Blog
Charitable Causes
Tommy understands all too well that life is full of challenges, struggles and sometimes it’s just downright mean. As a teenager he learned first hand how drug and alcohol abuse can turn a life upside down. For him, it meant dropping out of high school, a couple of...
Natural Ventilation
Natural ventilation relies on the wind and the "chimney effect" to keep a building cool. The wind will naturally ventilate your home or business by entering or leaving windows, depending on their orientation to the wind. When wind blows against your home, air is...
Window Properties and Design
The doors and windows that are right for you will depend on the climate you live in and the design of your house. Windows can make or break a building project. Choose wisely and your home will be comfortable, attractive, and easy to maintain. Buy the wrong ones and...
Your Home’s Exterior: Comparing Paint and Siding
It's tempting to judge a home by its cover, but for decisions about paint or siding, you need to go a little deeper and consider what's already there, what shape it's in, your budget and aesthetics. With advances in paint and siding, how to color and protect your home...
Cedar Shingle Maintenance
Cedar roofing and siding are a classic building material, and with proper installation, care and maintenance will last 20 or more years. Left untreated, they will weather to a natural gray, or they can be painted or stained. Cedar shakes and shingles are highly wind...
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are an economical roofing solution. But shop around, because not all shingles are the same. Asphalt shingles are economical and versatile, which may be why they represent more than 80 percent of the roofing market. They're relatively inexpensive to...
Building a Tighter Roof with Roofing Underlayments
Roof underlayments are designed to protect the roof sheathing and structure from moisture and penetration. Advances in materials and technology have created more options and increased manufacturers’ warranties. Roofing underlayment was originally used for temporary...
Six Steps to Better Roof Protection
The weak link in most existing houses is in the connection of the roof sheathing to the rafters or roof trusses. The weak link in most existing houses is in the connection of the roof sheathing to the rafters or roof trusses. There are several ways to strengthen this...
Roofs: Design, Function and Maintenance
A good roof is graceful, it's good-looking, and it ages well. To realize that end, however, you'll need to do three things: design the roof appropriately, build it right, and take good care of it. Your roof is critical to basic house performance. It gives your house...
Roofing Materials
Cost, ease of installation and appearance are all factors when choosing a roofing material. While asphalt shingles account for close to 90 percent of all residential roofing jobs, they certainly aren't the end of the story when it comes to roofing. Sheet metal, cement...
The Carpenter’s Square
The carpenter's square is a deceptive tool. It looks simple, it's a ruler with an elbow, a straightedge that turns a corner. Yet it is a great deal more, because it can function as a sophisticated arithmetical guide to many of the complexities of laying out a...
Stairbuilding Basics
Take the quick way to the top with a simple lesson in basic stair construction. Building nice staircases takes patience and skill. But it's worth the effort: beautiful stairs help make a home special. But, before you break out the tape measure and circular saw,...
Expanding a One-Story House: Build a Second Story or a First-Floor Addition?
You’re expanding your home, but should you build up or out? Enlarge the footprint of your single-story residence or add a second floor? Before you call in the architect, here’s what you need to consider. Julie Languille and her husband, Larry, love everything about...
Load-bearing Walls
Before you grab a hammer, saw or crowbar to remove an unwanted wall, make sure you understand its role in holding up your house. Today's typical floor plan often includes bright and open spaces with high ceilings. Before the advent of today's modern building...
Framing a Garage Workshop
When choosing the framing and construction materials for your garage, consider how it will be used, what fire and safety requirements you may have, and what additions you may need later on. Today’s garage holds cars, big toys, and serves as a central home workshop or...
Laminated Veneer Lumber
The laminated veneer lumber (LVL) manufacturing process creates a strong and stable product that can reliably support large areas. Wide open spaces are great for country music singers, but can be a real headache for builders. To create large, open rooms, builders and...
Insulating Concrete Slabs, Foundations and Basements
Most residential concrete-foundation systems will come into contact with the ground and face moisture-management and heat-loss issues. Protecting the foundation of the home starts with the right barrier. Concrete slabs, basement foundation systems, and crawl-spaces...
Green Homes Series: Foundations
A solid foundation is essential for any home. But today’s emphasis on “green” suggests that other factors be considered as well. A good foundation is important. It helps a house withstand vertical and horizontal loads and protects from frost heaves. Foundation Basics...
Vapor Diffusion Retarders and Air Barriers
Vapor diffusion retarders, air retarders, and air/vapor retarders all relate to the interaction of temperature and moisture in and around the building envelope. A vapor barrier or vapor diffusion retarder (VDR) is a material that reduces the rate at which water vapor...
Meet the North Bennet Street School Students
Want to know what life was like for Tommy when he attended the North Bennet Street School? Check out this great interview by Frank Byers (of Woodcraft blog fame) of six NBSS students who had pieces featured at WoodExpo 2011. This is a great mini-education for anyone...
Meet Tommy at the Western Mass Home & Garden Show
Tommy will be appearing at the Western Mass Home & Garden Show next Saturday, March 26th. The Show will take place at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds in West Springfield, MA. Tommy will be hanging out at the WGBY booth in the late morning, so swing by...
WoodExpo 2011 Gallery is Up!
The photo gallery for WoodExpo 2011 is now live! Be sure to drop in and check out all the shots of work on display, priceless presenter moments and behind the scenes stills of Tommy and the crew.
The Woodworking Shows Come to Virginia
All you Virginia-based woodworkers should plan to head over this weekend's Woodworking Show in Chantilly, VA. The show will be held in the North Hall of the Dulles Expo Center from Friday, March 11 to Sunday, March 13. Hours are: Friday 12-6 Saturday 10-6 Sunday 10-4...
Fun in the Shop
Al demonstrates that it's not all work and no play in Tommy's shop.
Watch Tommy’s Segment on the Nate Berkus Show
Did you miss Tommy's appearance on the Nate Berkus show yesterday? Fret not, the segment is viewable below and on the show's website. Tommy addresses a common furniture repair issue that plagues households near and far, using a solution accessible to everyone. No...
Tommy on the Nate Berkus Show
Tune in to the Nate Berkus Show today and see Tommy address some common furniture repair dilemmas! Check your local listings at: http://www.thenateshow.com/station-finder. This should be a great episode. Nate does some amazing work with interior design so it will be...
Two Tommy Interviews
Andrea Galvin of Canton Community TV popped into Tommy's shop in Canton, Massachusetts to chat with Tommy, Al and Mark Libby about Rough Cut and his beginnings as a woodworker. Prior to heading into the St. Louis Woodworking Show last week Tommy sat down with KTRS...
Win a Day with Tommy Mac
Want to meet Tommy and hang out on the set of Rough Cut? Woodcraft just announced the "Win a Day with Tommy Mac" contest, where the winner gets to travel to Canton, Massachusetts, this July to meet Tommy and watch a day of filming. Details on entering the contest can...
Winning Projects Announced for Lumberjocks “Art of Joinery” Contest
If you haven't already, pop on over to the Lumberjocks site to take a look at the winners of their latest "Art of Joinery" contest. The top 3 winners were selected out of 93 submissions, with the 1st place going to user "GaryK" for his fantastic picture frame that...
Tommy at the St Louis Woodworking Show
All you St. Louis area woodworkers should head over to the Woodworking Show taking place there this weekend at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, IL, to meet Tommy and hear his presentation on Building Better Furniture. The show runs from Friday - Sunday, and...