August/ September 1999

Articles		Page
POURED-IN-PLACE CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS by Rex Alexander Getting a durable kitchen work surface starts with careful form work and the right concrete		62
- A smooth finish takes time and patience by Mark Story		68
THE VIEW TOWER by James Estes A three-story addition expands the kitchen, catches the sea breezes and improves the view		70
FIXES FOR DAMP, MOLDY HOUSES by Fred Lugano Drying the foundation and sealing air leaks make houses healthy		74
A PAIR OF BUILT-IN HUTCHES by Kevin Luddy Faced with spaces that weren't close to square, this carpenter applied trim and scribing to hide the worst of it		80
SURVEY OF SLIDING COMPOUND-MITER SAWS by Rick Arnold and Mike Guertin These versatile saws crosscut, bevel and miter; which one should you buy?		84
A GLULAM-FRAME HOUSE by Mark Weber and Dan Wheeler Laminated beams got this vacation home erected quickly		90
ALL ABOUT RAIN GUTTERS by Andy Engel Whether aluminum, copper, steel or plastic, gutters need good design and proper installation to put roof runoff where it belongs		96
DRAINING GUTTER RUNOFF by Byron Papa Once the water's gone down the downspout, inexpensive plastic pipes carry it away from the house		102
HANGING A WALL RAILING by Sebastian Eggert Get it at the right height and make sure it's fastened to the framing; someone's life may depend on it		104
WIRING STOVES AND DRYERS by Rex Cauldwell Code now requires a four-slot receptacle to provide both 120 volts and 240 volts		110
UPDATING THE NEW ENGLAND SHINGLE STYLE by Michael McKinley A steep roof gives the exterior an angular, dramatic shape; traditional materials keep the house grounded		114
Departments		Page
LETTERS Taking issue, Nail-gun safety		6
Q & A Venting gas appliances, Wheelchair-accessible shower pan		20
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES Cutting rigid insulation, Safe rain-gutter cleaning		30
DRAWING BOARD Designing with furnishings in mind		38
CROSS SECTION Contractors on line, Job rankings		50
FINISHING TOUCHES Distinctive gates		120
TOOLS AND MATERIALS Gutter system, Circular saw, Cordless jigsaw		126
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE Concrete, Heat-system tubing		136
REVIEWS Cracking the Codes, Design Guide to the 1997 Uniform Building Code		146
GREAT MOMENTS Feeling the chill		158

Poured-in-Place Concrete Countertops; The View Tower; Fixes for Damp, Moldy Houses; A Pair of Built-In Hutches; Survey of Sliding Compound-Miter Saws; A Glulam-Frame House; All About Rain Gutters; Draining Gutter Runoff; Hanging a Wall Railing; Wiring Stoves and Dryers; Updating the New England Shingle Style