Here’s our guide to improving, maintaining, and enjoying your house. With information on everything from home technology and reducing energy costs to outdoor living and working from home, these articles will help you care for your house and get the most out of living there.
We’ve all seen the blue Energy Star logos on appliances, windows and even electronics, but what do they mean? Origins and purpose. The Energy Star program was launched in 1992 as a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Star encourages development of technology that reduces energy costs… Read more »
Population increases — combined with the ease of worldwide travel — mean your chances of a bedbug encounter in a hotel room are on the rise. So it’s not surprising that many bedbugs hitch a ride home. Be vigilant. Bedbugs are parasites. Like mosquitos and ticks, they feast on the blood of a host. Unlike… Read more »
Even the simplest household fix-it job goes more smoothly with the right tool in hand. Here’s a quick guide to what the well-stocked home toolbox should contain. Cutting Tools Handsaws include wood saws that do cross-cuts (cutting across the grain of the wood), rip cuts (cutting along the grain), and hacksaws for cutting metal. Wire… Read more »
It takes more than a snazzy front door to create curb appeal. These days, prospective buyers are looking for a stylish garage door that matches the architectural style of the house. Let’s take a look at what’s new and different. Door types and styles. The most widely used garage door is the roll up sectional… Read more »
A professional garage makeover can transform the most neglected part of a home into a thing of beauty. But is it worth the hefty price tag? With a quick trip to a big box store, a do-it-yourself organizing system will get a homeowner’s belongings off the floor with snap-together shelves and wall hangers. But a… Read more »
If you’ve always shoveled the snow around your home — or paid someone to do it — you might find yourself asking yourself: Is it time to buy a snowblower? Let’s examine the pros and cons. How often does it snow? This is the first question you need to ask yourself when considering a snow… Read more »
As fall fades from the calendar, it’s time to get your house in shape for winter. From annual furnace inspections to protecting your outside faucets and pipes, here’s a handy to-do list to keep everyone in your family warm and dry until spring. Schedule an inspection of your furnace in the early fall, before the… Read more »
It’s time to decorate for Christmas but do you really want to struggle with that twisted and tangled mess of incandescent lights? Or is it time to invest in the newer LED types for your Christmas tree? LEDs vs. incandescents. We all grew up with strings of incandescent Christmas lights, but they are quickly being… Read more »
The Christmas season is here and it’s time to decorate. Should you pull those tangled old strings of incandescent lights from the attic for another year, or opt for the newer LED types. Let’s explore cool trends in outdoor holiday decorations that will earn you the Clark Griswald seal of approval. Incandescent versus LED. Old-school… Read more »
As people age, routine movement around the home may become a challenge. If seniors choose to age in place, what can be done to ensure comfort and safety when simply moving about the house? Let’s take a look. A ramp makes a house more accessible to those using wheelchairs or walkers. Eliminating a curb at… Read more »
Aging in place can be a great comfort to senior adults, especially when necessary renovations make familiar surroundings more accessible. That’s particularly true in the kitchen, which is a bustling place during meal preparation and the center of family life. For starters, an open kitchen floorplan is a big help to a family member using… Read more »
It seems obvious that a garage should be used as a place to park your cars, but many folks have unintentionally turned their garages into giant storage rooms. If you’re guilty as charged, let the purging begin. Before you know it, your cars will replace all the clutter and you might even make yourself some… Read more »
Are you in the market for a new lawnmower? Let’s go shopping to find a great deal on the right mower for you and your yard. The type of mower you need depends on the size of your yard, the terrain and what you will be cutting. A yard up to four thousand square feet… Read more »
Healthy flowers and shrubs depend on good soil and plenty of water. But you’re wasting your time and money if you don’t add a third ingredient to the mix — a three- to four-inch layer of quality mulch. Let’s dig a little deeper to explore the benefits of this material. Importance to your Landscape Mulch… Read more »
If you’ve got a full-fledged battle of the sexes going on at your house regarding home improvement priorities, it’s time to call a timeout. Finding common ground is the key to deciding which projects to tackle first and which can wait. You’ll both be happier and your home-improvement efforts will go more smoothly. Talk about… Read more »
Men and women may come from different planets, as the classic book on gender suggests. But in at least one area of the home, there is almost always a meeting of the minds. Outdoor living spaces are a great place to come together as a family and create memories. Something for everyone. Unlike the stereotypical… Read more »
Few things can be more wrenching and make you feel more vulnerable than when your home suffers major damage from a flood or a fire. You realize how suddenly life can take a shocking turn. You also want to get your life back to normal quickly. How do you find trusted professional help? When a… Read more »
With today’s busy schedules, families need their homes to work harder for them. That means some rooms may need to do double duty — and sometimes even triple duty. Here’s a five-step guide to make sure the rooms in your house mirror your multitasking life. Step 1: Decide function and location. Going through your house… Read more »
When siblings share a bedroom, every little bit of space counts. So what can a frazzled parent do? We’ve got you covered with this handy list of tips to ease sibling rivalry and create a harmonious space that your kids will love. Meeting of the minds. If your children are old enough to participate in… Read more »
If your kitchen is on the small side, fear not. You, too, can have big style in a small space. With a focus on function, careful material choices, and a little creativity, your dream kitchen is possible — regardless of size. Check out our top five design solutions for tiny kitchens. Stay focused. When space… Read more »
