Installing trim? Be sure to see the five tricks that’ll make the job easier. Bonus video, too!
Continue ReadingVAPOUR BARRIERS: How They Work & Why They Matter
Most homes are insulated with some kind of fibre-based insulation such as fibreglass or rock wool, but for these products to work properly they need to be installed with some kind of vapour barrier applied to the warm side of […]
Continue ReadingCERAMIC TILES: This is What a Proper Installation Looks Like
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, goes over how DIY homeowners can install ceramic tiles that last.
Continue ReadingOFF-GRID ENERGY: Tour a Real-World System With 20-Year Track Record
When Anne and Fritz Kettling decided to build their dream home on an island in Canada, they weren’t willing to compromise. “If I can’t build on this spot, I don’t want to build at all”, Fritz told someone who was […]
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EDGE-GLUING SOLID WOOD: Three steps for success in the home workshop
Gluing boards edge-to-edge to make wider pieces is an essential woodworking skill. Learn these three tips for getting this job done right.
Continue ReadingQUALITY & MORALITY: Build Unto Others As You Would Have Them Build for You
If you do anything at all creative with your hands, you need to understand an idea I call “the challenge of a thousand decisions”. From moment to creative moment we’re all faced with decisions – many of them small – […]
Continue ReadingTHREE READER Q&As: Furnace Room Ventilation, Insulating Exterior Walls, The Truth About Basement Walls
In this edition of Maxwell’s Tips, Steve explains furnace room ventilation, insulating exterior walls and the truth about basement walls.
Continue ReadingSTAIR TREAD TRICK: See Simple Jig on Video
Are you building or renovating stairs? Do you need to precisely fit pieces of wood between two fixed surfaces? You’ve got to watch this video. It’s the first I ever posted online, it’s been public since November 28, 2008 and it’s […]
Continue ReadingQUARTERSAWN LUMBER: Why Woodworkers Should Be Looking At The Ends of Boards
UPDATED 26Sep2018: I’ve noticed that most woodworkers start assessing a board by looking at its face. But if this is where your investigations end, you’re missing out on insights that can lead to a lot of creative control and better […]
Continue ReadingSOFFIT & FASCIA: How-To Installation Your Own Aluminum Soffit & Fascia
Got some soffit and fascia to install on your home, garage or cottage? This article covers the basics for achieving an exceptionally good job, even as a non-professional
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