Fine Homebuilding – Issue 338 AprilMay 2026 – Fine Homebuilding

Glass panels in each space frame views of the courtyards and allow daylight to fill the rooms. in a climate where air conditioning is necessary and used for much of the year. Specht also had the house prewired for a future photovoltaic array and battery-backup power. On the fringe Though highly personal, Stealth House offers lessons for future housing: Daylight and outdoor connections need not come from perimeter windows alone, infill city lots can be architecturally refreshed, and compact homes can feel open and spacious without giant footprints and rarely used spaces.

It is also an argument for designing for yourself, not for the market. “People always think about resale value,” said Specht. “But this project was about building exactly what we needed. Not everyone can take that risk, but it was worth it.” Specht and his wife describe the house as “zen-like” and unexpectedly calming.

The alley, once overlooked, has been renewed with landscaping, lighting, and a building that invokes curiosity. The house demonstrates that unconven- tional design choices, when rooted in careful consideration, can have broad appeal. The architect hopes to continue refin- ing this typology. “It started as an experiment,” he said. “Seeing it built has been incredibly satisfying. It proves that these overlooked scraps of land can become something beautiful, livable, and sustainable.” □ Lauren Jones is a Texas-based journalist who covers architecture and design.

Photos by Leonid Furmansky. tucco, when done right, is a popular cladding choice for many reasons, including its traditional looks and long lifespan. But if you talk to any industry veteran who was around for the EIFS crisis of the late 1990s and early 2000s, you may well hear some cautionary tales of stucco-based claddings turning the buildings they covered into mush.

The past failures of stucco systems, and related products like EIFS (a type of stucco that includes exterior insulation), have given these systems a black eye— and rightfully so. There’s no denying that the poorly understood and installed stucco systems of past years have caused significant building-durability problems.

Tablet editions free to subscribers Our digital editions include all of the magazine’s content, plus searchability and a host of interactive extras. Access is free with your print subscription or your FineHomebuilding.com online membership. Download the app at FineHomebuilding.com/apps. 30 No Windows, No Problem Can a house with no exterior win- dows still feel bright, comfortable, and connected to the outdoors?

BY LAUREN JONES COVER STORY 40 Stucco With a Space A modern approach to long-lasting stucco that won’t rot your building BY DOUGLAS CAMERON TOOL TEST 48 Prosumer Airless Sprayers Can an affordable paint sprayer give results a pro would be happy with? BY TYLER GRACE 56 Healthy Homes Need Healthy Water How water testing and treatment are critical to ensuring clean, safe water from your faucets BY CAROLINE BLAZOVSKY 62 Foundation for a Problem Site Helical piles and grade beams support a reinforced slab over wet, expansive soil BY DON WILLIAMS, P.E.

Cover photo by Grant Baver; drawing by Christopher Mills ISSUE 338 // APRIL·MAY 2026 Today, ERV, HRV, and make-up air systems can breathe in beautifully. Manufactured to the same exacting specifications as the DryerWallVent, the brand-new FreshVent™ is also built tough in the USA, with sleek lines and a low profile that enhances every home’s beauty.

Made from Galvalume® with a durable powder coating—that is cured to perfection—it delivers a polished finish that stands up to the elements. Visit FreshVent.com to learn more. Breathe In Breathe In Matches the DryerWallVent Balanced Air & Beautiful Exteriors 888-443-7937 Visit FreshVent.com Made in the USA Deep-Drawn Galvalume® Steel Powder Coated – Shown White Model FRV4W TIMBER MASTER 20 82 COMPACT COTTAGE 70 16 76 BETTER DECK DRAINAGE PITCHED POSTS BACK-SAVING BLOCKS24 8 OUT OF PRINT 10 CONTRIBUTORS 12 LETTERS 16 TIPS & TECHNIQUES ▪ Batch-cut shoe returns ▪ Prevent rotted post tops ▪ Stop spinning screws …and more 20 THE RESTORATIONIST Glazing a wood window 24 TOOLS & MATERIALS ▪ Mechanical muscle ▪ Affordable ventilation ▪ Precision blades worth paying for …and more 70 HOUSES BY DESIGN 76 ASK THE EXPERTS ▪ Debris-free decktop ▪ Smoke detector woes 78 BUILDING BUSINESS How to be a great employer 82 KEEP CRAFT ALIVE Stephen Morrison, timber framer OLD- HOUSE WORK Don’t Sacrifice Your Design for Your HVAC The Unico System delivers high-efficiency heating and cooling without compromising design.

Its small-duct system installs discreetly in new construction or retrofit projects, fitting tight spaces without bulky ductwork. With in-house design services and AIA CES-approved continuing education courses, Unico makes it easy for architects and builders to design and build with confidence.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

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