Fine Homebuilding

Aimed at the professional builder, FH is also a great resource for the amateur and for the homeowner seeking to educate him or herself about quality construction and design. A recent issue on siding installation is a must-read for anyone thinking of having siding installed. I started reading it shortly after I bought my first house, and learned a number of things I used in repairing windows,m plastering, painting and so forth.

But where it really paid off was when I did a major remodeling job on my house, adding a second story and completely residing with cedar. Reading over back issues I found dozens of ideas for trim, insulation, a/c, siding and other details. I learned enough technique to install my own tile backsplash, install a lot of the electrical work, and do all the phone and data wiring.

Required reading for professionals, inspiration for the homewoner, and a great resource for the amateur. Six stars.

Put out by Taunton Press, the same people who bring you Fine Woodworking, along with several other high quality magazines, Fine Homebuilding is unflinching in its approach to home building. You have to do it right!

There is excellent coverage in the techniques of quality home buiding. This is not a magazine which covers putting up "cracker-box" houses. It is about creating a unique home, with features that reflect your personality and meet your needs. Now, that may sound a little high-falutin', but they succeed admirably.

This magazine is not necessarily for the average, amateur do-it-yourselfer. It is geared towards more experienced homeowners and homebuilders who are able to think for themselves. If you are not sure if you fall into this category, pick the magazine up at the newstand before you subscribe and decide for yourself.

My wife and I subscribe because someday we are going to build our own house, and this magazine gives us plenty of ideas and information to aid in our planning. Highly recommended to the right readers.

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Admittedly I am a big fan of everything that Taunton press puts out, but I truly think that Fine Homebuilding is a great magazine. Reader be warned though this magazine is written for professional builders/contractors and serious DIYers. If your building and home renovation skills are any less than the intermediate/advanced level, this will not be the magazine for you. There is not a lot of hand holding here. The authors of these articles often assume that you know more than the basics so that they may cover more high-end techniques.

Bottom line: Fine Homebuilding will give you great ideas for building fine homes, help you achieve success on complicated home projects, and keep you clued in to the cutting edge trends in homebuilding and renovation. If this all sounds like too much for you, take a look at Workbench or Family Handyman magazines.

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I have recommended this magazine to friends/co-workers/family that have shown an interest in architecture, woodworking, and custom houses. You do not have to be a professional to appreciate Fine Homebuilding, I happen to be in the high-end woodworking business, but I am always interested in other methods and techniques of the pro's and this periodical (in my humble opinion) is the best in its class.

Fine Homebuilding avoids the jargon and has some great writers. Their articles come from professionals with real world situations and solutions be it how to properly vent a roof to the best way to layout a kitchen. There are also some novel ideas that come from architects, designs, professionals, and homeowners.

Fine Homebuilding provided me with some excellent knowledge/methods that I have been able to apply to my profession and weekend house projects. I'm sure you will find yourself, as I do, checking the mail hopping your next issue has been delivered.

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I've been woodworking for over 20 years, and this magazine inspires me more than magazines geared for woodworking. The articles are clearly written; the pictures are crisp and to the point (show just what's necessary without slipping in paid name-brand product shots.) And the ads seem to be kept to a minimum (sure, they are in there, but not every other page.)

If you are simply looking for ideas to show a carpenter, or looking for tips this is the magazine for you. Each month you will find:

Safety tips

Q&A

Finishing Touches

Testing power tools

Product comparison

Building skills

Replacing the old (doors, windows, decks...)

It seems that every month there is at least one article that is beyond the scope of most subscribers. But I have found this the most useful, thus far. A couple of these articles have helped me view / approach a project from a different angle, and each with a far better result than my initial design. While most of us may not be able to DO all of the incredible things shown in the magazine, we can take away some great ideas and techniques that we can use in other projects.

The best thing is that two articles have already saved me more money than the one-year subscription cost me!

I highly recommend this magazine in conjunction with Handyman magazine. Together, you can build / fix just about anything.

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