Colorful, Comfortable Cork
Though bamboo has been touted lately as the renewable material of choice in green construction, there’s another sustainable material fashionably making its way into the eco-friendly limelight: cork. In fact, cork has been around just as long, if not longer, than bamboo.Unlike hardwood floo...
Which Wood Works Best?
When it comes to building materials, it can often seem like there are a million different product choices out there. But sometimes you know what you want for certain applications such as siding, flooring or trim — and that’s real wood. You may want it for the natural beauty and warmth it...
Sticky Business
When I was growing up, the only glues I used were model glue and various brands of white paper glue. Even the local hardware store only stocked two or three types of adhesives. Now when you walk through your hardware store you are faced with a daunting array of glues and adhesives for every possi...
A Painting Glossary
Acrylic: A type of synthetic polymer used as the binder for high-performance, water-based paints and caulks. Alkyd: A synthetic resin used in oil-based paints. Alligatoring: A scaly pattern that appears on paint due to the inability of the paint to bond to a glossy coating beneath it. It can also be...
Structural Stone
Dry-stacking fieldstone is a difficult method of building with stone. When d...
The Silent Troublemaker
Excessive moisture should be high on every homeowner's list of concerns. The persistent problems caused by moisture are serious, and they are on the rise. They can exist in older houses and newer houses, although a variety of factors can make the situation worse in newer homes. Moisture p...
The Finishing Touch
When it comes to building green, it's not only how you start but also how you finish. Whether you're building a new home or remodeling an existing one, you can choose from an ever-growing list of innovative finish materials that are practical, attractive and environmentally friendly. Thes...
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