Home Improvement

Once decide to invest in your home kitchen, it’s easy to go overboard with your purchases. By the time you realize that your kitchen may already be too cramped to move around in. Of course, you can always get around that problem by paying to bump out your kitchen.

Concrete is the most commonly used material on earth for building and other projects. It is made of three things: cement, water, and aggregates. Whether you are building a structure, a driveway, or filling in a hole, concrete works for all these things. But did you know there are different methods of using concrete depending on when the water is introduced to the mix?

If you love bespoke home accessories, making scented candles at home might be a DIY activity you want to add to your wheelhouse.

In new homes, if you open up your outlet, you will usually see two wires. One entering and providing power to the outlet, the other exiting and providing power to outlets downstream. There may sometimes be a third wire to ground the outlet, or to provide power to a downstream line in another direction.

Your refrigerator can work with a standard electrical outlet as well as a GFCI. Many people believe that using a non-GFCI outlet is the best option for food storage. Thinking that this will prevent unnecessary tripping of the circuit breaker, causing food spoilage.

Completing a new room often involves installing some kind of material over the bare walls and the ceiling. Many homeowners opt to use drywall for that specific task because it can cover up the space while introducing some useful benefits. Drywall being fire-resistant, easy to work with, and affordable means it can be a positive addition to your home.

A leaky faucet can throw a wrench in your plans and lead to an annoying, inconvenient mess. Many builder-owners replace the valve stems in hopes to stop the leak, but that doesn’t always help. If you’ve replaced your valve stems and the leak is still present, what could be the real cause?

A mural is an excellent way to capture people’s attention and communicate a message to the public. You’ll often see murals on the side of buildings throughout a city or inside people’s homes. But what kind of permission and permit do you need to paint a mural, if any?

There’s nothing like a hot shower until someone barges in to use the bathroom, or your toddler rushes in to ask a question. Suddenly, your beautiful glass-door shower seems a little too…revealing.

Samsung dishwashers are affordable, efficient, and reliable. That doesn’t mean they aren’t without their problems. For example, performance issues and error codes often appear and confuse homeowners. What do the Samsung dishwasher Smart Auto and Heavy blinking error codes mean?

Ever been to the northeast? You might have noticed these strange metal doors on the ground near some of the homes. Do those mysterious structures lead to Narnia? Not quite. While basement bulkheads aren’t the most common, they are practical structures that will connect you to the underground basement of a home.

Anyone who has ever done a home renovation project knows how overwhelming the decision-making process can be. In regards to exterior treatment options, these can be particularly difficult. So, should you use dutch lap or traditional siding? What’s the difference?

Basements can be used for so many “extras”—extra storage space, extra living space, extra office space. They are one of those added bonuses in a house.

Porcelain tiles can be an excellent addition to your home. They provide a classic look without sacrificing the durability required of materials in kitchens and bathrooms.

Doing a bathroom remodel project can be satisfying. However, some decisions can get confusing for homeowners, such as toilets. There are so many variations, brands, styles and sizes that it is easy to get confused. One of the most confusing is the difference between chair height and comfort height toilets.

Electrical panels stick out like a sore thumb, and while they are practical, they are also visually unappealing. These eyesores are a necessary evil, but you don’t have to necessarily see them for them to be useful. There are several amazing ways to conceal an electrical panel and still access it.

There’s something undeniably charming and relaxing about retreating to a cabin in the woods or up in the mountains. While many cabins can be luxurious, think deluxe accommodations in the Poconos, others are simpler and more rustic. Then, of course, you have everything in between.

Choosing between wood finishing products is not as easy as it seems. It doesn’t help the matter that there are so many great options out there to choose from. Between Varathane and Minwax alone, there are countless options to choose from to stain just about any kind of wood style or color in your home. But, which one is best for wood finishing? 

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. 

Humidity can ruin a great day outdoors, but nothing is worse than excessive humidity in your home. It’s hard to get comfortable when you breathe moist air, and it can be dangerous if you have respiratory problems. Luckily, there are several simple ways to lower humidity in your home.

Dimmer switches can often take people by surprise with the heat they emit, particularly if they aren’t used to using them in the house. It can be shocking, true. However, there is a difference between a warm dimmer switch and one that it hot enough to make you go “OW!” Are you one of the many people curious about the reasons why dimmer switches seem to turn up the heat.

If you own a grandfather clock, it’s likely something that has been passed down in your family through the generations. To ensure that the clock stays in good working order, it should be cleaned and serviced regularly. Oftentimes, some form of clock repair work may be required for a number of reasons.

That ambient buzzing that bees produce can be frightening for folks who’ve experienced the pain of being stung. Even if you haven’t been stung before, you probably want no part of experiencing that firsthand. Unfortunately, there are times when bees may be the ones who decide to take up residence on your property.

Are you looking for a creative and affordable way to revamp your wood floors? Painting is always an option! But before you dive into the renovation process, there are plenty of pros and cons to consider.

Many homeowners choose to add a garage to their home after it’s already been built. Doing so is an excellent way to add value to your home and give yourself some extra space for storage and parking.

When people first walk into your home, one of the first things they’ll notice is your flooring and your trim. However, if there’s a gap between the trim and the floor, it’s going to stand out like a sore thumb. If this happens, you likely didn’t use shoe molding or quarter round to finish your trim or flooring project.

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.

Whether you’re in the midst of a new construction project or rewiring a house, purchasing electrical wire is a must. The overall price of wires varies based on material and square footage, but there’s more to the story, too.

You have your new shop or utility shed built and ready to go. Part of the plan is to run electrical service to the new structure from your home. However, the question of what size wire is required to get electricity to your new utility shed. What kinds of distance can you get if you use 10-gauge wire?

You might assume that shopping for a garbage disposal is a quick, in-and-out kind of job. However, what you might not realize is that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of options for you to choose from. You’ll generally find models grouped into two categories – batch feed and continuous feed.

Choosing the right door for your home can be tough with all of the options out there. For many homeowners looking for a door that is cost-effective and sturdy can be a challenge. However, the ReliaBilt door provides sturdiness while being cost-effective, as well as many other benefits. With a wide selection available, you’re sure to find something that fits your needs perfectly.

Laminate floors have long been a cost-effective way to get the same look as wood for a fraction of the price. There are many things you can put over laminate floors if you get sick of them, but there is a right and a wrong way to go about it.

An electrical outlet (also referred to as an electrical receptacle) is the place where you plug in all your appliances and electrical devices. When functioning correctly, these will stay at room temperature.

A modern kitchen needs to be able to do a lot, sometimes without much space. There needs to be a way to store and prepare food, clean and store dishes, and dispose of trash.

Home additions can be intimidating due to the size and complexity of the process. Bathrooms are one of the most sought after home additions, and for good reason. Additional bathrooms add value and comfort to your home, but how much does it cost to install one?

Hardwood flooring is undeniably stylish and timeless. Gone are the days of carpeted kitchens, dining rooms, and entryways. Many homebuyers are looking for wood floors in areas of high traffic throughout a home.

Probably one of the most ingenious additions to home renovations since the sliding glass door, the Jack and Jill bathroom model is a common way to streamline cohabitation. Made famous by the TV show The Brady Bunch, a Jack and Jill bathroom is sandwiched between two bedrooms, accessible by both bedrooms with a door on either side.

Many people in recent years shifted toward a significant lifestyle change when they drastically downsized to 400 sqft or less. Undoubtedly, living tiny has its pros and cons, but is it for you? 

Caulking is a plumbing project that typically requires a professional (or at least a DIY perfectionist). It’s necessary for a bathtub spout, but do you need to caulk around the bathroom sink faucet too?

Every homeowner understands the importance of electrical safety. Sure, this isn’t something one thinks of daily, as usually there isn’t cause to think about the electrical systems in your home. You turn your lights on, use appliances, and go about your day without considering all that’s required to reliably provide your home with electricity day in and day out.

Most homeowners buy showers as a complete set, and that can complicate things when one component goes bad. A shower valve is among the most important parts of a shower set, and it’s important to replace it right away if it goes bad. So, are shower valves universal?

The most important question you need to ask yourself before building a fire pit is “What are the local laws and regulations about outdoor fire features?” This question is so critical, because it will likely dictate a lot about your fire pit, including its size and location.

A beautiful kitchen can work wonders for just about any type of home. Preparing your favorite treats inside a gorgeous kitchen is a delightful experience unlike any other. If you’re interested in redesigning your home kitchen, don’t forget to do something about the ever-present backsplash.

Whether you’re building a new house or want to do some work around your old one, it’s a good idea to have something around your foundation. Having something around the foundation of your house is an excellent way to improve its looks and provide protection. But are there certain things that are better around a home than others?

Laminate is a commonly used synthetic flooring option for homeowners. It’s popular among professionals as well as avid DIYers. But, how long does it take to install laminate flooring?

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!

So, you went to your friend’s house the other night for some backyard conversation and wine and fell in love with their yard. It was relaxing and comfortable, and those string lights in their trees were the perfect finishing touch. Now you want to hang string lights in your backyard, but you don’t have any trees.

The electrical components of your home or business can require professional intervention much of the time for good reason. Not only is it a complicated setup, especially to DIYers, but it is dangerous as well. Plus there is the potential of installation going wrong on top of all that.

Backyards can serve as fun blank slates to work with for creative homeowners. All kinds of possibilities can be explored when you are first designing that part of your home. While putting your plans together, don’t forget to consider the addition of landscape curbing.

For many years, laminate flooring has been one of the most popular alternatives for hardwood used by homeowners. It is designed to mimic real wood, but is more affordable, DIY friendly, relatively easy to clean and maintain, and scratch-resistant than traditional hardwood.

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.

Gaslight fireplaces are a very nice feature to have in the home. They can provide an ambiance that sometimes can not be achieved with an electric fireplace. They also have benefits for those that might live in areas that are at risk for power outages.

Building your home often means taking on expenses that you might not have seen coming. For example, while laying a foundation or building new walls, you might have assumed that concrete will suffice. More often than not, however, you need to support those concrete structures with rebar.

You finally have the time to fix your driveway. Concrete is the ideal material, but it’s also expensive. As you look for ways to stretch your budget, bagged concrete may come to mind. Will it work?

Removing a Kohler shower handle can be difficult, especially considering that there are several different Kohler shower handle types. However, you will be able to remove your Kohler shower handle in no time using the images and three steps below.

Sump pumps are not exactly the type of thing most people like to talk about. They’re just…there. Sump pumps are meant to divert moisture and water from basements away from a house. That’s great, especially the part where they pump all the moisture away. However, figuring out how to divert the sump pump discharge can be a difficult issue. How do you do this?

Basements tend to be cooler than the rest of the house, and deciding how to heat them can be tricky. Should you extend your current system or invest in a new one? What’s the most efficient way to heat the basement?

You love your screened-in porch, but it is only useable a few months a year. The option is to convert your screen porch to a sunroom. There are several options to consider as you ponder the possibilities. Each option comes with pros and cons and, of course, a price tag. Here are what we think are the average costs for converting a screened porch to a sunroom.

Circuit breakers protect your electrical system and home. If a circuit is overloaded, the breaker is tripped to cut off the flow of electricity. Normally each breaker has only one wire, but double tapped breakers are common. The problem may be identified by an electrician or home inspector.

The cockroach may very well be the pest that most people want nothing to do with. They are troublesome home invaders that can spread disease, ruin food, and destroy clothing. Cockroaches also excel at striking fear into our hearts when they crawl on us or fly in our direction.