Extreme How-To 2008 Summer

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The Laminate Flooring Boom Summer Reading for the DIY’er
The Enthusiast’s Guide to Home Improvement
HOW TO CHOOSE LUMBER FOR

OUTDOOR
PROJECTS
PLUS:
HOW TO MAKE
COPE JOINTS
IN MOLDING
DEMOLITION
DEVICES
Summer 2008 • Digital Issue

www.extremehowto.com
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CONTENTS
Summer 200 8
32
F E AT U R E S
22 Summer Reading 32 How to Choose Lumber
for the DIY’er for Outdoor Projects
Get a helping hand from these There are more choices than there used to be
great how-to books
D E PA R T M E N T S
6 From the Editor
8 Q&A
10 Tool School
Demolition Devices
42 Spotlight
The Laminate Flooring Boom 52
46 Skill Savvy
Learning to Cope
50 Quick Fix
Drawer Slide Replacement
52 Hot Products
4 www.extremehowto.com
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LETTER From The

Editor-In-Chief
or many reading this, this will be your first exposure to

E D I TO R - I N - C H I E F
F
Matt Weber
Extreme How-To’s new digital magazine. Since 2003, EHT C O P Y E D I TO R
has printed 9 issues a year, and now we’re branching out Tanya Thompson
with some cool new technology. Over the past several months, CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Huck DeVenzio
we have been providing our print subscribers with a link to a Larry Walton
Mark Clement
supplemental digital version of the magazine hosted online. Monte Burch
This gives our subscribers easy access to the latest issue any A DV I S O RY B O A R D
time they have internet access, and the response has been Monte Burch
Kevin Hayes
tremendous. Kathy Ziprik
Mark Clement
We’ve seen such success with the digital issues that we’re
C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R
now expanding our 9-issue routine with three extra digital issues Wesley Glassco
throughout the year. You’re looking at our inaugural Summer C I R C U L AT I O N
Walter J. Riley
Digital Issue, where we provide additional how-to content for your
reading enjoyment. What’s more, the digital issues are interac-
PUBLISHER
tive. Experiment with the controls at the top of the page, and Chad Gillikin
learn how to zoom in or out for your preferred page views. Search A DV E R T I S I N G S A L E S D I R E C TO R
for your favorite topics, and share stories with your friends via Jeremy Hollingsworth
email. You’ll find lots of hyperlinks where you can learn more A DV E R T I S I N G S A L E S
Hal Jones
about interesting products. Plus, check out the numerous pop-up Jan Logan
Luke McGlothin
videos that demonstrate the latest tools and materials featured.
BUSINESS MANAGER
So, browse the site, click the links and Dusty Statham
enjoy the issue. If you have any sugges- REPRINTS
tions regarding home-improvement topics Nedda Maloles
717-481-8500
that you’d like to see covered in the nmaloles@reprintdept.com
future, then drop us a line and we’ll try to SUBSCRIPTIONS
Kable News
add them to the roster. And in the mean- 888-587-8911
time, be safe and enjoy your summer.
TM
M E D I A G R O U P , L L C
PRESIDENT
Trent R. Boozer
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Chad Gillikin
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Val Carrier
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT
Mark Gamble
Extreme How-To is published by

LATITUDE3 MEDIA GROUP, LLC
1111 Edenton Street
Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone 205.949.1600 • Fax 205.949.1601
www.extremehowto.com
Extreme How-To (ISSN 1540-5346) is published and distributed

monthly to DIY home improvement enthusiasts by Latitude3
Media Group, LLC, 1111 Edenton Street, Birmingham, AL 35242
(executive and editorial offices). All rights reserved. Neither this
publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without permission of Latitude3 Media Group, LLC.
Subscriptions: U.S. and possessions: 1 year (9 issues – $18.97);
foreign, 1 year (9 issues – $32.50) U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to Extreme How-To P.O. Box 426, Mt. Morris,
IL 61054-0426. SUBSCRIBER SERVICE: To order a subscription
or change your address, write to Extreme How-To P.O. Box 426,
Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0426, or call 888-587-8911; or E-mail to
ehtw@kable.com; or visit our Web site at www.extremehowto.com. To
order back issues, call (205) 949.1603.
The information in Extreme How-To’s editorial content is intended

to explain and simplify home-improvement tasks. Tools, products,
materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations
change; therefore, Latitude3 assumes no liability for omissions,
errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always
exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations
that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional
if in doubt about any procedures.
Printed in the USA

HannellFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:02 PM Page 7
CAN BE AFFORDABLE!
Check us out online at www.radiantdirect.com
Most people understand that in-floor We build each system in our shop, so
hydronic heating is a superior heating you don’t have to sweat copper or have any
method. But, typical price quotes special crimping tools to complete the
($8 - $10 per sq. ft. or more) for an installation.
installed radiant heating system are
more than people can afford.
Typically, whole-house heating systems

from Hannel – RadiantDirect come in
at $3 - $4 per sq. ft….. before installation.
We specialize in complete radiant
heating systems for homeowners,
contractors or plumbers to install.
NOT A BOX OF PARTS!

Hannel – RadiantDirect systems are
custom designed specifically for your
project. Using plans you provide we
develop a detailed diagram of your
tubing layout.
Our CD-based instruction manual has

100 pages of installation instructions and
diagrams. Our technicians are available
via telephone to help with questions and
troubleshoot your system.
We’ve supplied thousands of customers with radiant heating packages.

Give us a call at 888-298-6036 or send an email to info@radiantdirect.com.
Our sales team will be glad to provide you with a project quote free of charge.
QAEDIT.qxp:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:35 PM Page 8
QA Q:
& Got
a
Can I paint a laminate

kitchen countertop?
? Questions About Home Building, Remodeling? Have Your Own
How-To Tip? Visit our website at www.extremehowto.com
and click on Home Repair Forum.
A: It’s generally not a good idea to paint a countertop, because eventually standing water, hot pans, spills,
scrubbing, and general wear and tear can lead to the paint losing its adhesion and lifting off the counter-
top. Worn paint makes for an ugly surface. This rule goes for countertops in bathrooms, too.
Q: Is cement board
impervious to water?
A: No. Water can penetrate cement board. However, according to U.S. Gypsum Corporation, the widely used
Durock brand cement board, when used in a finished application, can store the small amount of water
that gets past the tile, grout and the setting bed. In applications where the cement board may be exposed to
large amounts of water like on exteriors or in gang showers, USG recommends using a water barrier behind the
board and flashing at the bottom of the wall to allow any intruding moisture a place to escape. It should be
noted that while water can penetrate cement board, it does not harm it.
Q: Can metal roofing be

installed over my old roof?
A: In most cases, the answer is yes. Metal roofing weighs less than 1.6 pounds per square foot, depending
on the gauge. Normally, it will not overload existing roofs. Metal roofing can usually be installed right
over asphalt or fiberglass roofing.
Q: How do I re-light the

pilot light on my furnace?
A: The first step is to always read the instructions that came with the appliance. With that being said, here
are some general guidelines: Turn off the appliance at the thermostat or power switch. Turn the knob on
the gas valve to the “pilot” position. Hold down the gas button that sends gas to the pilot burner while simulta-
neously holding a match to the burner, which is at the end of the small pilot tubing. In some cases you’ll need a
long match or a little help from some needle-nose pliers. Light the pilot but keep holding down the button for
about 60 seconds. Then let go, and the pilot light should stay lit. Turn the gas valve back to the “on” position.
Q: When should I water my lawn

after applying fertilizer?
A: The lawn will not reap the nutritional benefits from dry fertilizer until the product is watered in, but you
can usually wait a few days for rain without worry. However, there are exceptions. The experts at Scotts
Miracle-Gro Company recommend that if you have children or pets who want to play on the lawn, or if the tem-
peratures are expected to exceed 85° F, then you should water the lawn right after a fertilizer application. EHT
BigfootFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:03 PM Page 9
Tips for Installing

Footings
Here are some useful tips
to ensure your footings are
installed properly and the
integrity of your project is
maintained:
• You should always make

sure that a qualified
engineer has designed
the footing you are using
and that it has been
tested by an accredited
evaluation firm.
• Select a footing that can

carry the weight of your
new construction and has
met all the proper building
codes.
• Ensure you are placing

the footing form on solid
ground. The more solid
the ground the less likely
movement will occur.
• Install your footings 4-6

inches below the frost line
to avoid potential move-
ment. If you are in an
area without frost, the
footing form should be
placed two feet in the
ground and then back-
filled to hold it in place
when it is being filled
with concrete.
• Rebar is an important
part of installation. Pour
concrete into the footing
system first, insert three
or four number 4 or 5
rebar rods into the tube.
To determine the length
of rebar, measure the
distance from the top of
the tube to the air holes
located on the Bigfoot
Systems® Footing Form
before you place the
system in the excavation
and backfill.
• Don’t risk having to redo

the job, do it right the
first time!
Visit our web site

www.bigfootsystems.com
to view a complete set of
our installation instructions.
ToolSchoolEDIT.qxp:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:37 PM Page 10
TOOL SCHOOL
Demolition Devices
New Tools for the Tear-Down
From ripping bars to powered
hammers, EHT reviews some
breakthrough breakers.
brandish, but the big ones are

usually heavier and can fatigue
the user more quickly.
For example, we recently put
to use a 5-foot breaker bar to
demolish the rock bed beneath
the topsoil in a co-worker’s yard.
We were building a fence, and
the rock was so solid that it
stalled the rented gas-powered
auger we were using to dig the
post holes. The large, pointed
By Matt Weber and Hal Jones
t’s generally easier and more hand tools. Although a sledge
I exhilarating to tear something

apart than to build it up.
Demolition is often the first step
hammer can dismantle a brick
wall, even a heavy framing ham-
mer can make some serious
of a remodeling project, the holes in masonry or wood, and
phase when you’re bringing the do so with a more measured and
worksite back to a blank canvas. targeted strike. Both heavy
With a little elbow grease, a big sledges and large framers can
sledge hammer and a crow bar, be used as basic demolition
you can really do some damage. tools, as well as to drive ripping
Of course, there are some power bars.
tools and purpose-built imple- Pry bars, crow bars, rippers,
ments that help bridge the gap etc. provide the necessary lever-
between hard work and smart age to pull nails and rip up sid- bar worked well at splitting the
work. Here’s a look at some new ing, decking, flooring or virtually rock, but pistoning the heavy iron
demo tools for your next foray any other material you need to rod up and down tired us quickly.
into destruction. pry away from a structure. When If you’ve got lot rock-crushing in
selecting a demo bar, pay atten- your future, then consider forgo-
RIPPING WITH tion to the bar’s length (thus ing the bar for a powered breaker
MANPOWER leverage), weight and quality of hammer that you can find at
For a demolition job, the first construction. The bigger the bar, most rental yards. (More on
category to consider is manual the more destructive power it will that later).
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TOOL SCHOOL
As far as recommended demo-

lition bars, the EHT staff recently
used the Gutster demolition bar
on a deck-board replacement job
and loved it. The hollow handle
cuts down on the weight of the
48-inch bar while retaining excel-
lent balance and lifting power.
The angled head with chiseled
points can get into small
crevices, and the head features
prongs spaced to straddle 2-by
beams and joists. We used the The Gutster Demo Bar is Ideal for ripping up deck boards.
Gutster Series 2 but recently dis-
covered the manufacturer offers
a newly upgraded model, avail-
able in two different lengths and
with an even slimmer handle.
Another keeper comes from
Mayhew Tools. The heavy-duty
Dominator Ripping Chisel is con-
structed of heavy-duty 3/4-inch
steel. Great for removing floor prong chisel with a couple of nail the handle is capped, which let’s
tile, wall paneling or plywood, or pullers, and the shaft goes all you strike the bar with a hammer
for use on any overhead demoli- the way through the handle to without damaging the handle.
tion where you need a medium- the end cap. The patented two-
sized wrecker for easy maneuver- composite handle really shines ELECTRICAL
ability, but one that can really on this tool, because demo bars BREAKTHROUGH
handle tough ripping action. The aren’t usually this comfortable to For a powered approach to
business end features a two- hold. I also like that the end of demolition, we’ll make our entry
point with electric rotary ham-
mers. These tools have an elec-
tro-hammer system with a free-
floating percussion piston. The
impact force of the tool is much
greater than that of a standard
hammer drill. With rotary ham-
mers, the tool supplies all the
impact without any additional
pressure from the operator.
The impaction ramps up
the breaking power
while cutting
down on user
fatigue. In
The Dominator Ripping Chisel from Mayhew Tools

features a capped handle to avoid damage when
striking the bar.
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Little Beaver’s patented torque tube eliminates the kickback found in competitive
one-man augers. It also eliminates the need for two-man augers, cutting labor
time by 50%.
What isn’t eliminated is unmatched speed, performance and quality.

All Little Beaver equipment is built construction tough with commercial
engines, heavy-duty transmissions, and snap-on augers.
For over 50 years, we’ve offered the most complete line of

earth drills and augers for the decking industry.
TOOL SCHOOL
Some rotary hammers, such as Hitachi’s DH45MR, feature dual

operating modes for “hammer drilling” or “hammer only” for chiseling.
Bosch, which developed the SDS tool system for hammer drills, features
a full line of carbide bits, carbide cores, steel points and chisels.
fact, applying pressure can

reduce the impact of the breaker.
These tools are an excellent
choice for boring strategic holes
in concrete or masonry to weak-
en the structure. Rotary ham-
mers are sold as dedicated
units, but also as combination
tools that offer “rotary hammer”
plus “hammer only” action—an
excellent feature for chiseling batteries. They also vary greatly SDS-Plus and SDX-Max Systems.
away tile and mortar. Rotary ham- in size and weight. The breaker points, commonly
mers provide lots of breaking The chucks in modern rotary referred to as “tools” or “steel,”
power in a portable package that hammers are designed to accept usually range in size from 5/8 to
can be used horizontally or verti- special bits for additional 1-3/4 inch.
cally. Most models are corded, strength. The most common The next step up in the size of
but some are available as cord- chuck systems were actually destruction tools are dedicated
less units with 36-volt lithium-ion designed by Bosch, dubbed the portable demolition hammers.
Although rotary hammers provide
drilling action, demolition ham-
mers provide only hammering
action, designed specifically for
breaking up concrete, masonry
and stone. Although not as ver-
satile as rotary hammers, the
dedicated demolishers are better
engineered to withstand the heat
and wear of breaking rock, day in
and day out. Like rotary ham-
mers, portable demo hammers
Hilti offers a “self-sharpening”

line of chisels and bits.
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TOOL SCHOOL
capacity and a “best-in-class” where it excelled at chipping and

impact energy of 11.4 foot- breaking apart concrete footings.
pounds. The control dial offers Lighter than the larger Bosch
two modes of operation: ham- Brute, the 905 sprinted through
mer-drilling and hammer only. A 4 inches of concrete so effectively
12-Position lock mechanism lets that it became the tool of choice
the user select chisel position. when we needed more power than
Constant speed control delivers the lighter units, but did not need
efficient performance even under the largest tool in our test group.
stressful loads. And, variable The 905 uses 1,600 watts
speed control gives the DH45MR of power, so don’t skimp on the
a full-load RPM from 120-240 extension cord or you will end up
and an impact rate of 1,200- with a 75-foot light bulb filament.
2,500 BPM. Hilti’s 905 uses AVR technology
The DH45MR also comes with to reduce vibration and also
Hitachi’s patented IDI technology incorporates a soft-start feature
that enables the aluminum hous- that we found very helpful when
ing to be integrated with an injec- driving Oz-Post pilings and need-
The Bosch Brute is one of the tion molded inner nylon core. ed to cease pounding while we
most rented power tools in history. This technology combines the checked levels. The feature
durability of a metal bodied tool allowed us not only to check lev-
can be used for vertical or hori- els without turning the switch off,
zontal work. However, these tools but allowed us to also drive in
can cost more than $500, so if the posts at a very controllable
you only need it once, then it speed.
would be wisest to rent. The For concrete demolition to
same goes for any larger pieces remove decking support posts,
of demolition equipment you we used Hilti’s self-sharpening
might need. line of chisels and bits. We will
be using the Hilti bits in upcom-
NEW DESTROYERS with the double insulation advan- ing projects to get a better
Over the past two months the tages of today’s plastic housings. understanding of the self-sharp-
EHT staff tested a few new elec- This allows the tool bearing to sit ening feature’s effectiveness.
tric hammers on a couple of dif- in die-cast aluminum instead of With limited use the bits have
ferent projects. These included plastic to extend the life of the performed well.
the Hitachi DH45MR, Bosch tool. A quick online check found
11316EVS, Hilti TE 905 AVR, a new DH45MR selling for $568.
Metabo’s Porsche P9711, as well —MW
as rental yard favorite, the Bosch
Brute. Here’s what we thought: Hilti TE 905 AVR
Hilti’s 905 breaker provided
Hitachi DH45MR the serious performance we
In the realm of rotary ham- have come to expect from
mers, we tested Hitachi’s new Hilti’s line of tools. The
DH45MR. According to Hitachi, tool’s design lends
the DH45MR offers the fastest itself to vertical
drilling and chiseling speeds on applications
the market. Although our staff
isn’t privy to all the tool specs
on the market, we can say with
confidence that it’s a real beast
of a rotary hammer. It boasts a
1-3/4-inch SDS Max breaker
RossFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:08 PM Page 17
AdvertorialFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:58 PM Page 18
Easy Crown Molding®

Breaks the Barrier of
Costly and Hard-to-install
Wood Molding
C
arpenter and inventor, James Jensen, Easy Crown Molding can be painted to
has created a plastic crown molding match any décor.
system that offers budget conscious “People can change the look and feel of
consumers an affordable, easy-to-install their homes and add value to their proper-
solution to wood crown molding. ty with crown molding,” says Jensen. “It
Crown molding lends beauty and value adds a fine finished look to rooms, and can
to a home, but expensive and complicated complement any style, from casual to for-
installation keeps it out of reach for many mal. With Easy Crown Molding, now any-
homeowners. For those who cannot afford one can install crown molding with perfect
to hire a professional, the best solution results, without spending a lot of time or
would be to do it yourself. However, put- money.”
ting up crown molding is not a job for the Easy Crown Molding kits are available in
occasional do-it-yourselfer. Installation 2-1/2-, 4- or 4-1/2-inch molding widths.
requires considerable skill with complex Each kit contains 16 pre-mitered, 53-inch
angles, making it nearly impossible for the long, lightweight plastic molding pieces
inexperienced installer to achieve perfect- with 3M™ self-adhesive backs, plus four
fitting miter joints. outside corners. Sections simply overlap
Born out of the realization that do-it- or can be trimmed to size with scissors.
yourselfers needed a better option, James Prices to cover a 17-by-17-foot room range
Jensen devised an easier way. Years of between $49.95 for 2-1/2-inch molding to
woodworking experience helped him cre- $89.95 for 4-1/2-inch molding.
ate a system that eliminates the guess-work Easy Door Crown also is available. This
and technical know-how required to install over-the-door molding decorates interior
standard crown molding. After six years of and exterior doors and windows with a
development and two patents, Jim peel-and-stick application. Easy Door
launched Easy Crown Molding, a “do-it- Crown simply gets added to the top of
yourself” crown molding system. existing trims and adjusts to fit doors and
Easy Crown Molding is a lightweight, windows from 25- to 46-inch wide. Easy
high-impact plastic molding system that Door Crown is priced at $19.95. Customers
offers a simple, peel-and-stick application. can order Easy Crown Molding or Easy
No special tools or skills are required, and Door Crown at www.ezapeel.com. To view
measuring is unnecessary. A 17-by-17-foot the product installation video, select
room can be decorated with Easy Crown “Click Here to Play Video Clip” at
Molding in approximately one hour. Once www.ezapeel.com.
installed, Easy Crown Molding gives the
appearance of freshly painted, gloss-white, For a free sample, please contact:
wood molding. Like conventional molding, James Jensen at 1-888-392-7335
SPECIAL ADVERTISMENT
EZapeelFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:08 PM Page 19
TOOL SCHOOL
Hilti offers a full line of bits and the Hilti spades saw a lot
for the 905 Series, ranging from of use during several deck-build-
roughing bits, chisels and ing projects. The biggest obsta-
ground-rod installers, Hilti has cle was keeping the spade from
the bits to meet the demands burying itself too deep, too fast.
of its professional customers. The Bosch 11316 also has a
The DIY crowd will like the 905 multitude of tasks it can per-
if they can rent it instead of the form not associated with demo-
larger jackhammers, as its units, the Brute and the Hilti lition, such as ground rod driv-
lighter weight is much easier to 905 were too heavy for any ing, (or rebar driving for land-
work with. For simple demolition extended horizontal use. scape lumber), core drilling and
the 905 would be an excellent Bosch offers a complete line it was even used to drive galva-
choice. The Hilti sells for less of bits and chisels for the nized posts into the ground.
than $1,500 online. —HJ 11316, and the unit will accept For the professional, this tool
SDS-Max bits of any make. The is a winner for its flexibility. With
Bosch 11316 EVS & the Brute variable speed allows the user a weight of approximately 23
In terms of power-to-weight to control the speed of the tool, pounds, it is no lightweight, but
ratio, the Bosch 11316 demoli- allowing slower speed for tile- compared to comparable units
tion hammer outclassed the removal work and other light this is a good choice if you
other units. While it may have demolition and higher speeds expect to be using the drill in
lacked the power of the Hilti for tackling tough concrete horizontal fashion. A range of
905 or the behemoth Brute removal projects. 4.4 to 18.4 foot-pounds per
jackhammer, for all-around dem- Another use for the 11316 blow and a BPM of up to 1,890
olition the 11316 is hard to was the spade bit that made ensure versatility for a multitude
beat. On horizontal applications digging footings in heavy clay of tasks. The online price of the
the Bosch broke through brick soil a quick task. Usually this unit is a bargain at less than
and concrete block walls with chore is back-breaking and time- $800. For the advanced do-it-
ease, whereas the two larger consuming, but both the Bosch yourself person, this tool’s
METABO PORSCHE P7911

In my younger days I dreamed of owning a Porsche
911. Well, finally I got my hands on one. No, not the
rear-wheel drive sports car that dominated auto racing
like no other make has. Instead, this is the Porche
P7911 Multihammer, a joint project of Metabo Tools and
Porsche Design. The outside of the drill says Porsche
Design, the inside says Metabo quality.
The design of this drill is what sets it apart. The tradi-
tional pistol grip and D Handle are replaced by what
appears to be an upside-down configuration with the handle
mounted to the top. This feature is actually an asset when
drilling in close quarters, keeping your hands away from the
dirt when drilling near the ground, but it’s also cumbersome
in overhead use. The weight hanging underneath the handle
takes getting used to, and it will take more time to determine
whether this is a better way of gripping a drill.
The sleek outward appearance of the Metabo P7911 belies Porsche Design’s influence; carbon fibers and
aluminum give the 7911 an air of a tool designed for use on the International Space Station. If a drill could be
considered sexy, then the Metabo-Porsche design 7911 is Marilyn Monroe.
Power and size, the 7911 is the smallest of the hammers tested. The P7911 is equipped with a two-speed
6.5 amp motor that can deliver up to 2,800 RPM and 4,600 hammer blows per minute. If you just go by the
numbers, it’s a little better than the popular DeWalt D25203K, whose single-speed 7.5-amp motor delivers a
maximum 1,100 RPM and 4,100 BPM. But it also costs three times as much and isn’t (yet) available in the
USA. The P7911 is compatible with a wide variety of existing SDS Plus bits. —HJ
flexibility and lower costs make it

For the biggest DIY demolition jobs, the Bosch Brute breaker hammer
a reasonable choice if you have
is a standard in the rental business. Requiring no compressor, the
lots of demolition work ahead and
Brute plugs into any 115/120V outlet.
want to work at your own pace
without regard to rental fees. —HJ
The Bosch Brute is a huge

commercial-grade jackhammer we
borrowed from a local rental yard.
It’s very heavy and very expensive
and only makes sense to own if
demolition (or renting equipment)
is your stock and trade. However,
if you’ve got an immovable object,
the Brute will probably move it.
It’s a cannon. EHT
TOOL SOURCES
www.boschtools.com www.mayhew.com
www.hilti.com www.thegutster.com
www.hitachipowertools.com
www.extremehowto.com 21
BookFeatureEDIT.qxp:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:41 PM Page 22
Get a Helping
Hand from these
Great How-To
Books.
SUMMER
READING
By Matt Weber
FOR THE DIY’ER
ome improvement is a vast field of study. projects such as building a picnic shelter, an
H From electrical work to plumbing, from struc-

tural engineering to HVAC systems, each
discipline is its own science. The body of knowledge
attached carport, a walk-through trellis, a child’s
playhouse and much, much more. The book begins
with a basic overview of tools and materials, then
accumulated over the history of homebuilding could provides detailed plans on more than two dozen
fill not just books, but libraries. The EHT staff has practical building plans, complete with
been building our own library over the years with the materials lists. www.monteburch.com
many advance copies of how-to For the budding DIY
manuscripts that are routinely sent to our office mason to the seasoned
for review. These books become crucial desk refer- pro, The Ultimate Guide
ences for our staff, which we use for all sorts of to Ceramic & Stone
projects. Here’s a look at a few recent selections Tile, from Creative
that we’ve found helpful, and hopefully you will too. Homeowner Press,
It’s only fitting to kick off our book review with the makes a great go-to
latest home-improvement title from Extreme How- guide for selecting,
To’s long-time contributing writer, Monte Burch. In installing and maintain-
Backyard Structures and How to Build Them, from ing these materials
The Lyons Press, Burch provides insightful step- using professional-
by-step instructions on erecting easy-to-construct grade techniques.
outbuildings for any builder, beginner or advanced. You can expect
Included are plenty of schematic plans and in- publications from
progress photography that walk the reader through Creative Homeowner
PexSupplyFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:11 PM Page 23
SUMMER
READING FOR THE DIY’ER
Press to offer top-notch, full-color lumber. Tons of full-color photos is crucial reading for any DIY’er
photography and illustrations, enhance the easy-to-follow who is about to tackle such a
and this handy reference book instructions. challenging yet beautiful project.
is no exception. Offering the www.sunsetbooks.com www.schifferbooks.com
latest information on products Schiffer Books has a classy When it comes to the lighter
and techniques, The Ultimate new hardback titled, Cast-in-place side of landscaping, author
Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile Concrete Countertops. The sub- Katherine Whiteside gives us
provides more than 60 step-by- head says it all; it’s a “Step-by- The Way We Garden Now, from
step projects to help you install Step Complete Guide to Clarkson Potter Publishers.
ceramic, stone, porcelain, glass, Whiteside walks the reader
mosaic, terra-cotta tiles, and through 41 projects for creating
a whole lot more. The book a gorgeous garden. Topics range
includes over 550 photographs from making basic flower beds
and illustrations.
www.creativehomeowner.com
Construction.” Author Tom and fighting weeds, to building a

Ralston is a third-generation patio and growing both ornamen-
concrete contractor who shares tals and edibles. An avid garden-
Trellises & Arbors from Sunset his years of experience creating er and writer on the subject,
Books offers 35 step-by-step beautiful concrete countertops Whiteside explains how to create
projects to enhance your outdoor with a nearly artistic appeal. a garden tailored to your person-
living area. Choose from a sim- Ralston shows how to plan, and al tastes, by mixing and matching
ple wall trellis, built from 2-by-2’s complete a cast-in-place system projects according to your skill
and a sheet of vinyl lattice, or using step-by-step imagery and level, climate and space limita-
build a decorative gateway arbor tons of beautiful full-color pho- tions. Included are expert tips,
with a rounded canopy. Included tos. Learn to start with the explanatory drawings and lots of
are tips for building a trellis with basics and work up to building artful watercolor illustrations. I
copper, as well as building with forms, mixing and pouring, met Whiteside at the last Hearth,
rustic natural materials for an adding colorants and finishing Patio and Barbecue Show in
earthy outdoor appeal. Trellises the countertops. For the profes- Atlanta, Georgia. She shared with
& Arbors explores the top 40 plant sional craftsman, there’s even a me photographs of the immacu-
picks, the basic tools needed chapter dedicated to estimating late garden and landscaping that
and how to choose the right and selling the countertops. This decorate her home; you can rest
JNK7:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:15 PM Page 25
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SUMMER
assured that this is an author basements to attics. The book

who is well versed and passion- provides tools to help conquer
ate about the topic. indoor air pollution along with
www.randomhouse.com the asthma, headaches, conges-
If I Had a Hammer, from for building projects like tree- tions, runny hose and eye irrita-
Harper Collins Publishers, is houses and swing sets, the book tion that can result. This is a
radio host Andrea Ridout’s guide focuses on promoting outdoor great tool for combating airborne
to “More than 100 Easy Fixes physical activity by creating fun bacteria, dust mites, soot,
and Weekend Projects.” Chock outdoor areas for adventurous chemicals and mold.
full of ideas and information on kids that prefer fresh air over www.myhouseiskillingme.com
basic home-improvement tasks, video games. Build sandboxes, Dennis Jeffries’ The Flooring
the book would make a nice sports areas and more. Learn Handbook: the Complete Guide to
entry-level manual for the bud- to build many structures from Choosing and Installing Floors, a
ding DIY’er. Ridout covers every- scratch, or follow detailed Firefly Book, has served as one
thing from basic tools to tips on instructions on how to assemble of the EHT staff’s favorite desk
faux painting, installing a door- from kits, including a pre-fabricat- references for the last couple of
knob and saving energy around ed log cabin playhouse. years. With plenty of straightfor-
the house. The book is a little www.sunsetbooks.com ward installation instructions,
too elementary for the seasoned The next title is a mouthful: design considerations and step-
home remodeler, but would make Jeff May’s Healthy Home Tips: A by-step photography for practical-
a nice gift for most newlyweds. Workbook for Detecting, ly every type of flooring, this is a
My only minor gripe is the book’s Diagnosing, and Eliminating must-own book for the serious
scarcity of artwork, as I’ve Pesky Pests, Stinky Stenches, handyman or DIY’er. Everything
always considered the visual Musty Mold and Other from hardwoods, carpeting,
component of how-to stories to Aggravating Home Problems. Jeff resilient floors, laminates, tiles
be extremely helpful when May is a certified indoor air-quali- and even natural fiber floors are
explaining a project. ty professional and the new book covered. I particularly love the
www.harpercollins.com is available from The John organization of the book where
Build your kids the outdoor Hopkins University Press. the different types of flooring are
headquarters you wanted as a Included are check lists, explana- depicted in exploded diagrams
child with Backyards for Kids tory diagrams and “Do’s” and showing the various subfloors,
from Sunset Books. Loaded with “Don’ts” for conducting your own underlayments and materials
detailed photos and instructions indoor air investigations, from that compose each system. It
BigSliderFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:16 PM Page 27
SUMMER
AN OLDIE
BUT A
GOODIE
makes choosing the right mate- Here’s another great guide How To Build and
Contract Your Own
rials and installation procedure for any homeowner—or profes-
Home, by Larry
easy, even for novice remodelers. sional—who tackles their own Eisinger, was first
www.fireflybooks.com plumbing projects. I can tell you published in 1957.
Workshops You Can Build, from experience that “how-to” This classic how-to
written by David and Jeanie stories on plumbing are difficult book is often credited with initiating the
do-it-yourself movement in home improve-
Stiles and published by Firefly to photograph and explain, but
ment. Although many of the materials,
Books, boasts more than 300 The Ultimate Guide to Plumbing tools and economic conditions have
detailed illustrations that show from Creative Homeowner evolved over time, most methods of home
the building process in step-by- Press utilizes cut-away photog- building are essentially the same as they
step detail. Whether you’re a raphy and explanatory illustra- were 50 years ago. How To Build and
Contract Your Own Home remains the
carpenter, writer, artist or gener- tions that shed perfect light on
quintessential tome on the subject, and
al tinkerer, the Stiles have a the subject. Included is a Eisinger provides easy-to-follow instruc-
workshop for you. Included are wealth of knowledge on every- tions and advice on everything from exca-
plans for simple shops built thing from from supply lines to vating and building foundation forms to
with modest budgets, as well main drains. Learn to install fix- ceiling coverings and sewage disposal.
The book chronicles Eisinger’s personal
as elaborate and expensive tures, how to choose the right
journey in which he, along with friends,
designs for the seasoned pipe, and how to correctly make family and a few subcontractors, built his
builder. Beautiful full-color pho- all sorts plumbing connections own house, and the story is grounded in
tos of a wide variety of work- to keep your home leak-free. his experience and expertise. He explains
shop styles provide design Install a water heater or replace what you can do yourself, what you should
contract, and he provides an estimation of
inspiration, and the authors’ a sink drain; it’s all here in one
the money you can save by shouldering
also focus on the inside of easy-to-read text that comes most of the workload. Simply stated, if you
workshops as well. Create work highly recommended by the have any plans whatsoever to build a
benches, shelves, tools racks EHT staff. EHT house, then go get this book. How to Build
and organizers. This a great www.creativehomeowner.com and Contract Your Own Home, was upgrad-
ed and reprinted four times over a 14-year
resource for anyone building a
period. I’m happy to know Larry Eisinger
new backyard hut; it covers personally and am proud to own a first-
basic construction practices, edition copy of the book, published in
necessary tools, how to plan 1957 from Arco Publishing. You can find a
your location and how to build copy online—I got mine at Amazon.com.
Or, learn more at Larry Eisinger’s
it—from top to bottom.
Home Repair Workshop by visiting
www.fireflybooks.com www.homerepairworkshop.com.
JeffersonToolFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:17 PM Page 29
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ChooseLumberOutdoorEDIT.qxp:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:45 PM Page 32
HOW TO CHOOSE
LUMBER FOR
OUTDOOR
PROJECTS
There are more
choices than there
used to be.
By Huck DeVenzio
Photos courtesy Wolmanized®Wood
ack in the early 1970s, when concrete patios
B were much more common than raised wood

decks, the choices for deck materials were
few: redwood, cedar, maybe cypress. In that same
decade, lumber dealers began stocking pressure-
treated pine, suburban living became part of the
American dream, and backyard decks began their
tremendous growth in popularity.
The appeal of decks remains strong today and is
spreading to other countries. Not only do decks pro-
vide useful, private space for outdoor relaxation and
entertaining, they also add to the resale value of
homes. There are reported to be some 30,000,000
wood decks in the United States, and the number
increases with every new subdivision.
Over the past few years, many alternative materi-
als have been introduced for deck construction.
Newer options include plastic products, wood-plastic
composites and tropical hardwoods. The primary
deck material, however, is pressure-treated wood.
More than 80 percent of U.S. decks are built with preserved wood.
Treated wood, now sold in wood that has been pressure-

nearly every lumber outlet in treated with preservative. The
North America, is chosen by HOW TO CHOOSE most widely used brand of treat-
contractors and do-it-yourselfers LUMBER FOR ed wood is Wolmanized®wood, a
for a variety of reasons: It has name by which people frequently,
a natural appearance, its resist-
ance to termites and rot is well OUTDOOR but erroneously, refer to all pre-
served wood.
established, wood is a plentiful
and renewable resource, and
treated wood is usually the
PROJECTS In much of the country, all-heart
redwood and cedar are rare or dis-
couragingly expensive. Preserved
most economical choice. wood, which is made from plentiful
But, even in preserved wood, species, is economical. It is also
the options have expanded. backed by a long-term warranty, an
Different species of wood are spend extra money for quality assurance not available with red-
treated in different regions, some they don't need, but they should wood or cedar. Some producers
treated wood contains built-in not settle for second-rate materi- offer warranties that extend for the
water repellent, and wood is al in applications where quality is life of the purchaser. Treated wood
available that is re-dried after preferred and beneficial. is used for permanent structures
treatment. ranging from foundation piling to
How can a busy homeowner LONGEVITY seawalls.
sort out the possibilities? If you want to use real wood As a result, more than 80 per-
Just as there’s a time to reap for an outdoor project and you cent of all U.S. decks are built
and a time to sow, there’s a time expect the wood to withstand ter- entirely or partially with pre-
to select high-grade, well-protect- mites and fungal decay, your prin- served wood, according to nation-
ed outdoor lumber and a time to cipal choices are either a natural- al surveys. Even when plastic or
choose more economical pieces. ly durable wood (i.e., all-heart- composite decking is used for
Homeowners building a deck or wood grade of redwood or all- the deck platform, preserved
other backyard project need not heartwood grade of cedar) or wood is usually used for posts,
ArmstrongClarkFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:20 PM Page 35
Mention EHT Magazine via email from our website

and we will send a sample can of your preferred color!
HOW TO CHOOSE
LUMBER FOR
beams and joists because of

OUTDOOR look (such as a retaining wall),
wood’s structural strength.
APPEARANCE
PROJECTS you can buy a more economical
grade.
Appearance is named the top PRESERVATIVE

priority by most people planning The grades of lumber are TREATMENTS
a deck and choosing lumber. The determined by certified graders Since the early treated wood
appearance of a deck affects at sawmills, prior to treatment. decks were built, the wood was
homeowner pride and the deck’s The grade designation is impregnated with CCA (chromat-
value at the time of the eventual stamped on each piece of wood. ed copper arsenate) preserva-
sale of the home. Generally, the higher the grade, tive. Now, however, residential
Treated wood can be found in the higher the cost. lumber is protected by newer
a variety of lumber grades—from For those parts of a deck preservatives composed of differ-
knot-free, close-grained grades to where the wood is conspicuous ent ingredients—they are copper-
lower grades that have more and you want top appearance, based with non-metallic fungi-
knots, splits, and wane (missing select a higher grade of lumber. cides. Wood treated with these
corners where bark once exist- Examples are the platform and preservatives is now available
ed). Other than imparting a railing. High-grade lumber is also from lumber dealers under vari-
greenish hue, pressure-treatment preferred for other projects, such ous brand names; most widely
has little effect on the appear- as gazebos and outdoor furni- known is Wolmanized®
ance of wood; treating makes ture. Where the wood will be Residential Outdoor®Wood.
wood last longer regardless of its unseen (such as a deck joist) or Recently, wood preservatives
appearance. where you might like a rustic have been introduced that con-
Seal-Once is an eco-friendly,
zero VOC, non-toxic penetrating
waterproofer for wood, masonry
surfaces and composite decking.
Seal-Once is available in tinted
formulas and is GreenSpec
Listed. Seal-Once protects vertical
surfaces for up to 10 years and
Can’t tell the difference? horizontal surfaces for up to 6 yrs.
Dealer inquiries requested
New Image Coatings, LLC

150 Dow Street • Manchester, NH 03101
603-669-8786 • www.seal-once.com
Why pay the difference?

Instant gratification — Don’t wait weeks for a Mason to do the job...
take it home & install it today.
• Lightweight, one-piece construction makes for a quick and easy installation
• Less than half the cost of masonry column - can be installed in minutes
• Available in a variety of standard finish options - custom Matching is available
• Incorporates easily into Aluminum, wrought iron, wood, or vinyl fencing
• Perfect for around swimming pools or backyard enclosures
tain no copper or any metals at

all. Intended for decking, rails,
and other out-of-ground applica-
tions, wood protected with such
non-metallic preservatives have
exceptionally low impact on
metal hardware, coatings, saw-
blades and the environment.
The first brand on the market
was Wolmanized®L3 wood.
PROTECTION
Regardless of the preservatives,
different conditions present differ-
ent hazards for wood. For exam-
ple, wood that has contact with
the ground is more susceptible
to termite and rot damage than
wood which remains above
ground. Wood immersed in seawa-
ter has even greater vulnerability.
The wood preservation
industry has established standard
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HOW TO CHOOSE
LUMBER FOR
OUTDOOR
levels of protection that are ade-
quate for the different hazard
conditions. The standards refer
PROJECTS While the preservative treat-
ment protects wood against
termites and rot, it does not pre-
to the amount of chemical vent moisture damage which can
retained in wood after treat- cause warping, cracking, and
ment, or retention, and is meas- deterioration of appearance.
ured in pounds of preservative Some treated wood is produced
per cubic foot (pcf) of wood. extending at least 30 years and with built-in water repellent which
Higher retention levels enable backed by a solid company, and keeps the wood looking good
wood to withstand more 3) the verification of an inde- longer. Several brands are avail-
demanding conditions. pendent and accredited inspec- able; the water repellent feature
The numerical retentions tion agency. This information will be marked on the wood and
are no longer the same for all appears on ink stamps or, more noted on store signs.
preservatives; newer types commonly, on tags stapled to Some dealers offer treated
require less chemical. Look for each piece of wood. The tags wood that has been re-dried,
the intended use (e.g., Above also indicate the intended use either Kiln Dried After Treatment
Ground, Ground Contact, and may include condensed (KDAT) or Air Dried After
Decking) on the wood. safety recommendations. Treatment (ADAT). This step
adds to the price of the treated
CONFIDENCE OTHER OPTIONS wood, but provides a lighter
When you buy treated wood, You can find preserved wood weight product that is less
you do so because you want the products in a full range of sizes prone to warp and can be paint-
wood to last. But what assur- from 1-by-4-inch boards to 6-by-6 ed without a waiting period.
ance do you have that your pur- timbers, in a variety of lengths, Many stores also carry treated
chase will stand up? plus plywood. For decking, a wood specialty products—such as
You can be certain you’re get- popular thickness is 5/4-inch spindles, handrails, ball tops, step
ting properly treated wood if you (spoken “five-quarters”), which stringers and lattice—which can
buy wood with 1) a respected has rounded edges for a make construction easier and
brand name, 2) a clear warranty distinctive look. embellish your project.
Some dealers offer re-dried lumber for a lighter weight product that is
less prone to warp and can be painted without a waiting period.
AgriFabFP:Layout 1 6/11/08 10:23 AM Page 39
HOW TO CHOOSE
LUMBER FOR
OUTDOOR
MAINTENANCE
Every decking material
requires some maintenance, for
PROJECTS wood. This enables a deck to
last longer, and it reduces
demands on forests and other
cleaning if nothing else. resources.
Pressure-treatment provides long- By following these sugges-
term protection against termites tions, you'll select long-lasting,
and rot, but even treated wood is discharges that are considered economical material for your proj-
subject to moisture damage. significant. The preservatives are ect. Now all you have to do is
Unless preventative measures manufactured, in large part, from build it ... EHT
are taken, alternating periods of recycled materials.
precipitation and sunlight will Since growing trees absorb Editor’s Note: Huck DeVenzio is
cause swelling, shrinking, warp- carbon dioxide and since wood manager of marketing communi-
ing, and splitting, which are natu- products sequester carbon, the cations for Arch Wood Protection
ral characteristics of wood use of preserved wood reduces and a sponsoring member of the
exposed to the elements. To pro- greenhouse gas. National Association of Home &
tect your wood against weather Most important for homeown- Workshop Writers. He has written
and premature aging, coat the ers and the environment, the numerous articles and booklets
wood with an effective brand of treatment extends the life of on decks and preserved wood.
water repellent as soon as possi-
ble and then reapply a coating
every year or so.
Paint and film-forming stains
can also be applied but, unless
your wood has been re-dried
after treatment, you should wait
several months for the wood to
dry before coating in order to get
satisfactory adhesion.
ENVIRONMENTAL
BENEFITS
You can feel good about using
preserved wood, an environmen-
tally responsible choice. Treated
lumber comes from our only
major renewable building materi-
al—wood. The trees used are
plentiful and fast-growing, and
they are grown on managed tim-
berlands (not in ecologically sen-
sitive ancient forests or unregu-
lated, third world rainforests).
Treated wood requires less
energy to produce than alterna-
tive building products, and the
treating process generates no
air pollutants or wastewater
INTERNET REFERENCES ON PRESERVED WOOD

Southern Pine Council Western Wood Preservers Institute Wolmanized Wood
www.southernpine.com www.wwpinstitute.org www.wolmanizedwood.com
SuperiorLaminateFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:21 PM Page 41
SpotlightEDIT.qxp:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:53 PM Page 42
SPOT LIGHT
The Laminate Flooring Boom

Your Free Shopping Guide
most sales people have not kept

pace with the new features and
developments in the laminate
flooring industry and, worse
still, some manufacturers have
learned to market and pass off
their “budget” lines as “first
grade.”
If you’re considering buying
laminate flooring, you should
take a few moments to find out
about the features and compo-
nents that make up a laminate
floor. Then decide which features
are best for you and your situa-
tion. Much like the 5 “C’s” when
shopping for a diamond, there
are several key components that
you need to look for when shop-
ping for your laminate floor to
© Phartisan | Dreamstime.com ensure that you get the quality
and value you’re looking for.
Here are the basic features and
the difference they will make in
aminate flooring has installation. In fact, most home-
L
your floor.
remained one of the fastest owners install it themselves.
growing home improvement Even someone without laminate THE CENTER OF THE
trends for the last two decades. flooring experience can often LAMINATE FLOORING
In fact, sometime in the next install a room full of laminate in —THE CORE
year, laminate flooring is project- a day. The cost per-square-foot is Just as you wouldn’t build your
ed to outsell wood flooring. generally much cheaper than home on a weak foundation, you
Laminate flooring has also been hardwood (even if sweat equity wouldn’t want to build features
showing up on many TV home isn’t a factor). And, a laminate on a weak board. The core densi-
improvement shows from “Flip floor will last many years without ty is the single most important
That House,” “Designed To Sell,” needing waxes, sealers, or refin- component in your laminate floor-
“Sell This House,” and “Trading ishing of any kind. Usually just a ing. You want a core made with
Spaces,” just to name a few. dust mop will do the trick. the highest density material pos-
Even Bob Villa installed laminate Since the laminate flooring sible. Not only does this make
flooring in his home. So what market has grown so quickly, a your locking mechanism stronger,
does everyone else know that lot of people don’t know how to since it is an extension of the
you don’t? shop for laminate flooring or core, it also makes it more diffi-
The laminate flooring boom what features they should look cult for water to penetrate the
has been driven by several com- for. Additionally, manufacturers flooring. Softer boards are more
pelling factors including; its have been quick to expand their porous like a sponge and will
outstanding performance, low product lines to fill almost every sustain more damage more
(relative) cost and ease of taste and budget. Unfortunately, quickly than a harder board.
The denser or harder the countless times. Better still, it groove, check to see if
board, the better it will be able to can even take on pet claws and the small angle is painted or
resist dents and deep scratches. come out the winner. The wear “banded.” A painted edge is
Most people seem to prefer the layer can come with a number of sometimes more porous and
sound of a denser board, and finishes from a very glossy flat will hold stains.
claim that it sounds more like “piano finish” to the more popu- The most important feature of
hardwood. lar “embossed” finishes, where the wear layer is its longevity.
Since almost all laminate you can see the outline of a Here again there is a range of
floors are made from a high den- wood grain in the reflection. possibilities. Lab techs have
sity fiberboard (HDF) you’ll need Some manufacturers have prod- come up with a measure for how
to determine where on that spec- ucts with the embossing lines long the floors will last before
trum of HDFs your board lands. matching the colored grain lines being worn down by the abrasion
Some manufacturers will list the underneath exactly, which is of countless footsteps and other
density with a kilogram (kg) called a “registered embossed” wear on your floor. This measure
measure, with the low landing finish. Other manufacturers have is called the Abrasion Coefficient,
measuring in the high 700 kg brought out specialty finishes, or AC Wear Rating. As impressive
range and the high landing meas- like the hand-scraped finish, that as the name sounds the test is
uring in the 900 kg range. You has the wear layer applied over fairly simple. A sanding machine
will see more manufacturers list- an irregular board that gives it a with a specific grit of paper is
ing their board density when it more earthy or rustic look. placed on the wear layer with a
is above the 850 kg range and Manufacturers have also found specific weight on top. Then they
those manufacturers with boards great success cutting a bevel on time how long it takes to wear
softer than that are less eager the edges of the board setting through the wear layer and give it
to publish their densities. If the apart the individual boards. This a rating number. The lowest AC
manufacturer or salesperson is “V-groove,” as it is called, also rating you’ll probably find is an
not forthcoming with that informa- has the benefit of helping to dis- “AC-2.” If another wear layer test-
tion, you may have to find your guise the swelling of an ill used ed lasts 60% longer than the AC-
own method of testing the board floor. Since a floor that has been 2, it gets a rating of “AC-3,” and
density, or choose to work with a subjected to too much moisture if another lasts 60% longer than
more forthcoming company. I rec- will usually swell at the joints, it the AC-3 it gets the rating of “AC-4.”
ommend that you take samples is always more visible with a flat- Most people wouldn’t recommend
of all the boards you are consid- seam floor than a V-groove floor. you use an AC-2 wear layer in
ering, and hit them all with a If you do buy a floor with a V- any room but a guest room, or
hammer, smack the corners or
throw them into a bucket of water
for an hour or two. You’ll be sur-
prised at the difference in the
way the board handles these
tests. And if a board is not going AC Wear
to stand up to your abuse, you Layer
probably don’t want it on your
floor.
THE SURFACE WEAR Decorative

Layer
LAYER AND TEXTURE
One of the key features of
laminate floors is its extremely
durable, clear, wear layer. Made Core
with aluminum oxide and applied
in the factory, this wear layer will Melamine Backing
last many years having shoes (Balancing Layer)
and other objects drug across it
SPOT LIGHT
an area with very little traffic, between the boards, having a wax means that each plank of wood
while an AC-3 is rated for the seal provides another layer of pro- had the “look” of 3 strips of
whole house. An AC-4 is rated tection. Another benefit to the wax wood. Today, there is a 2-strip
for light commercial applications seal is that it prevents the wear pattern, which means each plank
and is better suited for high within the locking mechanism, from of wood has the “look” of 2
traffic homes, or homes with the tiny movement under countless strips of wood. And, the most
large families or pets. footsteps. popular and most authentic look-
ing laminate floor is a full plank
THE LOCKING THE BACKING or 1-strip (single plank). This
MECHANISM Most of the floors available means that each plank has its
Originally, laminate floors were today have a backing material. own grain pattern. Full plank
glued together, which was a Typically this will be a melamine flooring is usually synonymous
messy, time-consuming job. Soon layer (the same material that with the best quality of laminate
manufacturers developed new you’ll find in the interior of mod- flooring. The problem with 2-
mechanisms to hold the boards ern cabinets). This backing is an or 3-strip laminate is that they
together. The first locking mecha- important feature that will help typically have fat seams and over
nisms were knocked together protect the underside of your time those seams accumulate
while laying flat. While installing floor from moisture, provide dirt, especially in lower quality
these new floors was much another sound barrier and “bal- wood floors. Also, those seams
quicker, some found that over ance” the boards. Since changes stand out, which makes the fake
time the boards could “slide” in temperature and humidity seams in between the 2 and 3
back apart. The latest and gener- make the laminate floor expand strip flooring look really different,
ally agreed as the best system or contract a small amount and most likely indicating that your
for installing and holding the the tough wear layer is less likely floor is not authentic. With full-
boards together uses a locking to move, a floor without the back- plank floors, your seams will wear
mechanism that pivots one board ing will tend to “cup” in one more evenly, and therefore look
into the other. Once the new direction or the other. Having the consistent throughout your floor.
board is “rolled down” into the backing balances the bottom and
previous row, it will not come the top so that the expansion FLAT SEAM VS V-GROOVE
apart, allowing the easiest and contraction happen more The difference between a flat
installation and the best holding evenly across the board. seam and a V-groove or beveled
power. If some years later, you edge, is that a flat seam feels
need to replace a board, you can THE BOARD THICKNESS and looks smooth and flat. The
“roll up” however many rows of Early laminate floors were disadvantage is that often, flat
boards needed until you reach almost exclusively 8mm or thin- seams are found in lower quality
the board(s) you want to replace, ner. Today you will find more products and typically are not
and then reinstall the boards floors in the 12mm range. As truly flat or even. They also tend
removed. (This is why it is always mentioned earlier, the thicker to show more wear over time and
a good idea to keep some extra boards tend to “feel” and often swell more with moisture, making
boards, since this type of lami- “sound” more like hardwood the seams even more obvious. V-
nate floor allows you to replace floors, if they are made of a groove is where the seams have
part of your floor without having dense material. The thicker a small “V shape” between each
to replace the whole floor.) boards also allow the floor to seam. This V-groove can be on
Some manufacturers are also have a bit more substantial lock- two sides or all four sides of
using a wax sealer on the locking ing mechanisms. each plank. The most realistic
mechanisms. This new addition look is the four-sided V-groove.
has two benefits. The most talked 1-STRIP (FULL PLANK), Some people have expressed
about benefit is that it makes it 2-STRIP, 3-STRIP concern about dirt getting
much harder for surface spills to There are three standard strip trapped in the V-grooves making
penetrate into the board. Since designs that you will want to con- it difficult to clean. Ironically the
surface moisture can, at times, sider. When laminate first came V-groove was introduced specifi-
work its way into the joints out, it was mostly 3-strip. This cally to collect the dirt from the
floor so that it isn’t rubbed into

the floor causing damage. The
debris that is collected is easily
swept away with a broom, or
removed with
a solid surface flooring vacuum
or attachment.
Price is not always a good
determining factor when trying to
buy a quality product. You have
to consider your time in shop-
ping for your floor, clearing the
room, removing your old floor
covering, installing the floor and
replacing all the furniture in the
room. Always shop for the best
bargain, but be sure not to
skimp on quality. And make sure
that you select a floor that will
endure the daily wear and tear
that your family will surely put
it through.
The internet is a huge grow-
ing resource for purchasing high
quality laminate flooring at ware-
house prices. Since warehouse
space it relatively inexpensive
compared to retail space, and
most internet companies can
run very lean, they are able to
Register To Win!
pass that savings on to their
customers. This is why you can
typically get laminate flooring
products that are of far superior
quality for less online, than you
can buy the lower grade lami-
nate at your local Home Depot
or Lowe’s.
The only downside to purchas-
ing online is the inability to see
the product color and quality in
person. Companies that are con-
fident they are selling top quality
products will typically send you Register today to enter the
samples of their products free
of charge. Extreme How-To and Skil Power Tools
If you would like to speak with
professional flooring installers Monthly Sweepstakes, plus receive the next Digital
and ask more detailed questions, Issue of Extreme How-To absolutely free!
call the professional Laminate
Flooring Installers, free of charge
at 800-603-0727. EHT www.extremehowto.com/xh/aircompressor_signup.asp
SkillSavvyEDIT.qxp:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:54 PM Page 46
SKILL SAVVY
Learning to Cope
How to Make Cope Joints in Molding
flexible blade of a coping saw is

designed especially for cutting out
intricate patterns. Clamp the sec-
ond piece of molding securely to a
work surface and use the coping
saw to cut along the pencil line that
marks the decorative pattern. It
may help to angle the blade to back-
cut the molding. Try to keep the
blade about 1/16 inch to the waste
side of the cutline.
When most of the wood is
removed, use a file to finish up the
cut and clean the profile, revealing a
shaped edge that will be the only
point of contact between the inter-
secting molding pieces. You want to
remove all the wood from in front of
the profile and create a socket that
fits over the face of the first piece. I
own a five-pack of files of various
shapes, but for coping joints I most-
By Matt Weber
ly use a “rat tail” file, which has a
round, slender shape that works
hen installing baseboards, cent wall at the corner. The joining
W
well for fine-tuning small curves and
crown molding (also trim piece is carefully cut to nest edges. A flat file works well on
spelled “moulding”) and against the profile of the first. These square edges.
chair rails, it’s tempting to cut 45- joints eliminate the problem of out- Next, test-fit the molding against
degree miters at the corners and of-square corners when installing the first piece. Check for any gaps
hope for a sure fit. The problem is trim, and they’re less likely to reveal and sand or file away any high spots
that most walls aren’t perfectly a gap when the wood shrinks. for a good fit. Once you’re satisfied,
square. Joining two 45-cut molding cut the molding to length, cutting
pieces may give you a square joint, CUTTING CORNERS the uncoped end square and
but a square joint may not work for To make a cope joint, butt the
your crazy corner. In fact, it seems first piece of molding into the corner The first piece of molding
like every wall is just a “hair” out of and fasten in place. The second should be butted squarely
square. This problem could be due piece of molding should be cut a against the wall and
to a framing error or a buildup of few inches longer than its final fastened in place.
drywall compound in the corner. But length. On the intersecting end of
even a perfect miter joint can devel- the second piece, cut a 45-degree
op gaps when the wood dries and inside miter. Then run a carpenter’s
contracts in winter. pencil along the edge of the mitered
Unlike miter joints, cope joints profile, marking the shapes and
have one trim piece that is cut curves for better visibility.
square, such as the baseboard The traditional way to make the
shown, and butted against the adja- joint is with a coping saw. The thin,
SwansonFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:24 PM Page 47
SkillSavvyEDIT.qxp:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:55 PM Page 48
SKILL SAVVY
butting it against the far corner to tion, I'll describe the procedure for “side” walls, cope the joints where
meet another coped piece on the a rectangular four-wall room with a they meet the installed molding, but
next wall. Nail the molding in place single door. Begin on the wall that is cut the opposite ends square and
and finish by caulking the seam. opposite the door and install a butt them against the “door wall.”
Proceed around the room to com- piece that is square at both ends, The molding on this fourth wall
plete the installation. flush between the two adjacent should be coped on both ends, but
walls. This way, anyone walking into the joints on the “door wall” are the
HOW TO PROCEED the room sees the best side of the least noticeable in the room in case
When coping molding, even the joints. On the two adjacent or of any minor imperfections. EHT
best carpenters have trouble creat-
ing the “perfect” joint. For the best
Use a file to The finished coped joint
looking installation, you should fol-
finish the joint, should have a clean, shaped
low a certain order as shown in the
fine-tuning the edge that nests easily against
diagram. For the sake of explana-
small curves the face of the intersecting
and edges. piece of molding.
Cut an inside miter on the second

piece of molding, cutting the
piece a few inches longer than Opposite Wall
its final length.
1
Butt Butt
Cope Cope
Coping sequence
for base molding.
2 3
Butt Butt
Use a pencil to outline the edge
of the molding profile. Use a cop-
Cope Cope
ing saw to cut along the pencil 4
line, about 1/16" to the waste
side of the profile edge.
HWaccessoriesFP:Layout 1 6/9/08 1:51 PM Page 49
HW Accessories sells quality automotive and auto pet products. The vehicle products are
made to protect the vehicle’s exterior and interior and improve appearance. The pet products
are made to provide comfort and protect your pet and at the same time protect the interior of
your vehicle when traveling.
AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS
Hartop Hoist Pro Rack Tire Repair Kit Bulk Head Barrier
Hardtop hoist are made Pro Rack fits on all Tire Repair Kit is great Bulk Head Barriers
to hoist your hardtopoff pickups and can be used to keep in your vehicle protect passengers,
the car for storage for cargo management, when ever flat tire control and secure
and protection when securing and hauling occurs unexpectedly. heavy cargo inside
not being used. ladders, wood & pipes. Fix a tire in 10 minutes. commercial vans only.
Also sell thousands more quality automotive products for all of your automotive needs.
Custom
AUTO PET PRODUCTS
Rear Seat Protector PetStep II Ramp Door Shield Cargo Area Travel Liner
Custom Rear Seat PetStep II Ramp allows Pet Door Shield protects Pet Cargo Area Travel
Protectors provide your pet to easily enter the interior door Liners provide protection
protection and comfort and exit the vehicle to panels from paw marks and comfort for
for your pet and protect prevent injuries. and dirt when your pet your pet in the cargo
interior when traveling in looks out the window. area of all SUVs only.
the vehicle.
Also sell many more quality auto pet products for all of your pet needs when traveling.
Phone: 800-816-0929 • Fax: 410-356-2435 • email: hwaccessories@comcast.net

www.hwaccessories.com
QuickFixEDIT.qxp:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:55 PM Page 50
QUICK FIX
Drawer Slide Replacement

Getting Drawers Back on Track
shape with a pair of pliers.

Otherwise, measure the drawer
so you can purchase the appro-
priately sized slides from your
supplier. In the case shown, the
plastic mounting plate of the
guide track had broken. So I
removed the broken hardware
and opted for a full replacement.
It may help to take the old hard-
ware to your supplier if searching
for an exact match.
In the case shown, the avail-
able slides were too long for the
By Matt Weber
eplacing drawer slides is cheapo” variety we grabbed at
R one of those annoying

“must do’s” that spring up
from time to time when the old
the local big box store. If you’re
replacing slides at home, it may
be wise to upgrade to some high- cabinet. So I trimmed the slides
drawer hardware wears out. The er quality friction slides or even with a metal-cutting chop saw,
result is a drawer that sticks—or ones that utilize ball bearings. but you can also use metal snips
collapses—inside or out of the Some slide mechanisms install or a hacksaw. Once cut to size,
cabinet, spilling its contents all on the center of each side of the the job is a basic remove-and-
over the place. The only good drawer, others at the bottom replace process. Unscrew the
thing about the replacement sides. Some even use a single existing hardware and replace
chore is that it’s an easy fix. track centered at the bottom of with the new components. The
The only thing “extreme” about the drawer. In any case, the glides, guide tracks, mounting
the project is how extremely sim- replacement procedure is basi- plates and necessary screws all
ple it is. As long as the slides cally the same. came together as a kit from the
are properly sized and installed hardware store. Start with the
level and even, you should have REMOVE AND REPLACE glides, and move on to the
the drawer back on track in prac- First, remove the drawer by tracks, taking note of the loca-
tically no time. pulling it out and lifting the glides tions for the replacement screws.
Shown is a quick step-by-step from the guide tracks. If the A cordless drill/driver makes
guide on how to replace some hardware is only bent or mis- quick work of the assembly.
basic wheeled slides. In fact, the aligned, you can sometimes Instructions are included with
slides shown here are of the “el bend the components back in the replacement kits, but the
QuickFixEDIT.qxp:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:56 PM Page 51
job really couldn’t be more too narrow, or the drawer won’t

straightforward. open/close properly.
Usually the guide tracks are With all the components in
fastened not only to the front and place, it’s time to reposition the
rear of the cabinet case but also drawer by sliding the wheeled
screwed to the side walls of the slides into the guide tracks. If
cabinets. In the case shown, the necessary, add a little lubrication
cabinets were cheaply construct- to make sure everything operates
ed and did not have an interior smoothly. EHT
When replacing the guide

tracks, use a torpedo level to
make sure the slides will travel in
the same even plane, or the
drawer will bind when operating.
Also take careful measurements
of the mounting plates so they
are repositioned exactly in line
with the slides—not too wide or
partition wall. That factor proba-

bly contributed to the instability
of the drawer hardware and the
resulting failure of the mounting
plate. Adding an interior wall to
help anchor the guide tracks
would probably help the drawer’s
performance, but for the purpos-
es of this article, at least the
missing wall affords a nice unob-
structed camera angle at the
replacement procedure.
HotProductsEDIT.qxp:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:57 PM Page 52
HOT PRODUCTS
PORTABLE WORKBENCH FOR THE DIY’ER
Designed with the homeowner in mind, Skil’s X-Bench workstation comes folded for easy storage in tight
spaces. It folds out, creating a work surface that measures 53-by-23 inches. The steel legs are independ-
ently adjustable, allowing users to set the table at the height level that best suits their needs, from 24 to
34 inches. The X-Bench is loaded with features like the new cut channel, touted by Skil as the first cutting
solution of its kind in the industry, located in the center of the bench. Two sections of the table top can be
pulled apart, exposing the cut channel, which can accommodate circular saws up to 7-1/4 inches. The table
top is constructed from a tough MDF material and features peg holes that accept the wedge dog clamps
(2 included with table), allowing users to secure materials to the table when using the cut channel. Ruler
markings are provided on the
MDF wood surface for accurate
measurements. Additional fea-
tures include a miter gauge
slot and a bump-off power
switch. When you’ve wrapped
up a project or you’re ready to
take the X-Bench on the go,
portability is a snap. The steel
legs fold up and the table folds
in half. Just grab hold of the
carrying handle and you’re
ready to go. Several optional
accessories are available and
sold separately, such as a
clamping kit, a drill press, a
tail vise and more. Learn
more at www.skil.com or call
1-877-SKIL-99.
ALL-IN-ONE CAULK
King Kaulk™ Hybrid Polymer, a multi-purpose caulk, sealant and adhesive is the homeowner’s easy choice
for so many jobs. According to manufacturer Red Devil, Inc., King Kaulk is so powerful that one tube can
replace all your other caulks, sealants and adhesives. No more confusing, technical names to figure out in
the caulk aisle; King Kaulk does it all and is strong enough for the toughest jobs. From re-affixing
a loose tile, permanently attaching a soap dish or caulking for a watertight seal, King Kaulk grabs onto
surfaces very quickly, bonding like a strong glue. It forms a flexible, watertight seal and won’t shrink or crack.
It can be painted and is easy to tool and finish.
It can be used indoors or outdoors, and when cured,
resists harsh weather conditions, UV rays and mildew.
And, it has all the benefits of a silicone or polyurethane
without the odor or mess. King Kaulk cleans up with water
and is safe for the environment with low VOC and virtually
no odor. The EHT staff recently used King Kaulk to repair
a hole in drywall made by a wayward doorknob. We’re not
sure if wall repair is one of its intended uses, but it worked
great! For more information, visit Red Devil, Inc. at
www.reddevil.com or call 1-800-4A-DEVIL.
SOUND-ABSORBING CARPET PADDING

A new type of sound-absorbing carpet underlayment addresses two common sound control challenges in
one product. Step Above™ Impact Barrier is a heavy-duty blend of recycled materials designed for extreme
sound blocking while significantly extending the life of carpet flooring. Developed in-house by the Acoustics
Division of American Micro Industries, Inc., Step Above is an eco-friendly carpet padding designed to
perform multiple sound barrier functions. Each type of noise requires different types of sound control meth-
ods. Step Above is made from two different composite materials engineered to significantly reduce airborne
and footfall noise. One component of this
sound underlayment reduces the airborne
sound transmission between the floors of a
building. Examples of airborne sound are
voices, radios and conversation. The second
component of the sound underlayment is
designed for maximum reduction of impact
noise transmission. Examples of impact
noise pollution include foot steps, percus-
sion instruments and vibration from appli-
ances or machinery. Step Above is also
made of highly durable materials with a
minimum of 60-percent recycled content.
Visit American Micro Industries, Inc. at
www.soundprooffoam.com or call
800-558-2058.
SEAL-ONCE WATERPROOFER
New Image Coatings introduces Seal-Once™, which the company hails as the world’s first water-based,
non-toxic, eco-friendly, zero-VOC waterproofer for all wood, marine and composite surfaces. Using NANO
technology, Seal-Once penetrates deeply, is UV stable and protects against mold and mildew, cracking, split-
ting and warping of wood. GreenSpec-listed, Seal-Once eliminates many health and safety hazards associ-
ated with other products because it contains no solvents, petroleum distillates or other harmful chemicals.
This product is guaranteed to perform
for up to six years on horizontal sur-
faces and 10 years on vertical sur-
faces, protecting against water and UV
damage. Seal-Once is intended for use
on decks, siding, fences, exterior wood,
outdoor furniture, docks, pier, retaining
walls, planters and play structures.
Easy to apply and clean up, both clear
and tinted formulas are available, as
well as industrial grades. For more
information, visit www.seal-once.com
or call 1-800-732-5776.
HOT PRODUCTS
BATHROOM REMODEL WITHOUT HASSLE OR HIGH COST
Instead of resorting to traditional teardown/rebuild bathroom remodeling, which can top $15,000 and
put the bathroom out of commission for weeks, homeowners can now remodel without the hassle or
high cost. With Bathcrest EasyCare liners homeowners can use their existing tub, tile or shower as a
base to install new tub, shower or wall surround liners over old fixtures. This allows most jobs to be
done in a day with no demolition or mess at a price
about 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of traditional remodeling.
Because the available tub, shower and wall liners
include a variety of styles with a complete line of acces-
sories including Moen faucets and shower heads,
shower storage niches, tub grab bars, wainscoting and
window trim, homeowners get the dramatic visual and
functional impact of a bathroom remodel without the
cost or hassle. By putting acrylic bathtub liners such as
those by Bathcrest over older tubs, homeowners get a
clean, non-porous finish that encapsulates older tubs.
For more info, call 1-800-826-6790 or visit
www.bathcrest.com.
HEAVY-DUTY SCRAPERS
Hyde Tools offers a new line of professional scrapers
built to take the daily pounding that these tools must
endure while building in comfort features that make the
work easier on the user. The new heavy-duty scrapers are
used for removal applications ranging from floor tile and
adhesives; wall tile and coatings; carpeting and
linoleum; epoxies and plastics; and roofing materials.
The tools are available with 4- or 6-inch high carbon steel
blades with two sharpened edges for twice the life. The
blades can be sharpened, and are removed with two
easy-to-change screws. The welded neck design will not
spin loose, and the die-cast head keeps the blade rigid
under stress. The handle is made from durable heavy-
gauge pipe, which is covered with a large foam hand
area. The end of the handle is fitted with a comfortable
rubber grip for maximum striking power. Visit Hyde Tools
at www.hydetools.com or call 1-800-USA-HYDE.
AdvertorialFP:Layout 1 6/6/08 5:58 PM Page 55
Brick Patios: Do they

really need to be sealed?
Brick patios create a wonderful area of the home for relaxation and
entertainment and, unlike wooden decks, they are considered to be
“maintenance free” … but are they really?
The simple answer is: No they are not.
better sealers on the market, such as
A
lthough brick patios don’t
require the annual regiment of Defy’s Epoxy Fortified Paver Sealer, will
cleaning and staining that a also protect the color of the bricks from
wooden deck often does, if left uncared fading by providing strong, durable pro-
for, patios can easily become unattrac- tection from the sun’s rays.
tive, uneven, faded out and consumed The process for applying a sealer con-
by weeds. The reason for the change is sists of four easy steps, beginning with a
simple and the remedy to prevent it good cleaning. First, power-wash the
quite easy. patio to remove ground-in dirt. Any
First, the problem is that weather con- minor staining, such as rust stains from
stantly attacks your patio, just like every patio furniture can be removed by using
other exterior area of the home. The a little muriatic acid during the cleaning
sun’s ultraviolet rays fade the colors process.
from brick, and the rains wash the sand Secondly, level out any uneven bricks
from between the joints of the pavers. by removing them, adding enough sand
Left unchecked, this erosion will eventu- to even things out, and then replacing
ally cause the bricks to become uneven. the bricks to their original location.
Over time, weeds will grow in the joints Next, re-fill the joints between the
between the bricks, and ants will colo- bricks with new sand by simply pouring
nize in them as well, considering your sand on the patio and sweeping enough
patio their home. into the joints to fill them back up.
The simple solution is to seal the patio And lastly, using a pump-up garden
with a water-based sealer. Unlike sol- type sprayer, apply two coats of water-
vent-based sealers, water-based sealers based sealer to the patio. Avoid over-
will solidify, or harden, the sand in the application by using only as much sealer
joints. This prevents the sand from wash- as the bricks can easily absorb.
ing out with future rains and makes it A good water-based sealer, properly
difficult for weeds to take hold or ants applied, will protect your patio from
to colonize the sand. Sealers also add an nature’s elements and keep it looking
attractive “wet look” to the pavers, great for years to come!
accenting the colors in the stone and
giving a rich, vibrant appearance. The www.defyinfo.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISMENT

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EHTCover:EHTCover5 6/6/08 5:29 PM Page Cov1

The Laminate Flooring Boom Summer Reading for the DIY’er

The Enthusiast’s Guide to Home Improvement

HOW TO CHOOSE LUMBER FOR

Summer 2008 • Digital Issue

LETTER From The

or many reading this, this will be your first exposure to

Extreme How-To is published by

Extreme How-To (ISSN 1540-5346) is published and distributed

The information in Extreme How-To’s editorial content is intended

Printed in the USA

Typically, whole-house heating systems

NOT A BOX OF PARTS!

Our CD-based instruction manual has

We’ve supplied thousands of customers with radiant heating packages.

Can I paint a laminate

Q: Can metal roofing be

Q: How do I re-light the

Q: When should I water my lawn

Tips for Installing

• You should always make

• Select a footing that can

• Ensure you are placing

• Install your footings 4-6

• Don’t risk having to redo

Visit our web site

brandish, but the big ones are

By Matt Weber and Hal Jones

t’s generally easier and more hand tools. Although a sledge

I exhilarating to tear something

Visit our online flooring store!

sales@floorsforlessonline.com • 888-484-8877 • 973-427-4483

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For over 50 years, we’ve offered the most complete line of

Some rotary hammers, such as Hitachi’s DH45MR, feature dual

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Easy Crown Molding®

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flexibility and lower costs make it

The Bosch Brute is a huge

H From electrical work to plumbing, from struc-

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✭ Available underlayment reduces noise and protects concrete underneath.

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