April/May 2005

Articles		Page
IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT SCREENED PORCH by Scott Gibson Make the right design choices, and you'll have an outdoor room you can enjoy without battling the bugs		52
GLUE WOOD FLOORING TO A CONCRETE SLAB by Ken Fisher A plywood core makes engineered flooring the most stable choice, provided the slab is flat and dry		58
HANDSAW REVIVAL by Brian Pontolilo Today's handsaws cut all kinds of material with renewed comfort, control, and durability		64
STRONG AND SIMPLE STAIRS by John Spier Whether it's four steps or four flights, the framing basics for safe, comfortable stairs are the same		68
ENERGY-SAVING THERMOSTATS by Sean Groom Easy to install, these programmable gizmos can save money and keep you comfortable		74
REINVENTING A FOURSQUARE by Rosemary McMonigal Energy efficient and simply detailed, a colorful assembly of shapes redefines a traditional Midwestern house		76
A FAST FOUNDATION FOR AN ADDITION by Rick Arnold Thanks to interlocking foam forms, you can form, pour, and insulate any small foundation in a single day		81
INSTALLING A PEDESTAL SINK by Ed Cunha Perfect for tight spaces, these sinks are painless to install if you follow a few basic guidelines		86
A CONCRETE-PAVER PATIO FROM THE BOTTOM UP by Dick Henry Accurate site work and a well-compacted stone base yield an outdoor room that's firm, flat, and attractive		90
Departments		Page
CONTRIBUTORS		6
LETTERS		8
CROSS SECTION NAHB sets standards for green building, Cordless tools pack more power		22
TIPS & TECHNIQUES Dust-isolation box, Safer step stool, Protecting stairs		30
TOOLS & MATERIALS Laser plumb bob, Vent covers		38
BREAKTIME		44
FINISHING TOUCHES Made in the shade		96
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Dentil molding on a gable, Best wood for windows		102
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? U-factor vs. R-value, Geotextiles		110
BUILDING SKILLS Cutting with a handsaw		116
DRAWING BOARD Dressing up a deck		122
MASTER CARPENTER Beaded cabinet openings		128
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS		140
GREAT MOMENTS The Taming of the Tarp		142

In Search of the Perfect Screened Porch, Glue Wood Flooring to a Concrete Slab, Handsaw Revival, Strong and Simple Stairs, Energy-Saving Thermostats, Reinventing a Foursquare, A Fast Foundation for an Addition, Installing a Pedestal Sink, A Concrete-Paver Patio from the Bottom Up