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Issue 217

On the Cover

Troubleshooting a Prehung Door Installation

If you know where things go wrong, you can install a door that will swing the way it’s meant to for years to come.

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Features

  • head to head pocket hole jig
    Pocket-Hole Jigs

    Porter-Cable enters a category that has long been dominated by Kreg, but is their new jig an improvement?

  • Contractor’s Guide: Retrofitting a Foundation

    Lift the house safely with massive beams and get the proper subs involved to ensure the new foundation will last.

  • Managing Job-Site Mud

    Keep the sludge off the street and out of the water.

  • Heating Options for a Small Home

    A conventional furnace is overkill in a small, well-insulated house. Here are some better options.

  • Why Flash and Batt Makes Sense

    Closed-cell spray foam and fiberglass batts can be used together to maximize performance and minimize cost.

  • Tool Test: Stud Finders and Wall Scanners

    These tools can provide invaluable information, but don’t bet your job on what they tell you.

Article

  • Taming an Outdated Pantry

    Clever design ideas and construction techniques for outfitting an awkward space with useful kitchen storage.

  • Designing for Privacy and Views

    In a dense neighborhood, a small, modern home embraces a secluded outdoor space.

  • How it Works: Wall Scanners

    Associate editor Rob Yagid explains how wall scanners detect wood and metal studs, live electrical wires, and ferrous and nonferrous metals.

What is the Difference

  • What's the Difference: Duct Tape

    Polypropylene vs. Butyl

Building Skills

  • Sharpening 101

    Sharp tools make carpentry easier and safer, and they produce better results. Associate editor Patrick McCombe provides step-by-step instructions for sharpening chisels using diamond stones, a combination-grit water stone, and…

Master Carpenter

  • Framing the Bell Curve

    Framing the bell-shaped roof of a small, square historic building posed some interesting challenges.

Drawing Board

  • Better Bathroom Storage

    Learn several creative strategies for increasing storage space while also maximizing floor space in any bathroom.

Energy Smart Details

  • Window Shading

    These energy smart details will help you build water-tight shading roofs for windows.

Tailgate

  • Tailgate: Rick Fedrizzi, Green Advocate

    The president and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council is optimistic about the collaborative future of sustainability, but he would like to see building codes get a little greener.

More? View Past Issues

Ask the Experts

  • Refinishing a Rusty Metal Roof
  • How to Fix Peeling Garage Doors

Readers Tips

  • Weather Protection for a Backyard Shop
  • Budget-Friendly Concrete Forms
  • Lightweight, Dead-Flat Worktable
  • Fishing Wires with a Vacuum
  • Handy Ladder Support
  • Clearing a Clogged Caulk Tube

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • 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

Fine Home Building

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