June/July 2005

Articles		Page
SYNTHETIC DECKING TAKES OFF by Chris Green Now available in a variety of colors and textures, this durable array of products won't rot, splinter, or crack. What's not to like?		44
BETTER WAYS TO FRAME A DECK by John Spier Smart details for ledgers, posts, and joists create a solid, attractive frame that should last as long as the house		50
SMALL HOUSE, BUILT RIGHT by Betsy Pettit Think $50 per square foot and $50 a month for utilities are unattainable? Government-sponsored research proves otherwise.		56
REPLACING A ROTTEN MUDSILL by Mike Guertin Let simple wooden wedges do the heavy lifting		62
TESTING THE BEST PORTABLE TABLESAWS by Daniel S. Morrison Power, precision, portability, and 24-in. rip capacity for under $600		66
KITCHEN ADDITIION: FROM TINY TO TERIFFIC by Melissa Harris An architect's kitchen sketches inspire the transformation of her 1970s ranch		72
ADDING DETAIL WITH BUILT-UP MOLDING by Rick Arnold The final result looks like custom trim, but it's painless and affordable to make by combining stock profiles		78
10 ROOF GOOFS AND HOW TO FIX THEM by Stephen Hazlett Installation mistakes are often to blame for leaky roofs		84
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT BUILDING SITE by Jeremiah Eck An architect offers smart strategies to fix imperfect situations		90
Departments		Page
CONTRIBUTORS		6
LETTERS		8
CROSS SECTION Learning from Mexico's homebuilders, National call-before-you-dig number		18
TIPS & TECHNIQUES Affixing a router template, Tablesaw tapering jig		26
TOOLS & MATERIALS Panel carrier, Stainproof tile grout, Deck brackets		34
BREAKTIME		44
FINISHING TOUCHES Make the kitchen an open proposition		96
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Adding a three-way switch to a receptacle, Is vinyl siding green?		100
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? Portable compressors, Roof shingles		106
BUILDING SKILLS Using a voltage tester		114
DRAWING BOARD Recipe for an outdoor shower		120
MASTER CARPENTER Lot meets stone: a perfect fit		126
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS		136
GREAT MOMENTS The Know-It-All		138

Synthetic Decking Takes Off; Better Ways to Frame a Deck; Small House, Built Right; Replacing a Rotten Mudsill; Testing the Best Portable Tablesaws; Kitchen Addition: From Tiny to Terrific; Adding Detail with Built-Up Molding; 10 Roof Goofs and How to Fix Them; There's No Such Thing as a Perfect Building Site