You've probably never hung a door or shingled a roof. That’s why problems are scary. We share concepts, terminology so you can make smart decisions about your home ... with confidence!
How we live at home is changing. More people are working at home, there's home schooling and we’re integrating indoor & outdoor spaces as we spend more time at home. Get ideas for your home.
With Pinterest, Houzz and so many shows about home improvements, it's natural to have a wish list. We share our ideas, your homeowner stories and support you in achieving your dreams.
Your home is a huge investment when you buy it, plus monthly operating costs like utility bills. We help you spend less, get more value & build homeowner equity (like a savings account).
If you're building a new home, or thinking about new house siding for an older one, you've got lots of choices. There are natural and synthetic materials, and you may even replace what you've got with something that looks altogether different. Some are very high-end and custom while other siding materials allow you to achieve curb appeal at an affordable price. [Learn More…]
Plywood is a well known building material. It was once used extensively in new home construction as sheathing on the exterior of house walls, the roof deck and sub-flooring. Today oriented strand board (OSB) has replaced plywood in most of these places to lower construction costs. And now cross laminated timber or super plywood [Learn More…]
Several years ago I did extensive research on how to buy a refrigerator. I wrote several articles to share what I learned with savvy homeowners. Imagine my surprise when I recently learned I missed a very important decision factor. I learned that advertised refrigerator sizes aren't what you think! [Learn More…]
There’s something to be said for a more traditional approach to laundry room storage, with cabinets on the wall above the machines. A top-load washer doesn’t have to look dated. Many new models are undeniably modern, with sleek lines and as many wash cycle options as a front load set and room for laundry storage on the wall above. [Go Explore…]
Outdoor dining is a special treat in summertime, but summer can also be the enemy of fresh food. Mayo-based salads, meats and many other dishes can spoil quickly in hot weather. You'll want to find ways to keep them cold and safe with your outdoor remodeling plans, so here are some outdoor kitchen ideas to consider. [Go Explore…]
When kitchen renovations cost $20,000 or more, you might think you’re stuck with an outdated, inefficient or simply boring space forever. That simply isn't true as this article demonstrates by outlining the various cost items for any kitchen remodel. Budget kitchen renovations aren't new and [Go Explore…]
Have you tried to buy white paint and gotten confused because there are 100s of white paints? With many types of paint finishes, picking the right finish or sheen is just as difficult.And with no industry standard for paint sheens, it's no wonder most homeowners are confused.
One company's eggshell can be another company's satin, matte or low gloss [Start Dreaming …]
After celebrating the year end holidays, it's not unusual for our homes to feel cluttered. So it's no surprise that January is national organizing month with lots of tips to help you declutter your home. And if you realize that clutter contributes to stress, you know but might not want to admit [Start Dreaming …]
Buying paint is easy, but you've got to figure out how much paint to buy. You have to know the condition of the walls, ceiling and/or trim you'll be painting, and whether you need a coat of primer first. You also want to include enough paint for touch-ups later on. This is true whether you're hiring a professional painter or plan to do-it-yourself. [Start Dreaming …]
Hopefully the biggest toilet problem you'll ever have is getting someone to deliver a roll of toilet paper to you when sitting on the throne. But toilets have lots of moving parts and get lots of use. That means you'll probably need to deal with at least one toilet problem in your life as a homeowner. So before you end up with a ridiculous bill from a plumber, you should really learn how to repair a toilet. [Save More…]
Have you seen windmills in Holland? Or driven past wind farms with hundreds of modern windmills? They show how yesterday's windmills have evolved to capture the wind, sunshine and more. Because sustainable energy means no matter how much we use, there's just as much energy tomorrow. So let's look at how [Save More…]
Buying a house used to be simple. Most realtors told you it's all about location, location, location and for many years this was true. That's because “… You can buy the right home in the wrong location. You can change the structure, remodel it or alter the home's layout but, ordinarily, you cannot move it. It's attached to the land,” according to TheBalance.com … [Save More…]
