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Issue 310 – October 2022

On the Cover

Choosing a Tile-Leveling System

The best levelers are easy to insert and tighten without tools, apply enough pressure to keep adjacent tiles level, and break away cleanly when the thinset cures.

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Features

  • High-Performance Whole-House Ventilation
    Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs

    Understand which type of whole-house heat-recovery ventilation system will create an efficient and healthy home, depending on certain environmental factors.

  • Built-Ins Made Easy
    Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy

    A standardized approach, quick-to-install hardware, and a simplified design make building custom casework cost-effective.

  • Cottage House
    Downsizing to a Cottage for Aging in Place

    By subdividing this property, a family was able to build a smaller and more accessible cottage for aging in place.

  • installing prehung exterior doors
    Step-by-Step Install Prehung Exterior Doors

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

  • scribing
    Perfect Scribing for 5 Types of Tasks

    Tools and techniques for tight-fitting trim.

  • online extras
    Fine Homebuilding Issue #310 Online Highlights

    Find online articles and videos on building wildfire-resistant homes, PVC siding, and more.

Tools & Gear

  • paint scraper
    Dust-Free Paint Scraper

    Despite its hollow plastic construction, this scraper is hefty enough to bite into layers of old paint and has a built-in vacuum attachment for easy cleanup.

  • festool domino
    Festool's Domino: Worth the Dough?

    The hefty pricetag of this small power tool is justified by its utility.

  • Ridgid R4241 Corded 10-in. Sliding Miter Saw
    Compact Compound Slider

    This 10-in. miter saw has an articulating arm for cutting stock upright against the fence.

Tips & Techniques

  • tool for inserts
    Custom-Made Tool for Inserts

    Create an installation tool that works well with only two nuts, a washer, and a full-thread bolt.

  • locate top and bottom plates
    Locate Top and Bottom Plates for Wiring

    Use this trick to find into which stud bay you need to drill a hole to run a wire for a new switch or outlet.

  • odd trim angles
    Measure Odd Trim Angles

    An angled piece of scrap can help get fast and consistent measurements.

  • Avoid Sound Transfer by Isolating Electrical Gang Boxes

    Isolating electrical gang boxes can make a difference when it comes to sound transfer between rooms that share a wall.

  • Soak Your Paint Brushes for an Easier Clean

    Using a cleaning solution before painting can make cleanup easier when you're done.

  • label circuit panels
    Why You Should Label Circuit Panels

    Mark new electrical junction boxes on the metal cover to avoid making several trips back and forth from the box to the panel.

  • chuck key holder
    Chuck-Key Holder

    A magnet glued to the side of your drill press creates a handy place to hold a chuck key.

Know the Code

  • fence
    Code-Compliant Swimming Pool Barrier

    Swimming pool owners are responsible for ensuring a code-compliant barrier exists to prevent children from the potential fatality of entering unsupervised.

HOUSES by Design

  • Remodeling A Low-Maintenance Bungalow

    This Cape renovation involved lifting the entire structure onto a new solid foundation with helical piles.

  • person looking out windows
    Updating a Cabin for Energy Efficiency

    A 1970s kit house in Northern Minnesota is remodeled for year-round use with expansive glazing and exterior insulation.

  • outside of house
    High Ceilings in the Hills

    Designed with inspiration from locations in Europe and on the East and West Coasts, this custom home encapsulates openness and airiness.

Spec

  • A man carrying insulated sheathing on a job site
    Sheathing and Insulation in One

    NovaCore Thermal Insulated Sheathing from LP could make wall assemblies simpler by combining OSB sheathing with XPS insulation.

  • Product shot and application shot of VELUX sun tunnel in a home.
    Get Sunlight Where You Want It With Solar Tubes

    VELUX’s sun tunnels help you bring natural light into rooms where windows are not an option.

  • Solar panels on metal roof at sunset
    Nearly Invisible Solar Panels for Standing-Seam Metal Roofs

    The PowerFit 20 from Sunflare provides green energy, an easy installation option for metal roofs, and an improved aesthetic.

Building Matters

  • 2D drawing of a house and roof framing
    Are 2D Drawings Obsolete for Home Building?

    Using 3D modeling software instead of 2D drawings to share all the details of a home's construction avoids misunderstandings.

Keep Craft Alive

  • Tom Bodett
    Tom Bodett, Co-Founder, HatchSpace

    Known for his broadcasting and writing career, this carpenter and furniture-maker founded a nonprofit woodworking school.

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Splicing Deck Joists Over a Beam
  • How to Avoid Sloped Stringers on Deck Stairs
  • Can You Paint Electrical Panels?

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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