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There are two ways you can cut trim for doorways: with a miter saw or a table saw. Mitered joints need a 45-degree angle. If you’re unfamiliar with a miter saw, you might want to consider buying extra trim pieces or choosing butted joints instead. One wrong cut, and you’ll need to power up the saw again with a new piece. 

Butted joints—also called shaker style—don’t need a 45-degree angle. Instead, your side pieces attach perpendicularly to the header trim and only require a straight cut.

Yes, you can find ceiling joists using simple tools if a stud finder isn't available.

Using a hammer requires patience and a keen ear. Gently tap the ceiling in a grid pattern, listening for sound changes. A hollow sound indicates space between joists, while a solid, dull thud suggests a joist. Mark the location with a pencil and confirm by tapping from different angles.

Alternatively, you can use a nail, but this method will leave small holes. You'll feel increased resistance when the nail hits a joist. Mark the spot and repeat the process every 16 or 24 inches to map the joist locations. This method is considered less reliable than using a stud finder.

You don’t need a cutting board. In fact, cutting is the original purpose of butcher block countertops. That said, wood is porous and can harbor germs. You’ll need to clean your countertop thoroughly after use. Knives can also scratch the surface. This adds to the patina of the wood, but not everyone likes the look—in which case, you may want to use a cutting board.

Board and batten is a type of wainscotting that uses wider boards that are placed vertically, and it has a much more rustic aesthetic than wainscotting. Common wainscotting styles are raised-panel, flat-panel, and beadboard. Wainscotting is more intricate and will typically use more elegant, subtle trims compared to the more farmhouse-inspired boards of board and batten styles.