Projects Around the House

Get your home projects off to a great start this weekend with Projects Around the House. Written by Fine Homebuilding's industry pros, these 10 articles take you step by step through interior and exterior improvement projects that'll make your home more enjoyable.

• Enhance the beauty of any room with crown molding



• Protect your deck for years to come



• Paint walls and ceilings like a pro



• And much more

Get your projects done right the first time
Projects Around the House is packed with dozens of time-saving tips, reviews of tools and materials, and straightforward answers to common questions. All from the most trusted name in home building and remodeling!

Editor's Note

Contributors

Tips & Techniques
Efficient door painting, Repairing plaster walls, Moving strike plates

Tools & Materials
Pro-quality circular saws, See-through drain trap

Breaktime

Improve Your Kitchen Storage
by Sven Hanson
Reclaim wasted space with pull-out organizers and inserts

Tiling Over a Laminate Counter
by David Hart
Thanks to cement backerboard, you can make a new countertop without ripping out the old one

Painting a Room
by Brian J. Doherty
Part 1: Ceilings & Walls
A professional's tips for rolling and edging paint
Part 2: Interior Trim
Careful preparation and confident brush work are the keys

Crown-Molding Basics
by Clayton DeKorne
Create a trim transformation with backing boards, a coping strategy, and some smart work on the miter saw

Enhance Any Room With a Window Seat
by Gary Striegler
A simple design, jazzed up with molding, creates a cozy nook for less than $200

Install a Bathroom Fan
by Mike Guertin
A quiet fan clears moisture from the bathroom and the house

How to Replace a Toilet
by Peter Hemp
Reinforce the floor and use the right components for years of trouble-free service

The Care & Feeding of Wooden Decks
by Jon Tobey
Frequent cleaning and periodic refinishing are the best ways to ensure a long and happy life for these vulnerable creatures

Lay a Flagstone Walkway
by Eric Nelson
Design and install an inviting and long-lasting path to your door

Build an Easy-Stack Retaining Wall
by Andy Beasley
A foolproof system of interlocking blocks enables you to transform your yard with walls, terraces, steps, and raised beds

Questions & Answers
Why do miter joints open up?

What's the Difference?
Sandpaper, Shop-vacuum filters

Building Skills
Soldering copper pipe

Great Moments
Pink-Bathroom Syndrome