In the South we have the expression: “Don’t put the cart before the horse.” It reminds us to keep things in the right order, to
It’s Not the Fall, It’s the Sudden Stop By Matt Weber
Sanding is the foundation of any finishing project—or refinishing project. Whether you’re removing an old finish or preparing a piece of fine furniture, just about
We’re finally in the season for fun in the sun, when homeowners can make the most of their outdoor environment. Chilling out with a cold
Summer humidity can bring an unwanted visitor to your home or cabin: mold. If mold has taken hold where you live or play, think twice
July 1, 2013 – BESSEY announces an extension of the Auto- Adjust Toggle Clamp line from three to eight
Introducing a Revolution in the Evolution of the Traditional Folding Sawhorse Traditional sawhorses have been around for hundreds of years. In fact, they’ve been around
I recently spruced up a pressure-treated deck with the new Transformation Deck & Fence Stain from Sashco. This particular deck has very little shade during
Chisel Wolverine Mid-Cut Boot Get the comfort of a hiker plus the protection of a steel toe with the Wolverine
By Rob Robillard A great summer or fall project to prep for the winter. Keeping firewood dry is critical to a successful fire. You don’t
Wolverine Griffin Work Boot The Wolverine Griffin work boot combines time-tested comfort technology with the best new components and materials.
Extreme How-To has friends “across the pond” at Walls and Floors UK who have written an article on “Tiling Tips” especially for our blog.
New Supplies for the Great Outdoors Before friends and neighbors ever make it to your home they’re greeted by your lawn. The home’s curb appeal
By Mark & Theresa Clement If the value of a project is measured in how often you use it, our compost bin is well near
Craftsman is on the road this summer to inspire Americans to open their tool boxes and start working with their hands, all while making
By Matt Weber When it’s time to give your lawn its first summer haircut, be sure to keep the edges neat. Grass and weeds
Our house has a rear door that leads to a backyard deck. Both my two-year-old son and our cocker spaniel go in and out of
Q: I seem to have a lower water pressure in an upstairs faucet. How can I fix this? A: If the water performance is a
Q:I like the look of floating shelves for my kitchen. How do they mount to the wall without shelf brackets? A: Floating shelves are basically
Q: I’ve noticed some cracks in the block retaining wall adjacent to my driveway. Is this a sign that the wall is failing? A: The
Q: I need to move some electrical lines to make room for built-in bookshelves. Can I get away with tucking the lines beneath one of
By Rob Robillard A client recently asked if I would replace her badly worn-out roof deck. This wooden deck was built over her screen porch
The Extreme How-To staff recently spent a week in Las Vegas for the 2013 National Hardware Show. We exhibited our magazine at the show as
Garage door backup-battery dead? Here’s how to bring it back to life By Bruce W. Smith
Oneida Super Dust Deputy Oneida Air Systems’ new Super Dust Deputy can turn your inefficient single-stage dust collector into a super cyclonic collector. This molded,
When it’s time to hit the hard stuff—tile—keep these tips in mind for a successful installation. By Matt Weber
A handy hit list for procuring a contractor… Even the handiest of homeowners usually have a threshold where they decide it’s smart to forgo doing
May 1, 2013- Sure Drive USA, a division of Pan American Screw and a member of The Marmon / Berkshire-Hathaway Corporation, is very excited to
Here’s a look at the Ins and Outs of Up and Down Gardening
The National Hardware Show is a fun show for tool hounds and DIY’ers. Held this May in Las Vegas, Nevada, it’s the prime place for
Using Urethane Column Wraps to Wrap it up. By Kathy Ziprik
Next to the trusty electric drill, a good handheld circular saw is the must-have tool for the pro handyman and DIY homeowner alike. No other
One of EHT‘s most recent projects was a complete roof tear-off and replacement job, using synthetic shake roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes. You’ll be finding the
The EHT staff recently participated in a window replacement project where old, rotted wooden windows were removed and replaced with energy-efficient vinyl units from Simonton
You may be an expert on air-conditioning technology. I am definitely not, but I’ve been diligently studying HVAC systems in order to qualify in
Cracks in caulk joints occur because the house moves, and the caulk doesn’t move with it. This movement can occur when the house settles,
Now that we’re entering the warmer months, it’s tempting to crank up the ol’ air conditioner, but the high cost of electricity will have many
FAST. EASY. ACCURATE. Timberline Sharpener is the portable precise tool that works on any chainsaw. The key to the tool is a solid platform that
Last summer I customized these plans from Woodsmith.com to build a sectional entertainment center that would match the ridiculously large TV that might wife
Behold the latest Extreme How-To video — a great weekend project for the DIY’er with a table saw. Just click below to play…
Q: I have a large, intrusive air duct along the ceiling of my basement and it’s posing a problem for me to finish the room
Q: Should I be concerned about expansion and contraction when installing PEX tubing? A: PEX expands and contracts at a greater rate than copper,
Q: Is the equipment required to add spray foam insulation available for rent? A: The specialized equipment necessary to apply spray foam insulation is
Q: A local construction company offers a “helical pier system” when building a deck. How does this type of system work? A: Helical piers
Lansky Control-Angle Sharpening System Expert craftsmen know the secret to proper knife care is maintaining a good bevel and a
A thorough cleaning along with an application of a penetrating wood stain will do wonders for the looks and long life of your wood fence.
By Larry Walton When we were kids we could make use of small spaces throughout the house for forts and games of hide and
The Wolverine Griffin work boot combines time-tested comfort technology with the best new components and materials. Featuring Wolverine DuraShocks, individual compression pads in the heel
Installing Shaker-style Crown Molding with Rope Lighting By Rob Robillard
Surgical Repair of a Rotten Sill, Trim and Siding. By Matt Weber
By Clint C. Thomas, Esq. Photography by Zoe Thomas Window glass breaks. It breaks for a variety of reasons. Broken windows
New windows offer some big advantages for homeowners. Replacement units offer smooth operation, tasteful decorative options, more energy efficiency and less routine maintenance. The problem
By Matt Weber A cutting tool is only as good as its blade, which is why professionals and savvy DIY’ers recognize the importance of regular
Working in the home-improvement industry has its perks. For example, I get a lot of saw blades sent to me as product samples. Sometimes I’m
AHRI Offers Homeowners Simple Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Maintenance Tips The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) reminds homeowners that the spring season is
I’ve been using Sashco’s Lexel Adhesive Caulk lately on projects both inside and outside the home. When you need a top-notch seal, this is
By Angela Freeman Are your neighbors a bit odd? Chances are, they’re not nearly as strange as these guys. From artsy to nifty to, “What
Talk about “extreme” landscaping… Outdoor Advantage is an Atlanta-based landscaping company that I follow over at HomeTalk.com. They recently posted a photo set of a
A friend of mine posted the following video to Facebook. I don’t know anything about the product shown aside from what you see in the
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
Cable railing has become one of the fastest‑growing trends in outdoor living design, and for good reason. Homeowners want cleaner sightlines, modern aesthetics, and materials that don’t require constant upkeep. Builders want systems that install cleanly, tension reliably, and hold up to weather without callbacks. DeckWise Cable Rail Kits hit that sweet spot by combining […]
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