Home Improvement

Adding a new addition to your home as a builder-owner is a smart and exciting prospect. An addition of any size adds value, but a 20×20 addition is popular and offers many possibilities. You probably want to jump right into your 20×20 addition, but first, it’s important to know how much it will cost.

Paving slabs can make a pathway or driveway look fantastic with just a little bit of hard work. We are going to show you the ins and outs, of laying down paving slabs on a sloped surface. Since not all properties are perfectly flat, it’s essential to know how to do this, especially if your property is on a slope!

Bricks are known for creating sturdy, insulated homes. If you are building a brick home, you’ll want to have a rough idea of how many you need. The old joke says that you only need one brick to complete a house no matter the size. Once you fit that last one in, the house is done. However, if we want to know how many bricks it takes to build a house that will require a few facts about bricks and some math.

When you’re tiling your shower, there are two things that you want to be sure of. The first is that you want your shower to be waterproof. The second is that you want to make sure that your shower tiles actually stick. That’s why so many people want to know what the best adhesive for shower tiles currently is.

Concrete steps are sturdy, resistant to all kinds of external forces, and they also look great when built properly. They can be genuine assets to any property and that’s why many homeowners covet them. If using poured concrete is not an option for your property, you can still opt for precast concrete steps.

When it comes to renovation projects, there are so many variables in play that any one of them could throw a project off balance. This is because most of them require precise measurements and even surfaces to pull off accurately. Sometimes, you’ll have to deal with uneven walls, but what if you’re installing door trim? How do you install door trim with uneven walls?

Salt damages concrete because of how it affects water. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, leading to a repeated freeze-thaw cycle, which can significantly weaken the surface of the concrete. So, the water in the concrete freezes, turns into ice, thaws, and then freezes again.

Skylights date back to ancient Rome, and they have helped increase natural light in countless homes and buildings since. Installing a skylight in your home requires a minor, inexpensive renovation that costs an average of $1,770. The cost varies based on the dimensions, materials, and labor fees.

When it comes to DIY fixes in the home, many people shy away from skilled trade work like plumbing. What if it goes wrong? Believe it or not, you can do some significant upgrades to plumbing fixtures without risking a big flood.

Flickering lights can be a scary sight to behold in both horror movies and real life. Your lights can flicker for a variety of reasons, but it’s hard to pinpoint the cause if you are inexperienced with electrical work. Many homeowners ask themselves: why are my lights flickering and how do I fix them?

A leaking toilet can be a real pain, causing a wet, smelly, unhealthy mess in your bathroom. Plus, once your toilet’s leaking, it’s pretty much unusable till you fix the issue. A common cause for a toilet leaking around the base is a worn-out or damaged wax ring. 

Are you building a new structure and have some questions about I-joists and joist bridging? We’ve put together this quick guide to show you how joist bridging works and whether or not I-I-joists need bridging.

If you have recently relocated an outlet in your home, you may be left with an empty or dead outlet on the wall. While the dead outlet is certainly not harming anything, it can be unsightly if the outlet is no longer used. Hiding or covering the outlet can be tempting, especially to make your home look nicer without an ugly outlet on the wall.

Shower curbs are such a fixture of the average full bathroom that it’s easy to ignore them even as you step over one. However, it is important to consider every aspect of a shower curb when you install or renovate a shower. So, what is the ideal shower curb height?

If you are working on a project that involves drilling screws into a hard surface like a hardwood or even metal, you probably need a drill bit. You don’t want to drill the screw right into the hard material, as there are all sorts of bad things that can happen. Drilling pilot holes is an important and simple process. It does, however, involve some planning and research. So, when you plan on using #8 screws you need to find the perfect size drill bit to make pilot holes.

A skylight can be a beautiful addition to a home. In addition to providing a beautiful look at the sky, they can help give an infusion of natural light and can help keep homes warmer during the colder months of the year.

Running across a term like “floating wall” might have you scratching your head in wonder at what ultimately sounds like a magic trick. But, on the other hand, if you’re from Colorado, the term might sound familiar where such building practices are common. The continuously expanding soils in Colorado are why floating walls as used.

Adding insulation can be a task depending on the size of your rooms or attics. Try applying the same logic to a vaulted ceiling, and you’ve got the potential of having a pretty big headache. Because of this, we’ve produced a short guide to help you out with insulation in vaulted ceilings.

If you have a one-story home, accessing your roof will be a much simpler task whenever you need to get work done. However, it will still require supplies to make the job easier. Specifically, you’ll need a ladder. That means, you’ll need to determine the correct size to safely and easily reach the top of your roof.

The average size of a home has grown about 24% larger over the last ten years. However, the average lot size has decreased by 10%. If you want to build your dream without breaking the bank, use this as a guide to utilize a shallow lot.

No matter your climate, one of the most important things is having a well-insulated home. This will help to keep your place warm in the winter and cool in the summertime.

Let’s say that you noticed your shower acting wonky. It’s drippy, not running well…and it’s becoming a significant pain. The chances are that you’re going to have to replace the shower valve. If you have a two-handle shower valve, hiring a handyman to replace it might cost as much as $600.

Choosing the right flooring is a big commitment that affects your home’s character, and it is also a financial commitment. It is expensive to buy and install new flooring, so it is ideal to get the best selection and deal possible. So, what is the best time to buy flooring?

Early morning showers are not everyone’s favorite, but they are necessary. Thankfully, water heaters make those early morning showers way more tolerable and comfortable. You don’t have to dread the thought of being splashed with ice-cold water so early in the morning.

Whether you’re building your shower for the first time or renovating it, choosing the right materials for it will be crucial. Your shower is going to be a prominent part of your bathroom. It’s understandable if you want to use some special materials to make it stand out.

When it comes to designing or renovating a bathroom shower, most homeowners place a strong emphasis on appearance rather than function. However, because you likely don’t want to shower while standing in dirty water, the drain is one of the most important components of your shower. There are many different types of shower drains, some of which are the only application for specific situations.

Finding the right material for your shower walls can be tricky. Remodeling a shower can cost thousands of dollars, and it’s hard to commit to a material when you aren’t even sure what you want. Because of that, many homeowners will look for any alternative that gets the job done without breaking the bank. So, can you use peel-and-stick tile in a shower?

Air conditioners are considered essential appliances by many households as they supply comforting cooling on demand. The idea of an air conditioner breaking down in the middle of the summer is a nightmarish proposition for many households. Unfortunately, your air conditioner breaking down is possible especially if you don’t take good care of components like the condenser fan motor.

Starting the day with a hot cup of coffee is a staple for many people. If this is true for you, too, the unavoidable truth to that is you are then left with a pile of used coffee grounds with every pot you make. As you’re going about your daily routine, it’s easy to get lazy when cleaning everything up.

The last thing you want to do is run up massive energy bills all winter. It’s tempting to turn up the furnace every time it gets cold, but that will quickly become quite expensive. So, what are the cheapest ways to heat your house in the winter?

If you have a light switch that you hardly use, it might be more beneficial to convert it into an outlet. But can that even be done? The answer is a resounding yes!

Before GFCIs and self-grounding electrical outlets, there were a lot more individuals getting electrocuted by rogue currents. But now, it’s very rare for such an event to happen, mainly because of the two devices above.

You had a good night’s sleep, and now it is time to take a bath in the morning. You turn on your shower, and you hear a squealing/high-pitched/whistling sound. While the sound may not be a bother, it is a telltale sign that your shower has a problem that needs urgent fixing.

There has always been a considerable debate on how to keep your home warm through the colder months of the year. Two of the most popular options tend to be a gas fireplace or a central heating system. While each has its unique uses and every individual has their preferences, it’s essential to consider a few factors.

When installing a mounting block on vinyl siding, there are plenty of ways things can go wrong. You may ask if your vinyl siding can handle this depending upon the weight. You may not know where to begin.

When you first start woodworking, you’re probably using 2 by 4s. They’re easy to attach to one another, not to mention to other wood measurements. When you need something sturdier, a 4×4 is what you’re going to grab. Attaching two of these to each other, though, can be a little bit tricky. So, how can you do it?

Squirrels can be an entertaining sight in your backyard as they perform the gymnastic moves through the tree limbs. However, if you are like me and are more entertained by the birds attracted by your birdfeeder, squirrels are more of a nuisance. People suggest several methods to stop squirrels from raiding your birdfeeder. We wonder if squirrels can climb PVC pipes.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, or GFCIs, are a necessary safety measure in modern times. They can prevent harmful ground faults that can cause dangerous and expensive electrical problems. So, why does my GFCI trip when I turn on the light switch?

The sound of your garage door opening when it shouldn’t is scary. Your garage is about more than parking your car; it’s also a gateway into your home. Every homeowner should trust their garage door to stay closed, but that’s hard when it’s faulty. So, why does my garage door open by itself?

It is easy to understand why electrical wiring needs to be protected from damage or exposure to the elements. Your local electrical code will often require that electrical wiring be run through a conduit of some kind. There are a variety of different conduits available. EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) and rigid conduit are two of the most common. It is important to understand the difference between these two products.

Choosing a new breaker is an important decision. Your home’s electrical system is comprised of several fail-safes meant to keep both you and the breaker safe. Homeline and QO breakers are among the most popular and effective on the market, so how are they different?

Nothing beats a nice, warm bath after a long and exhausting week at work. Showers are great for convenient comfort, but the refreshment you get from a long soak in the bathtub is unmatched. Those reasons help explain why bathtubs are highly sought after.

It’s funny – most people, no matter how familiar they are with home improvement, never really think about how they should finish the tile edgings when they meet the wall until they’re actually at that point. Then they begin asking all the questions: Should they just stop? Grout the spot? Add a metal profile or commercial edging? What would be the costs?

Having your own sauna at home sounds like a dream doesn’t it? Staying inside a sauna helps you sit back and relax. The experience is invigorating and it can also serve as the perfect pick-me-up during the middle of the work week.

If you’re familiar with framing, then you’ve probably worked with birdsmouth cuts. These styles of cuts allow roof joists to connect to the wall plate of a structure. Other than asking a store to cut your wood, there are some other alternatives! What are some other options for the birdsmouth cut?

The chimney serves a vital role in your home as it provides an exit for the harmful gases produced during combustion. Instead of those gases lingering inside your home and potentially causing problems, they are just carried out by the chimney. Your chimney has an important job to do and you need to keep it protected.

In North America, 240 volts of electricity are supplied to a panel. The 240 volts are split between two 120-volt circuits.

Hedges don’t grow right away, but they can help you get plenty of privacy in a beach house. Not only do they look great, but they can also help you feel insulated in your yard. This is more appealing than a huge wall that obscures your home’s beauty.  

The plumbing system of your home relies mainly on gravity to get the job done correctly. However, the sewage ejector pump must be installed in homes with finished basements so that waste can be moved “up” through the drainage system’s discharge pipe. Choosing the right pump for your basement remodel or any other space where you can’t use gravity to flush waste is very important.

From record sales and rapid price increases to historic supply chain issues and steady interest rate hikes, things are without a doubt wild and constantly evolving in today’s construction world. But even with these major shifts and hurdles, buildings are still going up and new construction is soldiering on.

Window glass is usually pretty durable, but it only takes one unfortunate event to cause a crack.

People have their own reasons for why they don’t want to use designated products for a project, such as outdoor paint for an outdoor paint job. Maybe they have too much extra indoor paint, or they don’t want to spend the extra money.

In recent years, rubber pavers have become very popular as a choice for outdoor and indoor flooring. Due to their absorbent qualities, high slip resistance and eco-friendly design, they are an excellent choice for paving environments such as children’s playgrounds, nursing homes, some shopping centers, garages and even your home gym.

The perfect bath can soak away your stress and troubles, and they are great for soothing sore muscles. At the end of a long day, nothing is more luxurious than relaxing in a deep bathtub.

When you’re comparing house wrap, you’ll find that most of them have many features in common. House wraps are essential for keeping your home as durable as possible. You’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for things like air-resistance, cold resistance, and UV rating. 

If you take a look at most suburban homes, vinyl siding is the classic go-to. It’s everywhere! Though vinyl is going to be one of the most common siding types you may see, cedar shake is still fairly popular in upscale neighborhoods. They tend to get a good rep. If you’re ready to upgrade your home’s exterior, then you might be wondering what you should choose. Honestly, it’s a rough debate.

It’s stressful when a strong storm carrying heavy rains and flash flooding passes through, especially when you are a homeowner. The significant wind and rainfall has a tendency of highlighting all the vulnerabilities of your home’s exterior.

Your chewing gum has lost its flavor and you are ready to get rid of it. Before you is a toilet and a trash can. Which should you choose? We’re here to answer that question for you, so you can avoid unnecessary problems down the road.

Push fittings tend to be known by the popular brand SharkBite. They are sold in just about any major hardware store and through retailers across the web. You might see them in a variety of other names as well, but SharkBite is often the preferred brand.

Texas is growing faster than almost any other state in the Union. In Texas, Houston is experiencing an economic and population boom as businesses relocate and their employees follow. The lower cost of living and the relatively modest cost of homes than other states make Houston particularly attractive. Many people are surprised at how much it costs to build a house in Houston.