Ask the Experts

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Fine Homebuilding

One reader asks, "I’m sick and tired of my gutters. They leak, they are rotting out my trim, they’re a maintenance headache, and on top of all that, I don’t like how they look. Without them, however, I’m concerned that my stone foundation will leak even worse than it does now. What should I do?" Read the answer - Fine Homebuilding

Venting a roof on a single-story section of the house that dies into the wall of a second floor is challenging, and your porch roof makes it even more so. - Fine Homebuilding

Expert Construction Advice

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Ice dams form when a home’s escaping heat warms the roof sheathing and melts the underside of the snow layer on the roof. - Fine Homebuilding

If you know the limit of acceptable deflection and how much weight a beam needs to carry—both of which are provided by building codes—then the type, species, grade, length, width, and depth of the beam all can be selected.

The stakes are high, because an improper DWV setup can lead to slow drains, gurgling fixtures, sewer gas entering the living space, recurring clogs, and potentially hazardous overflows. When installed well, a DWV system will go unnoticed, with solids, liquids, and gases flowing smoothly. Here’s how it works.

How It Works

31 Pins

Enhancing Structural Design with Advanced Techniques

Join us for an in-depth webinar with Trus Joist® at 6 pm on July 24th, where we explore advanced features and techniques in ForteWEB™ to enhance your design and project efficiency. This session is perfect for both new and experienced users looking to leverage ForteWEB’s powerful capabilities.

a diagram showing the components of a cabinet

Modal Window

Kitchen Island Countertop

Construction Adhesive

Tip-Proof Kitchen Island on a Concrete Floor

One way to secure a kitchen island on adjustable legs is to install a cleat on the floor that runs the length of the island and then fasten the island to the cleat. If the floor is concrete and not wood, use pressure-treated cleats held down with concrete fasteners.

a man working on the roof of a house that has been gutted with shingles

Green Building

Roof Sheathing

Asphalt Roof Shingles

New Shingles on an Older House

A homeowner planning to shingle a roof sheathed with solid planks is getting conflicting advice on whether he should add a layer of OSB over the boards before applying the shingles. Photo credit: Daniel S. Morrison.

the components of a roof that are labeled

Metal Roof Detail

Rigid Foam Insulation

Exterior Insulation

Build A Fireplace

Attic Insulation

Construction Techniques

Essential Woodworking Tools

Patio Projects

Moisture-Managed Roof

Roof assemblies using spray foam or rigid-foam insulation should be constructed to dry in at least one direction to prevent seasonal moisture accumulation from rotting the sheathing. Assemblies under metal roofing should also be detailed to drain water from condensation that occurs on the underside of the roofing. Drawing by Dan Thornton.

an image of a window with instructions on how to install the trim and sealing

Exterior Foundation Covering

Diy Window Replacement

Diy Woodworking Projects

Woodworking Plans Beginner

Flashing for Old Windows

It’s not uncommon for old windows to have the exterior casing keyed into the jamb with a lap joint and glue. In this case, they probably can’t be removed without damaging the jamb and/or the casing. In the past, I’ve had good luck with a workaround, though. Read how.

an advertisement for the homebuilding e - learning course

Air Conditioning System

A Path to Better Indoor Air Quality

Learn how to define healthy indoor air quality. Understand the cause and effect of common indoor air pollutants Debunk common myths about indoor air quality. Learn effective strategies for indoor air quality control over the life of the building.

a magazine cover with an image of a kitchen and dining room in the back ground

How to Improve the Health and Indoor Air Quality of Homes

We spend 90% of our lives indoors, much of that in our homes. Even if well-known dangers like radon or carbon dioxide are not present, there are many other things that can make indoor air quality unhealthy. The good news is that with a systems-based method, we can achieve the conditions that result in healthy indoor air quality. Learn how to approach design, construction, and maintenance in new homes and remodels, and how to consider existing homes, with indoor air quality in mind. This course includes nearly six hours of in-depth how-to video instruction, and downloadable learning resources.

a man working on the side of a house with windows and sidings attached to it

Mechanical Ventilation

Exterior Modern

Exterior Wall Design

House Exterior Design

Create a Successful Drained Siding System

A drained and fully ventilated rainscreen gap behind your siding is one of the best ways to minimize damage by allowing water to drain away and allowing for air movement behind the cladding to promote drying of the wall assembly.

an advertisement with the words receptacles for a kitchen island in black and white

Receptacles for a Kitchen Island

With a ban on below-counter receptacles in the latest National Electrical Code, there are a few other ways to incorporate receptacle outlets on a peninsula or island. Pop-up receptacles can be an attractive alternative. Prices range from $60 to $600.

a man in red shirt and grey hat working on a concrete wall with cement pavers

Floating Stairs

Expanded Metal

Tankless Water Heater

Good House

Natural Minerals

Foam Board

Protect Foundation Foam

A great choice for exterior foam on foundations is a borate-treated expanded polystyrene (EPS) that performs at a similar R-value to extruded polystyrene (XPS) but is much less environmentally unfriendly.

Woodworking

Mindfulness

Standard Operating Procedure

Things To Keep In Mind

Thinning Finishes for Spraying Paint

If you're exceeding the paint manufacturer's guidelines, there are a few things to keep in mind. In order for the fluid to pass through the needle/spray-cap assembly and become atomized, thinning is almost always essential, and is standard operating procedure when using HVLP systems.

the diagram shows how to build a concrete slab with different types of insulation and materials

Setting Bases for Porch Posts

The best way to prevent structural posts from cracking stone is to ensure there are no voids in the mortar bed, drill a larger anchor hole in the stone, and keep anchor bolts away from the edges.

Replace Rotten Boards in a Roof Overhang

This reader is repairing/renovating a historic Craftsman-era house and asks, “Is it possible to replace rotten overhang boards … without removing the roofing? I believe the boards are tongue-and-groove, but am not certain yet.”