Taunton's Fine Homebuilding Magazine

As popular as home renovation is, there are remarkably few magazines around that adequately cover the subject. Taunton's Fine Homebuilding is, in my opinion, one of the underdogs--and one of the best.

You'll be hard-pressed to find it at your local bookstore (look far in back on the bottom row, and you might find it). I first discovered it at my local library and subsequently devoured the current issue and ten back issues.

I'd seen it around for while but had never picked it up, figuring it was aimed at professional homebuilders (it is). Plus, the title: Fine Homebuilding. And the covers always feature builders with serious-looking toolbelts.

But don't let that throw you off. It's not just aimed at pros or at new construction but at a wide range of topics that encompass home renovation and remodeling. Inside are articles written at a level that nearly any do-it-yourselfer can comprehend. Sure enough, Taunton's covers subjects too arcane for most homeowners (epoxy viscosities, building code complexities, arched dormers, and shingle thatch).

But Taunton's also hits on many topics that any do-it-yourselfer cares about, and with excellent graphics it digs deeper into these subjects than do most of the advice books. How about running cables through existing walls? A review of pin nailers? Concrete mixing? A tip for installing prehung doors (this is a subject that always bears repeating)?

Downside is it's a glossy, large format magazine running currently at steep $37.95 per year. Thanks, but I'll visit my local library to read it.