Home Improvement Exterior

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.

Metal roofs have been used to top barns, country-style homes, and buildings across the U.S. since the 1700s. However, the metal roofs of today are nothing like the familiar tin roof of years past.

There’s no denying that energy costs are out of control, getting higher and higher year after year. Utility costs tend to rise right along with the rising outdoor temperatures. Therefore, it’s not surprising that people want to reduce the heat entering their homes so that they can lower their bills. A popular method is planting trees to save on air conditioning. But this only works if you know where to plant them.

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.

Driveways are supposed to be a place where your car can feel at home…and where your car’s wheels won’t get too banged up. When you first kick off your driveway’s life, the asphalt is smooth and accommodating. Unfortunately, wear and tear can happen. If left for too long, asphalt cracks turn into crumbles, and then you’ve got a mess to deal with. So, how do you fix this problem?

The smallest type of gravel is called fine gravel. This can range in size from sand to any gravel less than ⅜ inch in diameter. This is typically the smallest type of gravel used for any DIY or construction project.

Adding a shed to your property can be a transformative experience. It’s a structure where you can keep outdoor equipment, increase your home’s storage capacity, and more. These outdoor enclosures have many benefits, but when you erect a shed on your property, there are a lot of factors you need to think about before you start building.

Cement board, widely known as Hardie board, is a form of fiber cement that is commonly used on the exterior of buildings or as the backing for walls, floors, and tile applications. The boards are incredibly durable and highly resistant to fire, rot, and mold and mildew growth. When used as an exterior building material, you may be wondering: “can you paint cement board?”

Sliding glass doors are preferred by homeowners who enjoy picturesque views. They’re great for many more reasons, but a downside is that they can sometimes have water intrusion problems.

Countless homeowners take pride in their gardens up until the day they sell their houses and beyond. A nice landscape and garden are something to be proud of as a homeowner. So, does a garden increase home value?

Damage to the foundation or rim joist of a house can be potentially dangerous for structural integrity reasons. Generally speaking, the rim joist will be located under an exterior wall and will more often than not be load bearing.

Going into winter can be daunting when you don’t know where to start when it comes to preparing your home. The last thing that you want to do is struggle to catch up when the temperatures plummets.

A septic tank needs ample space to drain. And without knowing precisely how big your field should be, it can lead to ground contamination at worst and a nasty cleanup effort at best. Taking the proper precautions beforehand will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

Countless homeowners use a pressure washer to clean their their driveway, deck, exterior walls, and even outdoor furniture. It’s simply the easiest way to make your home and driveway look like new, but some people worry about water consumption. So, do pressure washers use a lot of water?

Painting the exterior of your home can completely transform the entire look and feel of your house. A fresh coat of paint can instantly update your home’s curb appeal while giving it a cleaner, fresher look. But, choosing the right color is vital, and with a green roof, it’s important to consider color choices wisely.

Whether desiring an energy-efficient entry or just changing the look, replacing an exterior door makes a big impact. It can also be a relatively easy DIY project unless you need to start making structural changes. Depending on the extent of your replacement, you may or may not need a permit to replace an exterior door.

Retaining walls are constructed on a property to help hold back soil and other forms of dirt. You’ll often find these structures on a hilly freeway, around stairways, in gardens or where multiple levels to a landscape are needed.

Countless homeowners dread gearing up and scattering salt on their icy driveways to ensure they don't get stuck at home. Salt is quite damaging, and you may not have it on hand when snow and ice strike. That’s why we assembled some simple ice-melting alternatives if you don’t want to use salt.

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a brand-new porch or expensive contractors. There are several simple things you can do to your porch to give it a brand new look just in time for spring. Treat yourself to a warm welcome every time you come home, and show your guests how excited you are to see them with these easy front porch refresh ideas.

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.

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.

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?

Summer is a busy time for real estate. Families move while children are out of school, longer daylight hours make scheduling showings easier, and pleasant weather encourages more time exploring neighborhoods. But when buyer activity increases, it also creates more competition for sellers, so it’s a good idea to know what homebuyers notice the most in summer.

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.

Dealing with a tree that falls on your property is a nightmare. Not only is it a major inconvenience, but it can also be expensive to remove if you don’t get any help. So, does homeowner insurance cover tree removal?

Back in the 1940s and 1950s, vinyl was not really used as a type of siding. It was just beginning to gain a following in home improvement. During this time, aluminum was the number one modern siding type. The thing is, aluminum can rust. It’s also kind of hard to deal with when compared to vinyl siding. People began to make the switch. This led to a major question: can you put vinyl siding over aluminum siding?

One great way to spruce up the outside of your home is to add a new walkway. A walkway can come from a sidewalk to your front door, or from the driveway. There are all sorts of unique and beautiful walkway designs.

Adding a shed to your property is an excellent investment. You may need it for storing tools, building a workshop, or extra storage for seasonal decorations. Whatever the reason, you must investigate the cost, in time and money, of building a shed on your own versus buying one and having it installed professionally. 

The exterior cladding that you choose for your home serves as the protective barrier against dramatic changes in temperature and inclement weather conditions. Though, depending on the type that you choose, it can also impact the value of your home. Choosing a siding for your home is an important decision that requires careful consideration, as it’s going to last for many years.

Spring is known as the season of rebirth, but it’s also a time for rejuvenation and repair. As the snow melts and the days grow longer, homeowners must survey the damage that winter has inflicted on various outdoor spaces. While most outdoor products are built to withstand harsh weather, many require maintenance after a long winter.

There are many reasons why you might need to know your property lines. You probably have a general idea as to where your property line is, but sometimes you require something more exact. Whether a tree has fallen and caused some damage, or you want to build a fence along the border of your property, you need to know your precise property boundaries. But how do you find out your exact property lines?

Chimneys offer curb appeal, functionality, and a classic vibe that appeals to countless homeowners. They are easy to spot from the street, but their primary benefit is that chimney caps protect your roof and fireplace. With all of the benefits that chimney caps have to offer; how many types are there?

Vinyl siding is a popular exterior cladding option known for being lightweight yet highly durable. Although vinyl siding is damage resistant for the most part, it doesn’t mean that you might never face maintenance concerns over its lifetime.

If you want to build a garden pathway on a tight budget that lasts a long time, then start looking for bricks. New bricks at home improvement stores can be fairly cheap (and also quite pricey), but if you are looking to build a pathway for as little as possible, don’t head to a retail store.

Painting the outside of your home is a crucial and sizable undertaking for any homeowner. The job is likely to leave you spent between all the exterior prepping, paint selection, and the labor of several coats it takes to do the job right. 

Salting your driveway is an unfortunate part of winter, which most people dread. However, more and more people are conscious of how salt isn’t necessarily great for the surface of a driveway. So, does salt damage concrete?

Most people dream of having a pool in their backyard. It would be nice to go out your back door to swim, instead of going to a crowded public pool or lake. Except, there’s only one issue: You don’t want to dig up your yard. That’s okay! We have a way around that.

There’s no way to completely protect your home from tornadoes, but impact-resistant doors and windows can help. The term “tornado-proof” isn’t ironclad, but you can take several steps to protect your home from tornadoes.

Shingling a roof can be far more complicated than you may have realized. Because of the various materials involved, there are certain specifications that must be met to ensure that the roof and shingles are properly installed.

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?

A gravel driveway that is several years old can begin to look a little sad. Gravel tends to migrate, leaving bare patches or uneven places on your driveway. You can, of course, simply add more gravel to your driveway. However, many people consider applying a driveway sealer on top of their gravel driveway. Is this a viable solution?

Like anything else in life, there will come a time where our driveway can become worn down, cracked, and generally look very poor. When this happens, it is time to repave the driveway to make it structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.

Painting your house is a huge undertaking. And you probably don’t want to do it twice. So, choose the best color for your foundation the first time. Then, update the style every few years.

Like any other outdoor room, porches are simply a continuation of your living space. Although all porches provide a space that bridges the gap between the outside world and the inside of your home, not all porches are created equal. Some porches are meant to greet visitors, while others are designed more for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors in an enclosed area.

People form opinions about your home (and you) at first glance, just like they do when they see how someone is dressed. It doesn’t matter if you’re selling your house or not; it’s about wanting your home to look its best. It’s easy to boost curb appeal with a few quick changes, so your home makes the right first impression.

When you’re building your home, you are in control of everything, including the orientation of your house. That small detail is something most people don’t think about but can make a huge impact on how you experience your home. After all, the direction your house faces will impact your heating, parking, as well as the amount of sunlight you get. So, what is the best direction for a backyard to face?

Tract homes are often conveniently located, affordable, and quite comfortable. However, they sometimes lack personality on the outside, at least when you look at them from the street. You’re not alone if you’ve desperately wondered how to make your tract home stand out.

Subsidence can occur due to many reasons, from the type of soil your house sits on to drainage issues. For example, heavy pipe leaks can soften the ground and pressure the foundation. Soil consistency affects subsidence as well because silt and clay are cohesive soils.

An outdoor porch was historically a place where people relaxed and enjoyed the fresh air, especially on warm summer days. But with the advent of air conditioning, many outdoor spaces, including covered porches, are much less desirable than the climate-controlled temperatures inside the home. While this may ring true, you should know there are also many ways to keep your outdoor porch cool so you can enjoy it throughout the summer.

Setting a fence post can be tricky, but it does not have to be. The two most viable options for setting a fence post is using expanding foam or concrete.

Fiberglass exterior doors are becoming more popular with builders and homeowners upgrading their homes. Fiberglass doors offer a lot of advantages like those offered by steel or PVC door units. However, fiberglass door units offer only a few color options, and many homeowners wonder if they can paint a fiberglass door to match the exterior of their homes. 

It takes hard work to stop a driveway from flooding, but it’s a worthy investment. Most methods involve excavation, which is best done by contractors. The best ways to prevent driveway flooding include:

Heading out the front door to go to work isn’t always possible on particularly cold and snowy days. That’s because your door may freeze shut, whether it be due to frozen hinges or ice in the frame. So, what should I do if my front door is frozen shut?

Painting the outside of your home is quite an undertaking, even if you live in a modest single-story dwelling. There is preparation work, setup, and all sorts of supplies necessary. You also need to find time in your schedule since this is often a project that can span many days. As you start looking at your calendar you should also look at the weather calendar as well in order to choose the best time to paint your house.

It may go without saying, but the foundation of a home is one of the most important aspects of the entire property. The foundation literally holds the structure up. When there are issues with the foundation, it can lead to serious concerns about structural integrity and can cost quite a bit to repair.

If you’re a new pool owner, you might be wondering how to properly maintain your pool while keeping your family safe. When you fill up your pool for the first time, there are specific steps you have to take to make sure the water is ready for recreational use. So, what exactly do you do right after you fill your pool with water?

If there’s one building material that’s become known as an eyesore, it’s cinder block. These poured concrete blocks are often seen as a sign of something that’s cheaply made, and if left on their own, could even tick off a homeowner’s association. If you have a home that has cinderblocks as part of the building’s make, don’t worry. There are ways to paint cinder blocks to look more like stone.

It is tempting for any homeowner to maximize sunlight and keep pests away. The two most common ways for a homeowner to allow natural light into the house are with screen doors and storm doors. So, let’s settle a common debate amongst homeowners: screen door vs. storm door.

Whether you’re a prepper by nature or not, you should always be prepared in the instance a flood should occur and threaten to damage your home. While you can certainly purchase the right insurance and stock up on necessary supplies, the post-flood cleanup and having to replace your treasured family belongings are not worth the energy.

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?