Yesterday, we installed an Enerflex reflective barrier in the attic of a local house. Our goal was to reflect the heat build occurring from the
As the weather begins to cool off, here’s a look at some outdoor products to help enhance your yard without all the heat.
Fences are game-changers—for both homeowners and their neighbors. Here’s an alternative to the traditional wooden fence.
Regardless of whether you have a workshop in a closet, basement, garage or a full-fledged woodworking, mechanics or metal-working shop, organization is the key to productive, safe and enjoyable work.
JacPac is a portable lightweight compressed gas system ideally suited for nailing applications. Using lightweight “refillable” liquid CO2 cylinders, this system offers adjustable air pressure
For a year the old oak tree had been on the ground and I just never got around to cutting it into firewood. The process
Update your garage with an easy-to-install floor protector.
Q: I had an electrician install 22 recessed remodel-style can lights in our basement ceiling. A lot of holes had to be cut for running
The past few months I have been dealing with router table issues. My old setup would not hold its position in the table and after
Q: We have roll roofing on a garden shed. During a storm a tree branch fell and stabbed a hole in the roofing material. What’s
Q: I installed a 2-by-2-foot drywall patch into a ceiling, but it turns out the piece is too thin and has a “pushed in” look,
Like many woodworkers, I certainly look for devices that make joinery simple. While at IWF I spoke with Peter Harper of General Tools and he
Congratulations to the following winners of the New Improved Painter’s Sets. You will be contacted
Pressure washers come in a variety of sizes, from the commercial washers with the capability of ejecting large amounts of steam to the smallest DIY
Unbelievable how fast this week flew by. Much of my time was spent overseeing the move of our web hosting from one service to DataPerk
Several months ago I tested a Wagner Paint Eater and found it to exceed my expectations. I used it for its intended purpose, removing loose
How cool is the ability to have your phone tell you how to take care of the specific plants you purchase? Beginning in Spring 2011
When I first used PEX, I was really attracted to the manifold systems I was seeing used. So I installed a manifold and I am glad
A whirlwind of projects went on this past weekend, despite the forecast of rains. All but one of the projects scheduled were exterior and the
Q: When hanging drywall, how far apart should I space the drywall fasteners? A: Fastener spacing for installing gypsum panels depends on the particular
Q: What’s a strong finish sealer to use on outdoor furniture? A: For an exceptionally weather-protective finish, use a multi-phase process that’s commonly used
Q: Our upstairs level is always hotter than the first floor of our home. What’s the easiest way to regulate this? A: You have a
Q: I’d like to add more insulation to the attic but I’m concerned about the installation cost. Is blowing fiberglass or cellulose insulation into an
The first time I ever encountered plug aeration was on a golf course many years ago. Aeration did not improve my golf game, but the
Fall is almost here and the leaves are already beginning to loosen their grip getting ready for their annual fall to the yard, the driveway,
Over the past few years it seems power tool accessories were not receiving much love from the press. While in Milwaukee in July with my
This past weekend wrapped up the traditional end to summer and like many of you, my family spent it on the lake. We have two
My fingers are numb from drawing names this afternoon, but we just finished and here is the list of the 50 Winners of the Painter’s
Equipping your Garage or Workshop with New tools and Supplies
Frame a New Home or Addition for Energy Efficiency. Anyone contemplating an energy-efficient room addition or building their own home has likely given careful thought
Hidden treasures in overlooked places can provide the right wood at the right price for your next project.
Rolling out a New Look in an Old Flooring Standard
Decorative accessories make a wooden handrail strong and stylish.
While using a cordless saw, EHT Online Editor Hal Jones, injures his leg. In a self confession, an expert talks about taking shortcuts and how they can lead to disaster.
Decorate Your Home with the Rugged Style of Stone
Tracing the Evolution of the Number One Exterior Cladding Choice.
Using the newest synthetic moldings and shingles as well as tried-and-true techniques to revive an old friend.
It’s funny, but one of the simplest devices we encounter has so much impact on whether things work or don’t. Here in the EHT office,
Some weeks stand out for various reasons, some good, some bad and others reach that level that make us shake our head and wonder what
Lofts can be very cool design features that add interest to interiors and take advantage of otherwise wasted space.
How to Reduce Radon, Humidity and Soil Gases in Your Basement. Okay, first off, radon is a dangerous gas that has well known health effects.
Building with pre-manufactured panels makes it simpler to brace walls for high winds and earthquakes.
This weekend was one of the hottest in years with triple digit highs and heat index of more than 110 degrees, so outside work
A Roundup of New Energy-conscious Home Improvement Products
By Matt Weber Quick Tips for Wall-to-Wall Carpet As I sat down to type this article on DIY carpet installation tips, I heard a radio
By Larry Walton Cutting Off Doors to Clear for your New Flooring. At Oregon Carpenters we hang hundreds of doors a year, so learning how
How to Install a Touch-activated Faucet
Woodgrain frames and decorative hardware enhance the home.
Our friend Jay at Ohio Tool is sponsoring this year’s Ohio Tool Racing Championships. Yes, a race of my power tool versus your power tool,
Are you a landscape professional, a landowner who needs the power of a commercial blower to keep your property in order, or just a homeowner who
Recently I tested a Husqvarna GTH26V48LS Garden Tractor. The first thing I noticed is Husqvarna used a seriously thick deck for its mower. The deck
One of the best things about our work is when we get to visit with tool manufacturers and try out new tools and see what
Power tool accessories make trusted tools more versatile than ever.
I was reading a commentary by Michael Anschel over at Hanley Woods Remodeling and it got me to thinking. Anschel proposed four elements to improve
Need a new place to keep books, a television or hobby supplies? Then build one.
Replacing your shutters? Consider installing decorative urethane shutters for years of low-maintenance curb appeal.
A PVC decking and handrail system serves as an attractive, low-maintenance alternative to traditional building materials.
Synthetic roofing provides a beautiful and durable replacement alternative.
Can I use Pex in Swimming Pool Applications?
Q: What’s an effective method to kill clover on my lawn? I don’t like the little white flowers that attract insects. A: Clover is
Q: How do I drill through tile without breaking it? My wife wants me to hang a knife rack on our kitchen backsplash. A:
Q: I’d like to refinish a cast iron clawfoot tub, but the prices I’ve been quoted are outrageous. Is this something I can do myself?
Q: Our dog has brought fleas into the house. How do I get rid of them? A: You need to apply insecticide products that
A reader asked me about using a five gallon plastic bucket instead of a store bought system, and the quick answer is yes you can.
Well $1500 later, including a new main pump for the filter system and a rebuild of the Polaris Vacuum System all is well. Here is
Jonathan Whitman of Helena, AL won the DeWalt Worm Drive Saw provided by Tyler Tool for Extreme How-To’s Ultimate Man Expo event held at the Birmingham(AL)-Jefferson
By: Hal Jones A month into our family gardening project, the kids are over the excitement of seeing flowers and green vegetables. The question I
The weekend warriors will be hanging out this weekend at Birmingham’s Ultimate Man Stuff Expo. This is our first local show for Extreme How-To and
By: Hal Jones Father’s Day Special Feature This weekend is Father’s Day and I am taking this opportunity to thank all of the dads
New Tools, Materials and Techniques for this Traditional Flooring Material
One of the cooler demonstrations we had at Bosch was the new technology used in its Speed-X Masonry Drill Bits. The rig used to test
When Milwaukee introduced its painting system it ventured into new territory for the Wisconsin based company known for its quality commercial power tools. The Milwaukee is
When Bosch first introduced this little drill at its 2009 World Media Event, the woodworking editors salivated over getting
Check out Grizzly Tools new Hybrid Tablesaw in dazzling white with an incredible introductory price. Introductory price is $758
Lawn and Garden Father’s Day Ideas Husqvarna introduces its Extreme Mower for landowners and we just couldn’t resist putting
Husqvarna’s LS series garden tractors with side discharge are ideal for large properties. They feature wide cutting decks, extra heavy-duty chassis, first-class ergonomics
I miss weeding. These inverted/upside-down, “Topsy Turvy” planters have taken away weeding as an excuse to get outside for some quite time. Basically, I water
Those of you keeping up with the trials and tribulations know about the swimming pool pump and motor giving up the ghost after many years
After many years of service, the Hayward pool pump at dad’s has succumbed to old age and arthritic bearings. I returned from Chicago and when
I spent the last week in Chicago at the Bosch Media Event held at its Chicago headquarters. The Bosch event is unique in that it
MyFixItUpLife breaks the mold on the regular home improvement call-in radio shows. Fun, fast and informative, think Live with Regis and Kelly meets Ask This Old
This years design interests in soft metallics has opened up a fresh approach to decorative plasters. Lusterstone provides the technical ease and beautiful results that
Not much to report, the main pool pump’s bearings are shot and will have to be replaced. See my earlier articles for my thoughts on
It has been two weeks since we planted the patio planter and already we are seeing blooms and some fruit setting. You can see from
Ok, so I admit it. I hate taking care of a swimming pool. But I hate my mother paying a pool service even more and
It’s a bad day when while driving on the hottest day of the year, your air conditioner suddenly fails, you try and slow down to pull
Extreme How-To will be suggesting some ideal Father’s Day gifts during the next few weeks. Today’s suggestion is for the dad who appreciates fine-quality workmanship
After years of getting my parents pool ready for the summer months, I have finally given up any hope of being able to uncover the
Q: My wife drove the car into the garage wall and did a lot of damage. She managed not to completely drive through the wall,
Q: I need to install fiberglass insulation batts in the drafty crawlspace of the “fix’er upper” house I recently purchased. How do I do this?
Q: I’d like to finish my basement, which currently has bare concrete block walls, but I’d prefer to avoid drywall because of all the mudding
Q: Is there any way to stop condensation of a toilet tank? Water beads up on the tank and drips onto the bathroom floor, and
Q: We have a flagstone patio with the stones mortared in place. The mortar is crumbling, leaving the stones loose and making a couple of
Q: I’m planning to build a deck on the back of my house. I want to put a ledger board along the rear wall, but
Ask any seasoned contractor where a deck is most likely to fail, and odds are they’ll point to the ledger board. If it’s not properly installed and protected from moisture, this critical connection point can quickly become the weak link in an otherwise solid structure. That’s where Trex® Seal™ Ledger Tape comes in—a moisture-blocking MVP […]
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