February/ March 1999

Articles		Page
Has Latex Won the Paint Wars? BY ZACHARY GAULKIN More durable and versatile than ever, water-based exterior house paints are pushing oil to the brink of extinction		62
Counter Act BY STEVE MORRIS A belt sander will be your best friend when fitting factory-made laminate countertops to wavy walls		68
Updating the Kitchen Pantry BY DAVID GETTS By using both manufactured and shop-built parts, these versatile cabinets can be made quickly and efficiently		74
How to Install a Toilet BY PETER HEMP Reinforce the floor and use the right components for years of trouble-free service		78
Expanding a Half-Cape Into a Full-Blown House BY JOSEPH B. LANZA Light-filled and comfortable, an enlarged house remains faithful to the spirit of local building traditions		84
Making the Most of a Laundry Room BY BYRON PAPA A laundry chute, a custom-built towel drawer and a fold-down ironing board ease the tedium of wash day		90
Installing Handrails Made From Stock Parts BY LON SCHLEINING A full-scale drawing and some shop-built jigs can ease the assembly of expensive stair parts		94
Building a Circular Porch BY LEN SCHMIDT A curving plywood beam and laminated trim solve some of the problems associated with working in the round		100
Block Planes for Carpenters BY REX ALEXANDER A veteran carpenter surveys the current offerings and tells how he gets the best performance from his planes		104
A Rustic Country Cottage BY DAVID EDRINGTON Simple trusses and timber-frame brackets set the style in a 1,300-sq. ft. guest house		110
Departments		Page
LETTERS Foundation safety, Women and unions		6
Q & A Weaving patterns in sidewall shingles, Vinyl windows at high altitudes		18
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES Measuring posts on uneven ground, Roof-truss spacer		30
DRAWING BOARD Simple floor-plan changes can revitalize an older home		40
CROSS SECTION The Maxi kitchen, Code changes		50
FINISHING TOUCHES Creative storage in a small house		116
TOOLS AND MATERIALS Low-expanding foam, Fiber-cement siding, Dust containment		122
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE Cedar shingles, Joist-hanger nails		130
REVIEWS The Slate Book, Kitchen newsletter		140
GREAT MOMENTS What smoke?Ê		154

Has Latex Won the Paint Wars?, Counter Act, Updating The Kitchen Pantry, How to Install a Toilet, Expanding a Half-Cape into a Full-Blown House, Making the Most of a Laundry Room, Installing Handrails Made from Stock Parts, Building a Circular Porch, Block Planes for Carpenters, A Rustic Country Cottage