To calculate the number of linear feet of baseboard you’ll need, measure the length of each wall of the room you’re installing them in as close to the floor as possible, rounding up to the next full linear foot. If it’s your first DIY molding job, having a few extra feet on hand for miscuts is a good idea.

Balcony construction or replacement typically requires a building permit from your local permitting authority. Safety and building integrity are the main reasons for the need to obtain a permit and the subsequent inspections. In some cases, especially cantilevered balconies, your municipality may also require the oversight and signature of a structural engineer.

Most Cape Cod houses are two stories tall at the peak, although they’re considered one-and-a-half stories tall because the steep roof pitch cuts off a portion of the living space on the second story. Unless you raise the roof on your Cape Cod house to add a dormer, the interior rooms upstairs will lose some usable living space to the sloped ceilings.

You can choose 5/8-inch plywood or 3/4-inch plywood—anything thinner than these sizes may not withstand the impact of debris propelled by strong winds or can be easily torn off by intruders. Remember that the durability of the wood board is crucial, particularly for safeguarding your windows during severe storms. The effectiveness of using wood boards for protecting the investment you made in your home relies on using the appropriate material and ensuring proper installation.