Fine Homebuilding

6 days ago | finehomebuilding.com | Patrick McCombe |Patrick Mccombe

Welcome to the Fine Homebuilding podcast, our weekly discussion of building, remodeling, and design topics aimed at anybody who cares deeply about the craft and science of working on houses. This is senior editor Patrick McCombe. I’m joined by Fine Homebuilding associate editor Grant Baver, Fine Homebuilding editorial advisor Mike Guertin, and producer Andres Samaniego. Please email us your questions to . You can find previous podcasts and check out the show notes at finehomebuilding.com/podcast.

6 days ago | finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote

In episode 684 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, longtime listener Adam writes in with several questions about a 1907 Colonial Revival home he’s working on. First, he wants to know if the podcast crew can recommend a porch flooring material that’s more durable than fir but still appears historic. Next, he asks if it’s possible to repair box gutters without totally relining them. And finally, Adam wants to know if the team has any recommendations for a railing on a widow’s walk.

1 week ago | finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote

Jack Bassett, one half of Hammer and Bell Design-Build, shares an easy, repeatable method for cutting curved head casings. Drawing on lessons from years of hands-on experience and mentors, he breaks down a seemingly complex task into clear, manageable steps. The approach reflects a core belief: Good work doesn’t require fancy tools—just a sharp eye and a steady hand. Clear and SimpleThe way that I was brought up in the trades was extremely simple.

1 week ago | finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, so we’ve pulled together some of our favorite tools and gear that are perfect for the moms who love to build, fix, design, and create. From whole-house renovations to fixing a wobbly table and everything in between, these gifts will help the women in your life accomplish anything they set their mind to. Durable Work BootsKeen Utility Dover Boots • Weight: 720 g (per boot) • LeatherThe Keen Utility Dover boots are made specifically for tradeswomen.

1 week ago | finehomebuilding.com | Abby Cote

In this time of weather extremes and power disruptions, it’s important to learn from the past as we think about the future. Many of us live in houses that were designed to be comfortable year-round — owing to the height of the ceilings, the thickness of the walls, and the size of the windows. With volatile weather expected, we and our houses must continue to adapt.