Home Improvement

Building a new home on a budget is a rewarding endeavor. But these days, finding the right materials at a low price can be a real challenge. Prices continue to increase and sometimes materials are difficult to find, which makes them even more costly. If you are on a tight budget when building a home, you will want to search high and low to find cheap or free materials to incorporate into your home building project.

The blower motor inside your HVAC unit has an important role to play. That blower motor is responsible for moving the fan in your HVAC unit so the air will not circulate without it. Simply put, your HVAC unit will not be able to provide the comfort you seek if the blower motor is malfunctioning.

When it comes to laminate flooring installations, underlayment is a thin, flexible piece of material that is placed on top of the subfloor to serve as a base layer for the laminate tiles or planks that are to be installed. While the subfloor gives the room structural support, the underlayment is responsible for supporting the laminate flooring itself.

If you’ve just moved into a new house and have a post but no mailbox, don’t panic! You can easily install a mailbox onto an already existing metal post. It’s a lot easier than it sounds, and it makes for an easier time with installation as you won’t need to dig the hole for the post or request permission. So, how do you install a mailbox on an existing metal post?

There’s nothing quite like relaxing at the end of a long day with a soak in a tub. Or, maybe you prefer to wake up in the morning with a nice shower in a combo shower/bathtub. Either way, the time you spend in a tub is a great way to refresh and prepare yourself for what’s ahead.

While pulling into your garage one day, you may notice that something’s off. After stepping out of your car to get a closer look, you’ve discovered that your garage is crooked. Your garage is leaning to one side and now you’re trying to figure out what to do.

When buying a home, many homeowners long for a three to four-bedroom with a few full bathrooms. However, it is common to see homes sell with half baths or ¾-bathrooms. But what is a ¼-bath, and what exactly does it contribute to your home?

If you have never stopped to think about it, there is a reason behind the specific use of toilet paper. Manufacturers make this toilet paper in a specific manner so that it can break up and dissolve easily in water.

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?

If you are thinking about building your own home, you probably have a lot of questions. There is a ton of information and research to be done before even getting started on a plan. The first thing you really need to know though is how much it is going to cost you.

Showers should be a place of relaxation and cleanliness. If your shower isn’t helping you relax or is constantly dirty, then you’ve got to make a change! Whether installing a new shower into your current home or selecting one for your new home, you’ve still got extensive choices to make.

If you are a someone who works with wood or just loves a good DIY, you know that in order for wood to last, it needs to be specially treated. All types of wood must be finished with a special layer of coating for added protection from light, moisture and other elements.

No matter how careful you are, you’re bound to find some fat and oil in your kitchen sink drain. This is easily fixable in minor cases, but it can be devastating and expensive in severe cases. So, what breaks down fat in drains?

When watching some of your favorite TV shows, you may notice that a lot of the characters live in brownstones. That is because shows based in New York, Philadelphia, or Boston often like the charm a brownstone offers. If you are looking to purchase a brownstone for yourself, use this as a guide to choose the best layout. 

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) have been around for decades, and these days it’s near impossible to find a modern home which doesn’t utilize these devices; they’re even used in a lot of older homes now because they’re useful here as well.

Building things with your own two hands is the best feeling in the world. But anything you are building should be done safely and solidly, or your plans (and your project) could fail. Although end nailing may be easier and faster, it is not usually the best choice when building.

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?

Installing a roof is not as simple as assembling a pyramid of boards and dropping it on your house frame. There are things to consider as far as time constraints, cost, and aesthetics when drafting plans for a new build. Unless you’re using a single layer flat roof, two construction frame options are available to you: rafters or trusses.

As we step into the fireplace season, a new task rises on many homeowners’ to-do lists. Yes. It’s time to inspect, and most importantly, repair your chimney.

Barndominiums are one of the most unique and exciting developments in construction, and the possibilities are endless. Builders frequently use barndominiums as workspaces, but they work just as well to use as a living space with the right floor plan.

Are you planning to renovate your home sometime soon? If so, the time may be right for you to consider removing some old or outdated fixtures. The placement of your chimney and fireplace, in particular, may require some further consideration.

You may find a situation where you need an electrical outlet under the sink cabinet in your kitchen. The most obvious reason would be the installation of garbage disposal in a sink that was not previously equipped. If a dishwasher is installed, you may also need an outlet under the sink to provide power to the dishwasher. From the standpoint of electrical codes, is it legal to put an electrical outlet under a sink?

One of the tiniest pests that also packs a powerful bite is the elusive no-see-um. The official name of these bugs is the Ceratopogonidae, but these pests are called no-see-ums because you can’t see them, but you certainly feel them after they bite you.

Retaining walls are built for different reasons. They may be built for landscaping purposes or perhaps for safety reasons. Some homeowners also want retaining walls to keep their property protected and to maintain their privacy.

Quartz shower walls are the result of combining resin, natural quartz, and pigment together. They are pressed together to create large panels that have become very popular in bathrooms. While it’s a man-made material, that doesn’t take anything away from its beauty.

Toilet flushing accounts for a huge percent of a homeowner’s water bill. This in part explains why toilet installation is important. Toilet installation can be done by yourself or by hiring a professional, and often toilet installation only takes a few hours! 

There is nothing worse than a gap in your door that lets pests and cold air in, and warm air out. It can increase your energy bills and make life uncomfortable when bugs enter your home unwanted. You have probably heard that door sweeps can solve this problem, but what are the main types of door sweeps?

Are you planning to build or renovate your home shower? In that case, you may be looking for some suggestions regarding what to put in there. Perhaps you’re wondering about which tiles to use.

When you decide what type of flooring to put on top of concrete slab in your home you are essentially working with a blank slate. There are several types of material you can choose from. All of them have pros and cons, but some types are definitely more appealing to most homeowners than others.

You are not alone if you are shocked and angry about rising energy costs. It seems like everything is costing more, and prices are hard to keep up with. While some of these costs are out of your control, there are ways to cut down on your energy usage. In fact, it is a good idea to conduct a DIY home energy audit once a year to make sure you are not spending money in areas where you shouldn’t have to.

For the do-it-yourselfers out there, building a new roof can be a way to save thousands upon thousands of dollars. Whether it is for your home or a new structure going up, a roof can be an expensive proposition.

Are you wanting to know if it is possible to feed two panels from one meter? If so, then we are going to show you exactly what that looks like, and what your options are.

Radiant barriers are classically located in attics and are excellent at reducing the amount of heat and reducing cooling costs. While it may not be as typical, you can also install radiant barriers in stud walls. With this short guide, you will be well on your way to understanding how to go through this installation.

The average sink sees a lot of food waste, minerals, and bacteria that we are generally used to seeing. However, it can be disconcerting when you find white slime in your sink without any obvious explanation. So, what does it mean when there is white slime in your sink, and what should do about it?

When looking for ways to protect your home, there are a lot of different things to think about. Your driveway is something that gets used every day but isn’t often taken into consideration with regards to protection. By covering your asphalt driveway with a seal coating, you can help keep it in good condition.

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.

Propane is a versatile fuel that can be used to power numerous appliances in and around the home. You can use propane for cooking, heating water, and it can also help provide some warmth.  Many homeowners even purchase propane tanks so they can store that fuel and use it on-demand.

French stuff always seems to have a veneer of fanciness, right? Even when it comes to toilets and bathroom design, it seems like people are ready to scream “Vive la France!” When I first heard about French curve toilet, I immediately assumed it was better than the ol’ standard US toilets. I still didn’t know what it was, though!

What kind of look are you aiming to bring to life in your yard? You can go for something casual or modern by adding the right fixtures and pieces of furniture. If your goal is to build a backyard with a beautiful natural aesthetic, you will need to introduce some landscaping elements.

Whether you are buying a new home or simply looking to change things up in your old one, those changes can have a potentially sizable impact. It all depends on what you are looking to do. Some changes are no more than aesthetic and can be done in short order. Others are a bit tougher.

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.

By installing soffit boards underneath the roof system of your porch, you’ll create a cleaner look for your outdoor living area. Not only does installing a soffit complete the look of your entire porch, it also helps to insulate your home, shielding it from outdoor temperature fluctuations throughout the year.

Electrical work is one of the hardest things to wrap your head around as a homeowner, and that comes right down to outlets. The standard outlet for American homes is the ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI outlet. They are effective and protect you from electrical shock, but can two GFCI outlets be used on the same circuit?

Having a power generator is a wise investment to keep your house powered in the event of a power outage. Many homeowners believe that simply powering their portable generator with a standard home outlet is sufficient, but this can create a dangerous situation for you, your neighbors, and your electrical utility crew.

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.

Home remodeling or renovation can be an expensive endeavor. You could end up spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000 to have your home remodeled. Saving money whenever possible would be ideal.

When you first have kids or get a new pet, one of the things that you need to do is consider baby-proofing your home. There are a lot of hazards in and around your home that you may need to watch out for. For example, almost everything electronic can be hazardous to young kids. That’s why people are told to get tamper-resistant receptacles. But, what on earth is a tamper-resistant receptacle supposed to be?

Your air conditioner is a real savior in the hottest months. One AC unit can turn a completely unbearable sunrise into a pleasant morning in bed under the covers. There is so much to be thankful for when it comes to having the modern convenience of temperature and humidity control. But sometimes air conditioners are very loud. In fact, an AC unit can get so loud, it is hard to concentrate on anything else. But how do you quiet a noisy air conditioner?

Bathroom maintenance can be a chore. Due to their susceptibility to water, bathrooms attract bacteria like a moth to a flame. Moisture can accumulate in the nooks and corners of tiles, bathtubs, and cubicles of your bathroom and attract mildew spores, dirt, and soap.

There are many reasons for homeowners to want more accessible wiring. To do this, electrical work is needed, which often brings up the question “can you use a junction box to extend the wiring?”

Faucets are among the most important fixtures in a home. Whether you’re looking to install a faucet for the first time or want to replace an existing one, it’s best to learn about the different options you have. Undeniably, deck mount faucets will be among your top considerations. But, what exactly is a deck mount faucet?

Leaking is not a strange phenomenon in any home. Faucets, pipes, and water tanks are among the household fixtures that are prone to leaking.

Flush toilets have been in use for centuries, first being introduced back in 1598 by Sir John Harington. They operate by using water to flush waste through a drainpipe to another designated disposal location. Over the centuries, the efficiency, design, and flushing systems of these toilets have drastically improved to yield the modern toilets available today.

If you are building a structure that requires some support beams and additional safety measures, you might have purchased some joist hangers. Joist hangers are very strong pieces of hardware that offer additional weight support and security for weight bearing structures. They are much stronger than just using nails or screws alone. As you prepare to install your joist hangers, you might wonder if you can use screws instead of nails to install them.

Interior walls do a great job of defining the space you have available. You can use them to create defined areas and introduce more harmony into your home. Those interior walls can also be used to provide support and a decorative flourish, assuming that you’ve framed them properly.

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.

The exterior of your home’s cladding not only provides an aesthetic appeal but can also play a significant role in the insulation and overall protection of your home.

It can throw you for a loop when you get a particularly high electric bill. That is truer now than ever before, since the cost of living has increased so much in the past few years. So you may ask yourself, why is my electric bill so high?

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.

Home is where the heart is and that’s a statement that resonates with just about everyone. There is simply no substitute for your home because that’s the place where you can feel most comfortable. To create that comfortable home environment, you need to insulate it properly.