Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Do you #KnowtheCode on how far deck joists can cantilever? Often you will hear a confident and definitive answer: 2 ft. maximum. While maximum cantilevers for floor joists of houses have been provided in the IRC for the last two decades in Tables R502.3.3(1) and (2), these tables aren't meant for decks. They address maximum joist cantilevers for bearing walls and floor joists extending to balconies, not the typical deck joist setup hung from an exterior ledger. It wasn’t until the 2015 IRC that the code writers finally provided a joist span design table specifically for decks. Glenn Mathewson takes us through the code evolution of the cantilever and recent revisions. Read the full article on one of the most asked deck-building questions: https://lnkd.in/eCZ7t24R #DeckBuild #BuildingCode #DeckCodes #Framing #Decks #IRC #KeepCraftAlive

Ever struggled with damaged walls? Our cover story on the latest issue of FHB walks you through professional skim-coating techniques that'll give you perfectly smooth surfaces. Also inside this issue: 🔧 Tour a pro carpenter's organized two-car garage workshop 🌳 Learn best practices for working with pressure-treated lumber 💧 Explore water-leak detector options and how they work 💡 Find a guide to what to look for in downlighting 🏠 Understanding stairway safety and building codes Read the full issue: https://lnkd.in/eTHTu2zH #HomeBuilding #Workshop #Lumber #Lighting #Stairs #BuildingCode #KeepCraftAlive

Check out this modern Tudor-style cottage 🏠 Designed as a detached accessory dwelling unit, the home offers a smart solution for urban living—balancing privacy with a shared courtyard alongside two other households. With 1225 sq. ft., this modified split-level home includes three bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, versatile utility space, and clever storage options. The unique layout takes advantage of the 25-ft. height limit and a sloping yard, with the front door opening right onto the mid-level landing. Architect: Cast Architecture Builder: Align builders Location: Seattle, Wash. Photos: Andrew Giammarco See more photos: https://lnkd.in/eRiYiexp

JD wrote into the FHB Podcast to ask, "How do you put a guardrail post on a 45-degree corner? Are there prescriptive details?" Mike Guertin takes the question and replies, "There are no prescriptive details published by hardware or screw manufacturers, but I’ve tested my own field details and they’re pretty strong. Here’s a photo of how I approach it." This question comes from episode #652, listen everywhere podcasts play 🎙 or on FHB: https://bit.ly/3U8ZO3o #FHBpodcast #DeckBuild #AskTheExperts #DeckFraming #GuardrailPost

Continuous exterior insulation (CEI) is an added layer of insulation to the exterior of a wall assembly, installed to the outside of the structural sheathing and behind the cladding. In this article, builder Josh Salinger describes the pros and cons of some material options for CEI, and uses two illustrated examples of CEI installations to describe possible ways to integrate windows and flashing details. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eAmhF5FD

Air-sealing improves energy efficiency, comfort, and durability in homes by reducing drafts and lowering utility bills. In this downloadable guide, you’ll find: 🏠 What to consider when choosing the right insulation for different areas 🪟 Air-sealing basics, including critical locations and effective methods 🏘 How to create a tight air barrier in any type of home Download for free ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/esu7_a2s

Similar to traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, loose-tenon joinery is an efficient method for building cabinet face frames and doors—without the need to measure and cut tenons directly into stiles or rails. Festool’s Domino system (first available in the U.S. in 2007) makes the loose-tenon joinery process fast and easy by simplifying the mortising and by including ready-made tenons. The Domino gave loose-tenon joinery a boost in popularity—but its hefty price tag (around $1600 for the machine and a box of tenons) can be a major barrier. If you're willing to invest, the Domino tool streamlines the process, ensuring precise and repeatable results. The good news is you can make loose tenons with tools you likely already have. Learn more from carpenter Tim Snyder: https://lnkd.in/eEwGX3XB #Carpentry #Cabinets #CabinetMaking #Festool #Woodworking #CustomCabinetry #KeepCraftAlive

The face of construction is slowly becoming more diverse, but women still represent only 11% of the industry’s workforce, with hammer swingers, tinners, and wire pullers just a fraction of that percentage. Sandy Thistle, a carpenter of 34 years, instructor at Madison Area Technical College, and the founder of CampBUILD, a Girl Scout camp (Badgerland Girl Scouts) that puts tools in the hands of girls ages six to 18, wants women to see themselves as builders. “If girls can see women who do this for a living work with confidence, skill, and enjoyment, they will more easily imagine themselves performing in these same ways.” — Sandy Thistle Sandy is eager to give girls and women the opportunities she did not have when she was young. Since 1991, she has been teaching carpentry, with a focus on helping women be successful in the trades. Allie Berenyi, a fellow carpentry instructor at Madison College has many wonderful things to say about Sandy's impact on their community. Be sure to read her full #KeepCraftAlive feature: https://lnkd.in/eFtMgFYc #Build #Carpenter #WomeninConstruction #Education #Tradeswomen #FineHomebuilding #MadisonCollege

Join the BS* + Beer Show tomorrow night for a ghoulishly good time with our partners-in-crime Michael Anschel and Carl Seville, aka The Green Police. They’re diving into the state of their businesses, the state of the industry, and the state of the world 🌎 Sure, this could get dark and eerie—just in time for Halloween—but don’t be afraid! The Green Police have a talent for making even the scariest of topics fun, while still leaving you with some real food for thought. Register in advance to join us live and to jump in on the Q&A: https://lnkd.in/eg4dUjJ7

Mold problems with your #minisplit? This FHB reader wrote in for #AsktheExperts advice on dealing with mold build-up on filters and within minisplit units, despite having them cleaned twice a year. Mold issues like these in minisplits and air handlers often stem from poor condensate removal. Common issues include clogged drain pans, broken or clogged condensate lines, and units installed out of level or on out-of-plumb walls. Uninsulated refrigeration lines can also be condensing surfaces with resultant mold or stains. But if mold issues persist, #dehumidification is key. Multi-zone ductless systems have another challenge; their modulation range (their ability to ramp up and down in response to cooling demand) is less than that of single-zone systems. Have you dealt with these types of issues? Read HVAC expert Jon Harrod's full response: https://lnkd.in/eY49uK2B #HVAC #MoldPrevention #HomeTips #KeepCraftAlive