August/ September 1996

Articles		Page
INNOVATIVE DECK RAILINGS by Andrew Wormer Using wood, glass and steel to build deck railings that stand out		48
THE NEW GENERATION OF 12-VOLT CORDLESS DRILLS by Gary M. Katz They offer better balance, more power and longer battery life		54
A STYLISH, FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN by Fu Tung Cheng Spare, elegant detailing distinguishes this contemporary kitchen		60
SIMPLE TOOLS FOR FASTER FRAMING by Larry Haun An expert framer tells how to work with patterns, templates and jigs		64
CAD PROGRAMS UNDER $500 by Brian Zavitz Some programs are little more than interesting toys, but others offer professional drafting capabilities		68
A SOLAR HOUSE IN A COLD CLIMATE by Marc Rosenbaum A solar house braves winter with only a domestic-water heater as backup		74
A COMFORTABLE COTTAGE BATHROOM by Kathie Wheaton Painted wainscoting and a shower window transform a simple bathroom		78
A QUICK WAY TO BUILD A SQUEAK-FREE STAIR by Alan Ferguson Using plywood can guarantee a stable and accurate staircase		80
A REMODEL IN THE SPANISH TRADITION by Jerri Holan Plaster detailing blends new and old as an architect resolves a poorly organized floor plan		86
VENTING A TRADITIONAL EAVE by Robert Wills On a shingle-style house, aluminum soffit vents just won't do		90
FIXING A HOUSE WITH A BAD FOUNDATION by Jerry McSweeney and Eric McGaw Helical piers go in like giant drywall screws to support a sinking house and a new addition		92
A STORYBOOK HOME by Michaela Mahady A thoughtful mix of colors, shapes and textures creates fairy-tale charm in a full-size house		96
Departments		Page
LETTERS A few stray sawhorses, In defense of owner/builders, Don't play with fire		06
Q & A Figuring out groin vaults, Venting a roof without eaves		20
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES Tuning a framing square, Help for solo fascia hangers		30
CROSS SECTION Rebuilding row houses, A new deck manual, Screwing down the roof		38
FINISHING TOUCHES Log homes		102
TOOLS AND MATERIALS Polyurethane glue, Miter clamps for interior trim, Profile sander		108
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? Latex caulk, Wax toilet-bowl gaskets, Concrete demolition		120
REVIEWS House as a Mirror of Self, The Contractor's Legal Kit, Legal Manual for Residential Construction		136
GREAT MOMENTS Survey of job-site dogs		146

Innovative Deck Railings; The New Generation of 12-Volt Cordless Drills; A Stylish, Functional Kitchen; Simple Tools for Faster Framing; CAD Programs under $500; A Solar House in a Cold Climate; A Comfortable Cottage Bathroom; A Quick Way to Build a Squeak-Free Stair; A Remodel in the Spanish Tradition; Venting a Traditional Eave; Fixing a House with a Bad Foundation; A Storybook Home