Charles Bickford

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Articles

Fine Homebuilding

1 month ago | finehomebuilding.com | Charles Bickford |Abby Cote

This article details the construction of a new home built on an existing foundation. Faced with zoning challenges and the need for an efficient layout, the team at SALA Architects maximized space with an open floor plan and added dormers for extra height. Unique features include the use of yakisugi (shou sugi ban) wood siding for its durability and aesthetic appeal. The home incorporates energy-efficient HVAC, LED lighting, and high-performance insulation.
Fine Homebuilding

Jan 8, 2025 | finehomebuilding.com | Charles Bickford |Abby Cote

Former senior editor Charles Bickford explores the efforts to preserve kominka — traditional Japanese rural homes — by salvaging, restoring, and rebuilding them in the U.S. These timber-framed houses, valued for their craftsmanship, are increasingly demolished in Japan due to urbanization, population decline, and maintenance challenges. Groups like the Kominka Collective aim to save these structures by repurposing their materials.
Leveling Foundation Walls

May 7, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Charles Bickford |Mike Guertin |Chuck Bickford

Some topics surface again and again on Q&A forums, especially those regarding the most elemental aspects of building a house—the roof, the framing, the trim, or the foundation. Recently, an older post popped back up on the FHB Forum, and its topic still has traction. Member grinnin had posted a question on leveling foundation walls before bolting the sills to the concrete.
Rainwater Harvesting 101

Apr 15, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Charles Bickford |Abby Cote

The process of rainwater harvesting isn’t complicated: Collect rainwater from a roof, and divert it from the gutters into a storage tank. Former senior editor Charles Bickford describes the various storage options for above-grade and below-grade water tanks, with a look into the process of filtering potable water and the routine maintenance owners of these systems can expect.
Take Charge of Electric Vehicle Charging

Mar 6, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Charles Bickford |Chris Casey

Synopsis: Former senior editor Charles Bickford describes the different levels of electric vehicle charging. For most homeowners who own an EV, Level 2 charging will be the most accessible amount of power, but there are a number of installation considerations and EV charging features to keep in mind when selecting a Level 2 EV charger. The Edison Electric Institute (eei.org) predicts that by the year 2030, about one-third of cars (and trucks) in the United States will be battery powered.
Tips on Ceiling Repair

Jan 11, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Charles Bickford |Myron R. Ferguson |Chuck Bickford

Member LargePeopleLiveHere posted that recently, he had a leak in a water pipe in a very textured kitchen ceiling. He had to remove a section of drywall to access the pipe and is planning to repair the hole with a patch with extra blocking, drywall, tape, and compound. He’d like to know if there’s any other prep required, such as removing any other damaged, damp drywall or concealing the water stains, which he was planning on painting with a stain-blocker.
Fixing Rotted Windowsills

Oct 23, 2023 | finehomebuilding.com | Matthew Millham |Charles Bickford |Chuck Bickford

While some forum topics are of-the-moment, some questions will never become irrelevant, and wood rot is one of these. Twenty years ago, reader darrel posted a question about rotted windowsills, and recently a slew of readers revived the thread. Here’s darrel’s post:The house we own now has had aluminum cladding over the window trim for several years. It was either hiding rot, or caused rot, and now I’m in the process of replacing a few windows, and rebuilding the trim on most of the rest.
Replace Rotten Boards in a Roof Overhang

Sep 27, 2023 | finehomebuilding.com | Charles Bickford |Chuck Bickford |Josh Salinger

TinySeedling is repairing/renovating a historic Craftsman-era house and asks, “Is it possible to replace rotten overhang boards … without removing the roofing? I believe the boards are tongue-and-groove, but am not certain yet.”That’s the subject of this FHB Forum Spotlight.
Close the Gap Between the Wall and Flush Built-Ins

Aug 11, 2023 | finehomebuilding.com | Charles Bickford

In a recent post, firsttimeroller writes that he has made several flush built-in cabinets. When installed, the cabinet face frames will be inset, flush to the adjacent walls. He’s also finished each of the wall openings with corner bead and joint compound.
The Woman on the Beach

Mar 5, 2023 | reelfilm.com | David Nusair |Charles Bickford |Joan Bennett

Directed by Jean Renoir, The Woman on the Beach details the complications that ensue after a traumatized soldier (Robert Ryan’s Scott) finds himself falling for the enigmatic wife (Joan Bennett’s Peggy) of a blind painter (Charles Bickford’s Tod).