Did you ever have trouble with zoning bylaws when you built the tiny house you’ve written about? I want to follow your plans, but the 550 square foot floor size is smaller than the 800 square foot minimum I hear about where I live. What should I do? Read on for Steve’s advice to this reader.
If you’re planning to finish your basement, you really need to eavesdrop on my advice to a reader named Dunc. He emailed me about his plan to replace basement carpet with laminate installed over manufactured subfloor tiles. That’s a great…
Why do my chopsaw cuts bind? I’m building the workbench you offered free plans for a while back, and some of the cuts seem to pinch the blade of the saw, causing friction and burning. What should I do? Read on for Steve’s advice.
Here’s how to mask before painting and get excellent results.
Q: Can metal roofing be applied directly over old shingles? A: Yes. Definitely. If the existing shingles are not badly curled and are reasonably sound, it’s okay to install metal roofing on top. Anchoring 1×6 strapping across the roof first, then…
How the new EnerGuide Rating System measures home energy efficiency and rewards quality
Ever wonder how to deal with old, peeling wood siding? Read on for Steve’s advice.
Q: What steps should I take to insulate an unfinished basement in a house I’m thinking of buying? I don’t want to use spray foam and I don’t want the job to be too expensive. Click above to avoid the #1…
Listen as Steve Maxwell talks about the problems with conventional basement finishing, and how you can finish your basement in a way that will avoid mold, mildew, and poor indoor air quality.
Building and renovating homes in cold climates requires vapour barriers in some places. Learn how the work and why they’re essential.
In this video Steve shows how to patch one of the most common types of drywall damage; the screw pop.
BRUSHLESS DRILL TOUR A reader named Vern asked about what type of cordless tools he might need for a remote island worksite without power. Vern is hoping to bring a bunch of charged batteries to avoid the need for a…