Why is condensation forming behind the fiberglass insulation in my basement? I glued 1 1/2″-thick white styrofoam boards to all the exterior walls and in between the floor joists where they meet the outside walls. I sealed all joints with…
Yes, you can build a non-load bearing wall on top of any basement subfloor product on the market today. Since these walls don’t exert much downward force, there’s no problem. Once you’ve built your wall and moved it into final…
What do you think about slicing brick so it’s 1-inch thick, then gluing it to the outside walls of a garage I’m planning to build myself? I’d like this garage to match the brick on our house. What are the…
How should I insulate the floor of a sunroom I’ll be building over a raised deck? It’s about 9 feet off the ground, with a hot tub underneath. The easiest, neatest and least expensive option is to apply 2 inches…
What’s the best kind of long-lasting, maintenance-free metal roof? I’m considering something that looks like roofing tiles. Our lot is heavily treed and the roof includes skylights. I’d also like to be able to walk easily on the roof from…
Maintaining a wooden deck finish is more work than most people realize, and that’s why it’s important to consider the long-term consequences before you make a finishing choice. Although I do like teak oil as a finish for exterior wood,…
What’s the best way to insulate the underside of a 10×15-foot sunroom? It stands three feet off the ground, and I’m confused about where to put the vapour barrier. The purpose of a vapour barrier is to prevent the movement…
It is a good idea to cover a deck with a roof, while leaving the walls open? What options do I have other than cedar for the new structure? Are there composites available that can hold a roof, possibly with…
What length of warranty should we expect from a contractor who’ll be building a cottage addition for us? Hiring a contractor is trickier than it seems, and warranty periods are the least of your worries. That’s because it’s easy for…
What’s the best way to boost the energy efficiency of my 65-year-old frame house while I’m redoing exterior walls this season? My plan is to remove all exterior layers, including the original 1″ X 6″ sheathing boards, then fill the…
How should I rout flexible synthetic water supply pipes underneath our cottage? I’m especially unclear about whether or not we need to use a manifold and where it should be located. Flexible plastic water pipes are becoming more popular because…
How should I finish my 18-year-old cedar deck? Over the years I’ve tried many products, and none have lasted more than a year. Even products with a five year warranty didn’t fare better. What should I do? The wood is…