Tips on Measuring for Lumber Lumber is sold in lineal feet – the total length of the lumber you are buying – or in board feet. Lumberyards normally deal in board feet, particularly on large orders, but they work in lineal feet equally well. For many homeowner projects, lineal feet are the easiest way to…
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Carpentry & Woodworking
Articles about working with carpenters and other woodworking professionals on framing, interior and exterior trim, furniture building, and other woodworking projects.
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Wooden Shelf Life: Wood Shelf Benefits and Upkeep
Wood can look good in any setting, and a wood shelf can compliment any decorating scheme from classic to contemporary, depending on how you use it. Wood is a time tested and approved building material; it is aesthetically flexible, very durable, and brings a sense of authenticity to any room it is placed in. Wooden…
House Trim Options
Whether a home has wood, stucco, brick or stone siding, the fascia, soffits and trim around doors and windows are traditionally wood. Wood is second-to-none for decorative materials, and for most homeowners, the primary function of exterior house trim is to accent the architecture and increase curb appeal. Since trim requires less building material than…
Building a Pergola: A Guide to Building Your Own or Hiring a Pro
A pergola is an open framework gazebo. They were very popular in Italian Renaissance gardens until the 18th century. However, they experienced a resurgence in the late 20th century and have remained popular ever since.
Carpentry Glossary
Air-Dried Lumber: Lumber that’s been stored in an enclosed area for any length of time. The minimum moisture content of this lumber is 12 to 15 percent, though in the South it can be no lower than 19 percent. Airway: The space made between roof boards and insulation in order for air to move. Anchor…
The Popularity of Old Barn Wood
Today, most building lumber comes from tree farms, cut by machine and heavily processed, but a hundred or more years ago, the wood used to build structures was not only rough cut, or hand cut, but it was old growth forest. And if you’ve never seen a kitchen or living room built with these hand…
Decorating with Wood Beams
Wood beams are a stunning addition to any home. On top of their beauty, they also add character and a sense of history wherever they are used. And if the cost of real wood causes you to pause, there are other options out there. Structural beams can be framed in decorative wood to create the…
Install Finish Carpentry
Anytime you’re undertaking a major home improvement project, it feels good to get the dirty work done. Of course, when you’re finished with that, there’s always the lingering need to install trim work and wood casings in order to finish up the job and make it look professional and presentable. Trim Work 101 Moldings, also…
Wood Veneer: An Upside to Being Shallow
No one can deny the aesthetic appeal of hardwood. It adds character and authenticity to homes, furniture, and even automobiles. The sticker price is, of course, quite high. What some people consider even more daunting is the toll that harvesting hardwood takes on the environment. Because of these factors, many consumers are considering other options….
Nothing is More Sought After Than Birdseye Maple
Birdseye maple gets its name from its unusual appearance, in which tiny swirling “eyes” disrupt the regular flow of the natural wood grain. No one knows exactly what causes this unique look, and since there are no clear indicators for what causes it, it is also a very difficult type of maple wood to find….