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The kitchen counters are being installed, but need to be crafted on site since they were too large for the high-rise elevator. Brad Brewster of Princeton Custom Cabinetry explains that one set of counters was prefabricated at the shop, then brought to the apartment in pieces. The installers make a field joint to bring the two sections together, first by applying contact cement to the two edges, then angling the edges together so that the Formica seam forms tightly as the counter is lowered into place. The counters are then secured with screws from underneath. The second part of the installation requires on-site assembly. The condo's long kitchen counter ends in a round dining center. The entire installation will be done with one large piece of Formica that is 5 foot by 12 foot, making a seamless surface down the entire length of the counter. For the specialty rounded counter, Princeton Custom Cabinetry uses a Verola plywood from South America that is strong and provides a stable undercore for the suspended counter. Once in place, a stainless steel post will serve as a leg for the rounded counter, giving it extra support. The plywood is covered with contact cement that is allowed to dry for five minutes. Spacers are then laid across the face of the plywood so that the Formica can be positioned correctly without getting stuck to the adhesive before the crew is ready. Ernie Wernecke removes the last spacer showing Bob how a tight consistent seam is made using this technique.

Bob meets Mark Newton of Solid Wall Systems to learn about the solid-pour walls that will frame this storm-resistant home. Bob watches the crew attach number 5 steel reinforcing bars to the existing rebar that was set in the stem walls and slab as they were poured. These up-rods or vertical rods will run the entire height of the walls. They are tied to the foundation bars with a battery-powered wire gun. Once the vertical rods are set, the crew will measure for and mark the openings before setting the wire mesh that will further reinforce the walls. Newton shows Bob how headers are constructed using stirrups that tie in the rebar and make it ready for the pour within a specialized header form. Newton then shows Bob the locking forms that will be used for the pour and the clips that hold them together. Spacer wheels are attached to the mesh to keep it centered in the wall between the two forms. Break-free wall clips are also attached to hold the two forms together. These clips are designed to break away once the forms are removed.

Ryley installs the built-in vanity from Crown Point Cabinetry in the downstairs master bath. The first step is to attach the three cabinet units together. Ryley uses a cabinet clamp to draw the stiles together and hold the faces flush while he screws the stiles together. He attaches spacer blocks at the back of the cabinets to solidify the unit. Next Ryley measures the location of the holes for the lavatory waste pipes and then drills the holes with a hole cutter. Then, having marked the studs, he attaches the unit to the wall with three inch screws. Bob admires the satin finish of the cherry doors and the chrome hinges, so appropriate for a bathroom, that come on and off easily with a Phillips head screwdriver. He also notes the drawers' dovetail construction and bottom-mount sliders.

This western red cedar lattice fencing was a one-day project designed to screen the home recycling center. Western red cedar is naturally weather-resistant and repels insects, making it a perfect choice for this outdoor project. Download PDF Plans

Cracked and broken bathroom tiles are easily removed and replaced. There may be water damage to the backing behind the tile, so be prepared for a longer job.

The skin of the modular home is finished with windows from Pella. The Pella double-hung Architect Series six over one design was chosen for the project. The upper window is a simulated divided pane. The muntin bars on both sides of the double pane glass are adhered directly to the glass and additional muntin grills/dividers are installed between the two panes to give the appearance of six individual panes. Most of the modular home pieces will by delivered to the home site without siding, however one section is being sided with a board and batten product from Georgia-Pacific. It reflects an old design where large vertical boards were used to side a building then smaller boards were used to cover the gaps between these. In our application, instead of using vertical boards we are using four by eight sheets of engineered wood siding, which has a thirty-year warranty. Then battens are a product called PrimeTrim, also from Georgia Pacific, that are cut in half and used to simulate the traditional look. Both products come primed from the manufacturer.