Q: I’d like to get an early jump on this year’s gardening. What edible plants are suited for sowing in March? A: Unless you live
Q: My kids have torn a towel rack off the bathroom wall twice. The mounts are not located over wall studs, so I’ve been using
Q: I built a coffee table and would like to finish the wood with a clear coat. My neighbor recommends that I first seal the
Q: What’s the best way to remove pencil marks from the pieces of a woodworking project? Sanding seems unnecessarily abrasive, while using an eraser tends
Ridgid R4090 Tile Saw, “The Beast” The EHT staff has relied on Ridgid wet saws for years, and we recently had the opportunity to
Deck construction is an evolving art. Every year new materials are introduced, technology advances, tools are innovated, and building codes get updated. In this issue,
Here’s a press release I just received. Is DIY Home Remodeling Dying? – New Report from RemodelOrMove.com SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/
Keeping Building Materials Out of the Landfill with Habitat for Humanity
Synthetic building materials create a new porch ceiling with rustic woodgrain beams. Contractor Steve Roth wanted to give new life to an old porch, so
By Clint C. Thomas, Esq. Photos by Zoe Thomas The roof is one critical component of a house. Every house has one, but very few
By Tim Walton Photos by Larry Walton Getting started in the morning has always been a challenge for me. Please don’t ask my wife about
By Matt Weber What can be said about the importance of accurate measuring? Without it, our buildings sure would look funny. Here’s a handful of
Q: Can I glue down a resilient vinyl floor directly to an Oriented Strand Board (OSB) subfloor? A: This is not recommended. Subfloors such
Q: I would like to build a small utility shed. What would be the easiest method for a first-time DIY’er to construct a roof? A:
Q: Why are there faded areas on the carpeting around the windows on one side of my house? A: This is probably a sign of
Q: What is a ductless mini-split system for HVAC in home? A: A ductless mini-split system is a heating/cooling system comprised of an indoor evaporator
Veto Pro Pac Model XL The Veto Pro Pac Model XL is a rugged tool bag designed to address the many problems associated
Building a bridge for a volunteer project demonstrates DIY takeaways for every job. By Mark & Theresa Clement When Theresa and I were asked if
Here’s a quick look at some cool new products I saw at the 2013 International Builders Show that might interest the DIY Homeowner.
Caulking: It’s a necessary evil. Applying the stuff is a messy job, often requires uncomfortable work on your knees, and
Weather-ready Curb Appeal By Paul Williams One of the fastest ways to add curb appeal to a home exterior is to surround the windows and
Anyone can paint, but not everyone can paint well. Avoid these common mistakes on your next painting project. 1. Tone it down. If you’re considering
Who doesn’t love a new way to break stuff? By Matt Weber
By Matt Weber Home buyers and home builders should know the ins and outs of their heating system.
The EHT staff has relied on Ridgid wet saws for years,
Q: I’m building a new home and trying to decide on a heating system. How do I compare heating fuel costs? A: Heating system fuels
Q: How do I level a concrete floor with low spots to prepare for tile installation? A: To install tile, laminate or hardwoods over
Q: I have a rental house with a bathroom that has problems with sewer odor. Do you have any advice on how to address this?
Q: I’ve noticed that some tool manufacturers are making laser layout tools that generate a green laser rather than a red laser. What’s the difference?
Q: We plan to soon repaint several rooms in our house. Do you recommend flat paint, satin or a semi-gloss sheen? A: The choice of
Q: I’d like to convert a spare bedroom into a music room. Do you have any advice on soundproofing an existing room? A: To reduce
Q: When building a cinderblock wall, should I fill the voids in the blocks with mortar? A: We recommend filling the empty spaces of the
Q: I’ve seen a faux finish painting technique that combined two different colors onto a wall. What is this technique called and how do I
Q: What’s the difference between normal carpet and “natural fiber” carpet? A: Natural-fiber floor covering is often selected for its environmental appeal, because the fabrics
Q: I plan to convert my unfinished basement into a finished living space. When installing drywall on the basement ceiling, do the panels attach directly
ShopBot Desktop CNC Tool The ShopBot Desktop is a small-footprint CNC machine for hobbyists, educators, and small and mid-size business owners. It serves as
For homeowners with a taste for the contemporary, a recent report projects the top home design and remodeling
By Larry Walton You know the place. It’s the little room where your wife tells you not to use the good towels that match the
By Larry Walton Making Machines Ready for the Long, Cold Winter Those who attended the Olympic games in London may remember it differently, but we
By Paul Williams When selecting your new stove you have several options. It’s not just looks but also design, function, fuel and operation. Wood
The classic walnut gun cabinet safely stores guns, ammunition and valuables while adding beauty to your decor.
In an effort to shape up the curb appeal of one of our project houses,
By Matt Weber Don’t blame the showerhead for a leaky spout. The problem originates in the valves behind the shower handles.
Matt Weber Modern technology is a mixed bag. Although I’m generally disappointed in the glaring absence of flying cars and hover-boards that I
If you’re planning to build a deck near a pool or spa,
Simonton Windows, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of vinyl windows and patio doors, has launched the Simonton ProNetwork ™ program for builders, remodelers, contractors and
The Energy Detective 5000-C The Model TED 5000-C home energy monitor comes with all the components necessary to keep track your home’s energy usage,
By Tim Walton We’ve all heard that impressive, at least to motorheads, roar of a loud diesel exhaust.
By Matt Weber Installing Aluminum Weather-Stripping Around a Leaky Door.
By Larry Walton Build a patio shade cover without obstructing the view Have you ever walked into form boards on a lumber rack? Or, have
Equip your Favorite Workspace with these new tools and supplies. Gladiator Rack Shelving For storage of large, bulky items, homeowners can use the Gladiator
When replacing an interior door, try to replace just the door blank rather than removing the casing and door jamb.
Shock and Awe: Install High-Performance Suspension
Tile is hard. Tile is unforgiving. Tile bends for no man, but when it’s under too much pressure, it can snap. The rigid ceramic or
By Charlie Self A Handy Technique for Treating Tools, Blades and More
By Matt Weber A Look at New Innovations in those Toolbox Staples.
Here’s something new in the world of caulk: ExactColor Sealant from Sashco is an easy way
Wolverine is introducing a new work boot with technology that allows for ultimate customizable comfort. The new Gear work boot features Wolverine ICS technology, a
This powerfully advanced Stand-alone System has 5 steps to give you the cleanest air possible:
Ridgid Roofing Cutter Ridgid’s new pneumatic roofing tool cuts roofing materials effortlessly. Its 9,600-SPM (strokes per minute) operating speed provides superior cutting in cold
By Rob Robillard Paint your electrical plates to match your wall color. Nothing creates more immediate impact than a fresh coat of wall paint, especially
By Matt Weber A frank look at what you can expect.
By Clint C. Thomas, Esq. Photography by Zoe Thomas A Rose By any Other Name. Build a wooden rose arbor to enhance your home’s outdoor
By Matt Weber EHT takes a look at a variety of DIY-friendly garage storage products for the garage and workshop.
By Mark and Theresa Clement Every Deck has its Day. Steps for Rebuilding your Backyard Deck. The beloved backyard deck, in historical terms, is a
Who doesn’t love a new way to break stuff? Instead of
By Charlie Self Cultivating Garlic in a Raised Bed Garlic bulbs are available everywhere, but the pleasure of growing your own is great. It is
I spent the weekend at an arts and crafts festival at the Tannehill Ironworks State Park
By Matt Weber I started my first backyard garden last year, having for decades watched my dad and grandfather tend large gardens of their own.
By Clint C. Thomas, Esq. Photography by Zoe Thomas Making the most of a Backyard Garden America’s doctrine of westward expansion, known as Manifest Destiny,
Professional painters take note: The Scrammer is on its way. The multipurpose Scrammer
By Clint C. Thomas, Esq. Photographs by Zoe Thomas Trim Paint with Perfection.
By Matt Weber Gear up for summer with new equipment for your outdoor improvements. Black & Decker 36V Tiller For the 2012 spring
It’s time to give your lawn its back-to-school haircut.
Now you can have both the soft, warm comfort of a sweatshirt along with protection from the cold and wind with the Wolverine Regulator Full
By Matt Weber Cabinet veneer gives the appearance of solid hardwood at a fraction of the cost.
By Tim Walton It’s easy to feel torn when trying to decide what kind of mods you’d like to do
By Rob Robillard Create a beautiful water feature with some simple materials and a little ingenuity.
The cleaning and staining of the deck was way past due (for probably 3-4 years). Six years ago I wrote this article (http://extremehowto.com/deck-makeover/) describing the
By Michael Springer A Guide to Glues and Adhesives used in Home Improvement. There is a dizzying array of glue and adhesive products in the
Here’s an example one of those unexpected chores that seem to come up on every remodeling job … In this case, I had to
By Matt Weber Refinish a deck to renew the look and protect it from the elements. For decades genuine wood has remained America’s most
I noticed that our friend Marc from HomeFixated.com — a very cool home-improvement and tool review blog — showed Extreme How-To some love with his
By Larry Walton Under the Hood — Install an oven range hood to upgrade your kitchen’s exhaust system. When the Vendettis decided to upgrade their
(photo courtesy Liquid Nails) Trim Work: When it comes to installing exterior molding and trim, a simple way to save time and money is to
How’s this for an interesting business model: Textbook Painting. No, the company doesn’t paint your textbook. It’s an entrepreneurial painting service that serves two purposes:
By Larry Walton Photos by Larry and Tim Walton Step by Step instructions for reconfiguring your kitchen cabinets to install a dishwasher. Lacey Melton, my
By Matt Weber New Concrete Coating Converts a Dull Slab into a Colorful Canvas. The natural color of concrete has all the flair and fashion
We recently demonstrated a variety of tile-cutting tools for an upcoming EHT article. Check out our October issue for coverage on everything from old standards
By Mark and Theresa Clement Installing a synthetic slate roof: How to cool down—and amp up—the house’s hot spot. A roof is one of the
By Mark and Theresa Clement On the set of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition playground project in Joplin, MO. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is such
Winning. For DIY’ers, choosing the right paint sheen for the right application can be a confusing ordeal. To help clear things up, Debbie Zimmer, paint
By Matt Weber How to Build a Sectional Entertainment Center with Pocket-hole Joinery.
“Be prepared.” That’s the Boy Scout motto, and wise words for DIY’ers in this era of face-eaters and doomsday-preppers. And, while we don’t generally blog
Installing a squeak-free floor should be the goal of any professional flooring installer–and the hope of any homeowner. To accomplish this requires diligent floor prep,
Major work on a house usually requires a building permit and an inspection by a city official to make sure all remodeling is done in
I knew a lot of homes had asphalt shingles–but 85% of the homes in America? … Wow. If you’ve got 2-1/2 minutes then you can
By Matt Weber Over the course of many years and many flooring jobs, the EHT staff has developed a list of favorite flooring tools that
The best footing tube base & pier footing tubes available today are made by Bigfoot Systems®. The Bigfoot team has been in the construction business for many years and has developed a variety of Bigfoot products for all your construction needs. Rigid plastic footing forms are alternatives to conventional forming methods for concrete pier […]
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