Fine Homebuilding Magazine

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Out of Print • BUILDING BEYOND THE MAGAZINE’S PAGES

Contributors • THE VOICES OF EXPERIENCE

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Letters • READER FEEDBACK

Tips & Techniques • HANDS-ON ADVICE FROM READERS IN THE FIELD

Know the CODE • MASTER THE RULES OF HOME BUILDING

Tools & Materials • NOTEWORTHY PRODUCTS, FIXTURES, AND GEAR

Big Doors Make a Big Impact • Folding Outswing, Liftslide, and MultiGlide™ doors from Andersen offer boundless indoor/outdoor living possibilities for designers and builders

A Practical Perfect Wall • Getting the details right for a wall assembly with the control layers to the exterior and lots of drying potential

SLICK PEEL-AND-STICK • Two sets of hands, a deliberate process, and a little patience make installing a peel-and-stick water-resistive barrier (WRB) easy. Before starting the WRB installation, it’s a good idea to inspect the sheathing for anything that could penetrate the membrane.

THE BUCK STARTS HERE • Well-flashed, site-built window bucks provide the base for durable window installations in plane with the siding. Note that the rough openings are oversized to accommodate the window bucks.

A COZY CI SWEATER • A thick layer of continuous, high-density rigid mineral-wool insulation eliminates thermal bridging and controls the temperature of the sheathing.

Landscape Lighting Essentials • From planning a safe and exciting outdoor lighting strategy to limiting light pollution to choosing fixtures, we’ve got you covered

ACCENT LIGHTS • The workhorse of landscape lighting, the accent light can be used to create an array of effects, from grazing light across the branches of conifers, to uplighting the corners of the home, to creating a shadow behind a cactus or texture on a hardscape. Remember, what you don’t light is as important as what you do; let the shadows be part of the design.

PATH LIGHTS • There may not be a landscape lighting site more comforting than a gently illuminated walk with shielded path lights that only shine downward. Be sure you cannot see any part of the light source, and place the fixtures farther apart than you think you should. It’s OK to have dark spots between fixtures.

IN-GRADE UPLIGHTS • I have seen accent lights knocked to pieces by passing lawn mowers and people walking nearby. But with their low profile, in-grade uplights are less susceptible to damage. Like the Coastal Source installation shown here, they can be a subtle presence in a garden or hardscape. But don’t scrimp on quality; these lights have to survive in the ground and keep out water from all directions.

DECK LIGHTS • Small deck lights mount directly to posts and railings, putting light exactly where it’s needed. Place these at least 16 in. above the deck surface along railings and on both sides of stairs for great light. This installation from WAC Lighting highlights the posts, reflects off the cable rail, and illuminates the deck’s edge, creating a stylish level of safety for the waterfront deck.

STEP LIGHTS • There are versions of classic movie theater–style step lights that mount easily to stairs, though I recommend staying away from the solar variety until they get better. Higher-quality versions may require licensed electrical installation but are great for stone and brick walls. In a wood-framed deck or stone terrace, like the WAC Lighting project shown here, step lights can be easily integrated with just a little extra planning.

ILLUMINATING POSSIBILITIES • We’ve...