Home Improvement Exterior

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!

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.

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.

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.

Outdoor lighting really adds glamor to your home’s facade if you design it right. But just as with lighting the inside of your home, exterior lighting is a bit complicated, and there are many ways you can go astray. When it comes to flood lights, for example, there are definite do’s and don’ts to consider when installing and positioning them.

If you want to install a chain-link fence, concrete is an easy way to ensure that your wall will stay there forever. However, you may want to avoid putting your fence in concrete, as it takes a great deal of time and money. It begs the question: do you need to use concrete to install a chain-link fence?

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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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?

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.

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.

Concrete slabs are necessary for a variety of different projects. Maybe you need a concrete patio for your summer night parties- or a foundation to build your shed. Perhaps, you have another project in mind.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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. 

After binge-watching real estate shows, you might think you need to fix everything in your house before you can list it. But the truth is, you can overdo it. Some things just aren’t worth repairing or upgrading before you sell. However, there are undoubtedly home fixes you must complete before selling. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular ways to protect the outside of your home, and rightfully so. It prevents damage from the elements, adds a modern veneer, and also can raise the price of your home. Switching from one home exterior (like stucco) to vinyl seems like a good idea. The question at hand, of course, is if it’s even feasible to put vinyl over stucco in the first place.

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.

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. 

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?

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?”

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.

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.

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?

Owning a home can be fun and exciting, especially when it comes to styling the outside as an expression of your character. However, this can be done in more than one way. Instead of painting the house or trim, what if you change your garage door colors to add some pizazz? Some people even choose to have black garage doors, but is this a bad idea?

Asbestos is the great boogeyman of building materials. Once seen in almost every home as a siding material, it’s now regarded as “blue death.” Builders do not want to touch it unless they absolutely have to, and rightfully so. It’s cancer-causing. But, when you have asbestos siding, it feels like you need to work with it. Can you place siding over asbestos?

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.

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. 

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?

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.

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.

It’s easy to postpone maintenance on your home when you’re worried about money and time. After all, even the simplest home repairs can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. However, the longer you put it off, the more it will pile up.

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.

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.

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.