Dan Morrison

June 15, 2023

Dan Morrison is a founding editor of ProTradeCraft.com, where he is also the editor-in-chief. Fun fact: Dan is also a founding editor of Green Building Advisor and executive editor of Fine Homebuilding.

Author - All Contributed Content

December 20, 2023

Holiday Bandsaw Magic: Make a Reindeer from a Block of Wood

A pretty cool parlor trick that makes trade shows go quickly, and a great way to 'Wow' the kids.

Trimwork & Cabinetry

Woodworking

Video Treats

video

December 18, 2023

Window Retrofit—From the RO, Out

Down to the studs: removing the old window, along with the interior- and exterior trim, to the rough framing

Construction Phase

Article

October 23, 2020

Updated: November 28, 2023

Rainscreen Siding Guide

Walls that can drain and dry last a lot longer than walls that stay wet. An air gap between the siding and sheathing lets both dry independently.

WRB & Flashing

Jobsite Handbooks

aggregation

November 10, 2023

WRB and House Wrap Installation Guide

House wraps and weather barriers can play a critical role in a high-performance wall assembly. In fact, some people consider the WRB to be a BFD.

WRB & Flashing

Jobsite Handbooks

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September 22, 2023

Replace An Entry Door, Part 1: Remove Old Door and Prep Rough Opening

This front door with built-in levels installs fast, and the composite frame means it will long last

WRB & Flashing

Video

video

September 16, 2023

Siding Installation Using Truexterior Nickle Gap (ptc@home 6)

A polyash shiplap siding that is environmentally polite and durable as heck

Siding & Exterior Trim

Video

video

September 3, 2023

Updated: September 11, 2023

Exterior Window Trim Out on Walls With Exterior Foam Insulation (ptc@home part 5)

Window trimout is probably the trickiest part of installing exterior trim work over two inches of styrofoam

Siding & Exterior Trim

Trimwork & Cabinetry

Video

video

August 19, 2023

Updated: August 21, 2023

Retrofitting Tyvek on a House with Existing Windows (ptc@home part 2)

Integrating a new WRB with existing windows keeps the water- and air-control layers continuous

WRB & Flashing

Video

video

August 17, 2023

Subfloor Installation Guide

This collection of videos and animations illustrates standard subfloor installation over wood framing and a floating subfloor assembly over a concrete slab (or a 'slabless slab' as the case may be).

Framing

Jobsite Handbooks

aggregation

August 11, 2023

Welcome to ptc@home Overview

Replacing the siding is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to upgrade the energy performance of a home

Insulation & Air Sealing

Siding & Exterior Trim

June 20, 2023

Updated: July 20, 2023

Floor Framing Layout: Cantilevers and Stair openings

Double up key joists to make headers you can hang joists from

Framing

June 9, 2023

Updated: June 27, 2023

Building Resilience (9): A Redundant Water Management Strategy

Two WRBs and two rain screen systems accommodate two types of wall cladding

WRB & Flashing

Video

video

April 25, 2023

Updated: July 13, 2023

Bucking Out a Door for Continuous Exterior Insulation

To provide nailing for flanges or door jambs, weave lumber bucks into the exterior insulation

Framing

Insulation & Air Sealing

video

March 28, 2023

Updated: July 13, 2023

The ptc@home Continuous Exterior Insulation Detail

The process for installing continuous exterior insulation over 1x6 T&G sheathing with existing windows

Insulation & Air Sealing

WRB & Flashing

Details in 4D

video

March 27, 2023

Updated: July 13, 2023

Beat the New Energy Code: 3 Steps to Better Walls

How to tighten walls without turning them into mush

Construction Phase

Framing

March 14, 2023

Updated: July 14, 2023

ProTradeCraft's Skills Challenge Pay Day Dance Contest!

A WHOLE new jobsite skill: TikTok dancing in a Tyvek suit

Construction Phase

Safety

March 4, 2023

Updated: July 17, 2023

Weatherization Nation 7: Rainscreen on a Roll

Mesh sheeting creates a drainage space between the siding and weather-resistive barrier (WRB) allowing walls to dry much faster which makes them last much longer.

WRB & Flashing

Video

video

February 24, 2023

Updated: July 17, 2023

Weatherization Nation 6: Roof Dry-In, Flashing, and Underlayment

Protect the edges from sideways rain, and overlap like you've done it before!

Roofing

Video

video

February 16, 2023

Updated: July 17, 2023

CEUs for Contractors: The What, How and Why of Thermal Envelope Improvements

PTC's Award-Winning Continuing Education Tour covers difficult new energy code requirements for roofs and walls

Roofing

Insulation & Air Sealing

WRB & Flashing

Jobsite Handbooks

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February 6, 2023

Updated: June 15, 2023

9 Ways to Hide a Minisplit

These mighty-mites can provide heating, cooling, and air-mixing for a well-insulated house, but they look so darned—European. It is hard for many Americans to warm up to them.

HVAC & Mechanicals

Photos

photos