Issue 309 – Aug/Sept 2022
Features
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How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
Fernando Pagés Ruiz discusses how he omitted the OSB on this spec home to save money, while still making sure his build had reliable structural quality.
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Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
Keeping out air and water for the long haul requires using seam and flashing tape the right way.
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How to Choose Exterior Paint Colors for a Home
For a timeless exterior aesthetic, consider the home, its surroundings, and your personal style.
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The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Emily Mottram
A Maine architect speaks about Pretty Good House and biophilic design principles that adapt to all climates.
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Paying Homage to a Quintessential Cottage
A heritage property in the Adirondacks maximizes indoor-outdoor living space.
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Fine Homebuilding Issue #309 Online Highlights
Find online articles and videos on building finish and trim carpentry, building homes to withstand storms, and more.
Tips & Techniques
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Keep Vinyl Floor Planks in Line
Fix misaligned flooring seams with the help of hot glue and scrapwood.
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Sturdy Shower Backing
Low-expanding foam at the contact points keep shower-surround panels from flexing under pressure.
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Avoid Rotten Posts
If you have to put a wood post in the ground, bury the uncut, factory-treated end.
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Pipe-Stand Bucket for Plumbing Jobs
Cut two notches in the top of a 5-gal. bucket for a homemade V-head pipe stand with plenty of space for storing fittings and tools.
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Handy Hose Holder
Avoid knots and tangles in an air hose by clamping a metal strut channel to the handle of your air compressor.
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Cleaner Tile Demo
Cardboard boxes lined up with a tiled wall makes demo cleanup quicker and easier.
Know the Code
Tools & Gear
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Cordless Mud Mixer and Drill in One
In addition to mixing compound, mortar, or concrete, the DeWalt cordless mixer/drill is sturdy enough for large-diameter self-feeding bits and hole saws.
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A Durable Yet Affordable Timber-Framing Chisel
Arno's timber-framing chisels offer a quality cutting edge at a low price point.
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Leather Clip-On Tool Pouch
When you only need a few tools for the job, this small holder is more relable than a back pocket.
HOUSES by Design
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Modern House in the Trees
This home includes expanses of glass, including glass floors, that encapsulate tree-canopy views.
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Maintaining Traditional Character on a Narrow Lot
The design team made sure this new-build home maximized the site while fitting in with the historical character of its neighborhood.
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Steel Sheet Piling Supports This House in the Dunes
This seasonal lakehouse retreat sits on top of a bluff with a modern open plan and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Building Matters
Keep Craft Alive
Spec
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Upgrade Your Window Air Conditioner
This AC unit from July comes with all the fixings for a healthful, functional, and good-looking home.
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Designer Kitchen Cabinets on a Budget
This Danish manufacturer has found a way to bring modern, architect-designed cabinetry to the masses.
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Adaptive Rainscreen Siding Clips
This fastening system from Nova USA Wood Products accommodates natural wood siding expansion and contraction.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
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