Fernando Pagés Ruiz

June 15, 2023

Fernando Pagés Ruiz is ProTradeCraft's Latin America Editor. He is currently building a business in Ecuador and a house in Mexico. Formerly, he was a builder in the Great Plains and Mountain States. He is author of Building an Affordable House and Affordable Remodel (Taunton Press).

Author - All Contributed Content

July 3, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

Roofing in Ecuador

Using modern pneumatic tools, a roofer plies an ancient craft in Ecuador

May 31, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

A common fencing material in Central and South America is cane stalks, but these are something else entirely.

Decks & Porches

May 29, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

Old School .dwg: Drawn-on-Wall Graphics?

These apartment plans were drawn by a local draftsman using an older version. dwg — Drawn on Wall Graphics.

Tile, Flooring, Drywall

May 25, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

Green Roofs Are Not a New Thing

The original “green roof” technology, thriving in the lush sierras of Tamazula, Mexico

May 22, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

Builders Don’t Use Vertical Siding as Much as They Should

Vertical siding offers easy solutions to some of the problems with horizontal siding

Siding & Exterior Trim

May 11, 2015

Updated: June 4, 2024

Vinyl Siding Tip: Wide Inside Corners

A bellyband turned sideways and placed vertically makes a great inside corner

Construction Phase

May 4, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

Sharp eyes, precise blows — and tender fingers trusting — the carpenter’s aim.

May 2, 2015

Updated: May 3, 2024

Brick Ceiling Arches Hidden With Plaster

Ceilings in Mexico are often made with bricks laid in “bobeda” style, or in arches between steel beams...

Construction Phase

May 2, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

There is Something About Ruins

The beauty that often comes with deferred maintenance.

April 27, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

Cabinet Black Magic

An inexpensive way to give cabinets an antique, glazed look is to darken the kerf along crown molding or door panels using a black marker.

Kitchens & Baths

April 20, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

Flood Control: If You Can't Beat 'em, Join 'em

During rainy season in the Municipio de Tamazulo, in Jalisco, warm water drops from the sky in torrents,

April 13, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

Organic Wall Plaster in Ecuador

Straight from the horse's — er, umm, well ...

Tile, Flooring, Drywall

March 29, 2015

Updated: June 15, 2023

Crown Molding Special Effects

Bring scale and proportion to a room without using armloads of trim stock.

Trimwork & Cabinetry