Home Improvement Exterior

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.

If the exterior of your home is making you feel less than excited, it might be time for a change. Painting the exterior is a way to change the look of your home without a complete renovation. This includes painting the chimney, too, which can be a task in itself, but what’s the best color for an exterior chimney?

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.

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.

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?

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?

The winter isn’t the ideal season to accomplish your outdoor projects. Landscaping, gardening, and exterior work are often scheduled for the spring and fall months when the weather is more suitable. But sometimes work needs to be done in a given time frame, which means you need to accomplish projects like painting your home’s exterior in the middle of the coldest season. But is it a good idea to paint the outside of your home in the winter?

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.

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?

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.

Decks are costly additions that are worth it when you consider that they can increase your home’s value. Sometimes, decks are overly exposed to the sun and it can be tempting to add some comfortable shade with a roof. So, how much does it cost to build a roof over a deck?

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.

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.

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?

There are many things to take care of on your property before winter hits, and it can be stressful. It can be intimidating if you have never winterized a pond with fish, but it’s necessary. Whether you’re new to ponds or have years of experience, you may still struggle with how to winterize a pond with fish.

Making the switch to solar is one of the biggest decisions in a homeowner’s life. Whether you want to save money on your electricity or get completely off the grid, there are options for you.

With the increase in vinyl siding’s popularity, people are increasingly focused on finding ways to ensure that their siding can last longer than ever. That’s why people put house wrap underneath their vinyl siding. Of course, the wrap is known for being expensive. Is it really worth it? Do you even need it?

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.

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.

Installing a metal roof can be a cost-effective, durable, and attractive solution for your next project. Whether you’re building a shed or replacing the roof on your house, metal materials can provide you with many great benefits. Before you start your project, however, it’s crucial to weigh the costs of the construction.

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. 

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.

Few home remodeling projects have the same impact or significance as those that involve the home’s outside. When visitors come into your driveway, the exterior is the first thing they see, and it’s also the first line of defense from the weather. Siding replacements are one of the most common home improvement jobs in the United States for these reasons.

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.

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.

The back door is not usually given a second thought. Most people think of it as strictly a means to the outdoor or back yard. And rarely is it considered a design component of a room.

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.

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?”

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.

One of the easiest ways to make shoveling less difficult and uncomfortable is to dress appropriately. It isn’t easy to dress for shoveling. After all, you need to consider the cold temperatures, wet ground, often harsh winds, and lastly your warm body.

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?

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.

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.  

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.

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?

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.

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.

Working on a ladder is a delicate process. Yes, the ladder will allow you to get to spots high up off the ground that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise. They are a useful tool that any roofer, builder, or amateur handyman should have at his or her disposal. To keep your ladder steady, it’s a good idea to have a roof ladder hook. The good news is that you can make these, and it’s simple.

They say that tall fences make good neighbors, and to a point, I can agree with that. You don’t want everyone knowing your business. Getting fencing installed, for most homes, is a must. The thing is, finding a fencing company can be a little tricky, especially if you aren’t very comfy with getting them all called to your home and fielding quotes over the phone. Most people wish they could just go to Home Depot and get their fencing installed. But, is this a thing?

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?

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?

The first thing people see when they come to your house is the front porch. Whether a small humble stoop or a large wrap-around showpiece, your porch should feel welcoming and make people want to see more. Therefore, if the front of your house needs a facelift, it’s time to spruce up your front porch.

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.

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:

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?

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.

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.

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.

If you need to have wood waterproofed, then chances are you’ve applied Thompson’s Water Seal to it. This waterproofing stain is known for being one of the best in the home improvement world when it comes to keeping your materials looking great. Of course, many of us want to make our projects look even better with a fresh coat of paint. But, is this actually doable?

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?

A pond in your backyard can be a fun feature, adding beauty and a relaxing, calming atmosphere. But if your pond ends up grimy, full of algae, or otherwise yucky, it’s anything but beautiful. So, how do you keep a backyard pond clean so it’s worth having as part of your oasis?

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?

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.

Drainage refers to the method of removing surface or sub-surface water from a particular area. Drainage systems are intended to dispose of wastewater as quickly as possible, while also preventing the gases from sewers and septic tanks from entering residential locations. Their main objective is to systemically collect and remove waste matter to preserve the healthy conditions in a residential or commercial setting.

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.

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.

It is easy to put concrete curbs out of your mind because of how commonplace they are in daily life. Whether you walk over concrete curbs every day or you simply drive alongside them, they’re a bigger part of your life than they may seem. With all of the functionality and benefits of concrete curbs, how many types are there?

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.

Snowplows block driveways because they move snow out of the way, and it moves to the sides of the vehicle. This can create big snowbanks that block nearby driveways and cars. Big snowplows have little control over the direction of the snow they push.

Having a home with a backyard is a blessing. It allows you the opportunity to enjoy nature, peace, and tranquility, especially in the summer months. There are all sorts of leisure activities perfect for the backyard, including grilling, sunbathing, and reading. But if your backyard is near a busy street, your backyard tranquility might be stifled by irritating noises. While it is easy to block the sight of traffic, is it possible to reduce the traffic noise in your backyard?