already in committed to the highest of standards.

Spec

  • Blue walls painted with Mylands Bedford Square No. 229 from the Colours of London collection, the perfect palette for picking paint colors.
    The Perfect Palette for Picking Paint Colors

    For your next finishing project, look no further than the Colours of London, a curated collection of 120 colors from Mylands.

  • A white fiberglass door framed by a tree
    Exterior Fiberglass Doors Offer Durability and Customization

    The IWP Aurora Line from Jeld-Wen is completely customizable while still providing that familiar “knock.”

  • The Pivot 6 Slide system adds a giant operable sunroof to the any of Struxure’s Pergola X installations.
    Adaptable Aluminum Pergola for Shade and Sun

    Create a great-looking, long-lasting outdoor room with Struxure’s endlessly customizable Pergola X system.

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Strengthening Notched Floor Joists
  • Can You Add Water to Concrete?
  • Making Sense of Circuit Breaker Test Buttons

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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