Canada’s Handiest Man, Steve Maxwell discusses a flooring rubber underlay to aid in soundproofing.
Continue ReadingSOUNDPROOFING A BASEMENT WORKSHOP: Technical Details & Videos
Got unwanted noise spilling over from one room to the next in your home? Peace, quiet and solitude is something we all expect from our homes, but many don’t deliver. This is especially true if you’ve got a workshop in your basement. […]
Continue ReadingSOLAR ENERGY Q&A: “Where Can I Learn More About Household Solar Energy?
Q: Where can I learn more about making solar energy a reality in a country home I’m planning to build? I need facts about the costs of various parts of the system, different suppliers and technologies, plus some sense of maintenance […]
Continue ReadingMETALWORKING: Welding Homemade Steel Staircase
UPDATED 3Jan2020: A while back we built a set of compact stairs for a small space here at our place on Bailey Line Road, making videos during the process. Click above to watch the main steel body of this stair project […]
Continue Reading Learn More from Bailey Line Road
HOW TO BUILD STAIRS: Watch Video Lesson on Cutting Stringers
In this week’s two-video episode see how stairs are supported on notched pieces called “stringers”; determine how many treads you need for a given stair installation; accurately mark a stringer for cutting; take a video tour of a cherry stair railing.
a circular saw and handsaw are used for cutting the stringers you’ve marked
the second video below shows how to build a fancy staircase railing
TIMBER FRAME HOME: Canadian Craftsman Keeps Tradition Alive & Flourishing
Every so often I discover someone whose passion for craftsmanship is strong enough to endure a lifetime spent doing something else. That’s why Ottawa, Canada timber framer Ray Gibbs is worth meeting. He spent a 34-year career working as an […]
Continue ReadingELECTRIC IN-FLOOR HEATING: Toastier Toes Make Rooms More Comfortable
UPDATED 20Dec2019 + video: The phrase “cold feet” is more than just something someone says when they’ve lost enthusiasm. In some houses it’s a permanent source of literal discomfort each winter. Bathrooms, basements, floors over crawlspaces and those notoriously cold […]
Continue ReadingENERGY EFFICIENCY: Top Seven Home Insulation Myths Busted
Have questions about what’s right and wrong when it comes to insulation? Steve busts the top seven insulation myths so that you can go back to making your home as dry and energy efficient as possible.
Continue ReadingFancy Cedar Shingles for Exterior Walls
In this video (8 minutes) visit with Steve as he shows how to make and install fancy cedar sidewall shingles; introduces a weatherproof outdoor extension cord connection port (really cool); and shows how to boost the life of all types of wood siding with an installation tip.
Continue ReadingSMART THERMOSTATS, BETTER HEATING: How Today’s Best Hydronic Heating Controls Deliver More Comfort for Less Money
PUBLISHED 17Sep2019 (Video below): There’s more to optimal control of heating systems than just a thermostat that turns heat ON when it’s too cold, and OFF when temperatures rise. Today’s smartest hydronic heating controls serve this purpose in a way […]
Continue Reading