Wood shims are thin, triangular blocks of wood used as spacers to make minor adjustments to the position of two adjacent objects. In window and
From yard signs to birdhouses to holiday decorations and more, homeowners may find all sorts of reasons to set a temporary post. To do this,
An enthusiastic DIY homeowner in our area recently incurred some serious expenses during a deck expansion project. The problem: When digging the footings he cut
By Paul Moore Since people started making things with wood, wax has been used to polish it. Wax has, in fact, been used in some
PVC is everywhere. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is the most commonly used plastic piping material. It’s corrosion-resistant, cost-effective and promises a long service life. It can
(guest post by Mikkie Mills) After several years of saving money, you are finally ready to purchase your dream home. However, you must first sell
Spring is here, and it’s time for homeowners to ready yards and landscapes for backyarding. The pandemic thrust us into a new reality, and the
June is National Pollinators Month and June 21-27 is designated as “National Pollinator Week.” Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S Department
By Matt Daigle While it’s not a common occurrence, skylights do fail. Flashing around the outside can come loose, seals can dry rot, and glass
Lindsey Wiese knew exactly what she wanted to do with her garage after moving into her new Austin, Texas home. Before household boxes, bikes and
Considering adding value to your home before putting it on the market? Perhaps you’re looking to update your house so it can become a more
Money can be a big problem if you are a beginner musician. There are many things you have to spend because of out-of-pocket expenses
8 Security Tips to Keep in Mind When Building a Smart Home Are you thinking about investing in smart home products for your home? These
(guest post by Megan Wenzl) If you’re anything like us, you love your home. Taking pride in where you live is one of
(guest post by Nate Smith) Any roofing job can be dangerous, whether you are an expert or a beginner. The nature of the
Ever start a home-improvement project and then wish that you hadn’t? According to a recent study at ImproveNet.com, 63 percent of people who have attempted
Homeownership can be challenging, rewarding and exciting. This is particularly true as you settle into a new house and get to know its character quirks,
I saw an interesting study recently on what Americans want in a dream home. Northshore Fireplace surveyed 2,000 Americans to determine their hopes for
(guest post by Judy Olsen) Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that possesses fireproof properties that made it a popular material for use in insulation,
Nothing can boost your in-home entertainment experience like a fully-equipped home theater. Although setting up a media room at home is an exciting project,
Here’s a short video showing how to install Timberchic peel-and-stick planks to create a decorative accent wall.
I’m typing this blog post as I pack everything I own into cardboard boxes. This is the week of the Big Move, where my family
Quebec City, Quebec —Tando’s Signature Stain(TM) adds a new color–Graphite–to its innovative cladding line. Manufactured by Derby Building Products Inc., Graphite expands the stained shake
Professional builders and DIY’ers alike can take advantage of the American Wood Council’s online (and free to use) Maximum Span Calculator for Wood Joists
The National Hardware Show is an enormous trade show where tool and equipment companies unveil the new products that will soon stock the aisles
Creating beautiful, custom floors for your home is easy with Marmoleum® Click CinchLOC. Available in 28 colors and two versatile formats (12” x 12”
Offering design appeal and privacy, block windows have been used in homes and commercial projects for more than a century. What started as the inclusion
The EHT staff recently tested the new YW7565 Chipper Shredder from Yardmax. Designed for the DIY landscaper, this model is built to last, and it’s
In the video below, a builder from Michigan demonstrates some amazing techniques of how to move and lift huge stones. He does this with
guest post by Chris Lundahl photo courtesy Flickr If you take pleasure in improving your house with fun DIY projects, why not install green
Stanford scientists have developed the first snaking robot that moves like a vine. Its ability to grow across distances without moving its whole body could
SYRACUSE, IN – What are two of the most popular polyurethane product lines manufactured by Nu-WoodTM? The Indiana-based company produces 76 different styles of durable
MILLS RIVER, N.C. – Made in the USA Day on July 2nd serves as the ideal time to focus on the benefits of constructing
Timeless woodgrain carriage house styles. Colorful attention-grabbing contemporary accents. Statement-making designs with eye-catching appeal. Experts at Haas Door recommend that homeowners open themselves — and
Around seven years ago, I reviewed some high-performance metal cutting saws from Evolution Power Tools. A couple weeks ago, the company again reached out to
At a recent press event that I attended at the Home Depot headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, I took part in a volunteer team of blog-writing
I recently spent a few days at the Home Depot headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. I toured the facility, explored the company’s Product Quality and Engineering
Sorting through my tax-return paperwork reminded me to check the IRS website to see what new 2017 Federal tax credits are available that I can
Armstrong-Clark Company announces three new colors using high quality trans-oxide pigments to its oil base wood stain product line. Black Walnut was formulated to respond
Here’s some big news in the tool world: Craftsman, which has for decades been the trademark tool brand of Sears Holdings, has been purchased by
One of the greatest comforts in the world can be the satisfaction in knowing that you treat your home with a high level of care.
Extreme How-To’s first book, The Quick & Easy Home DIY Manual, is now available at Amazon.com and other fine retailers! Order your copy in time
(Guest post by Merle Henkenius) How will you know when your water heater needs to be replaced? When its steel tank begins to leak. Conventional
(guest post courtesy SolidSurface.com) Wondering what the latest trends in kitchen design are? A few may surprise you! The modern kitchen is winning out
Having recently filed my Federal income taxes, I’m now thinking of ways I can pay the U.S. government less of my earnings next year.
(guest post courtesy Atlas Roofing) Many homeowners aren’t aware that impact damage caused by hail can be avoided. Not all shingles are manufactured to
LENEXA, KAN. – Homeowner Julie Beck knew she had to get a new roof when it started raining inside her attic. Cracked concrete tiles,
The “Home Inspector Blog” at the Star Tribune has published its Top 20 Home Inspection Photos from 2015. Take a look and have a chuckle
(guest post by Francesca Holmes) When it comes to the housing market, frequently the best deal in your city or town is not a
At the Grand Opening of power tool manufacturing at DeWalt’s facility in Greenfield, Indiana, on Veterans Day (November 11, 2015), DeWalt donated 70 power tools,
The EHT staff spent last week at the 2015 Remodeling Show/Deck Expo in Chicago. Here are a few highlights of what we saw on the
LENEXA, KAN. – Dangerous wildfires have dominated newscasts for months. Out-of-control wildfires this year have raged in Washington, California, Idaho, Montana, and several other states.
You need to enjoy yourself this fall. You’re a hard worker, but you should remember to make time to relax. A little downtime is good
I get a sense of internal conflict when I read about the “rise of the machines.” The science-fiction geek inside me would like to see
(Guest post by Jack Rubinger) Did you know that women who work at home have a 54 percent higher death rate from cancer than
The folks over at Certified Contractors Network scored an interview with comedian/talk-show host (and star of The Hammer!), Adam Carolla… CCN: In your experience in
(guest post by Kory Cantor) If you’ve spotted mold growing in your house and are worried sick about the hundreds of dollars you might have
Seventh-grade DIY’er William Simon offers a simple solution to conserve water in the toilets of your home. Check out his video! — M. Weber
Screws often come loose, whether it’s on a door hinge or it’s the fastener holding the armrest onto your rocking chair. The reason screws loosen
The Seek Thermal Camera is a tiny infrared camera that attaches to your Android or iOS device and uses a downloadable app that shows what
(guest post courtesy Atlas Roofing) How Do Architectural Shingles Compare to Traditional Flat Shingles? For consumers building a new home or replacing the roof on
If you’re reading this blog, then it’s a safe bet that all the rights and responsibilities which come with owning a home are extremely important
Congratulations to EHTcontributing author Robert Robillard, who has a taken a new position with the Boston Globe. He’s charged with writing and responding to
I freely admit that I have no first-hand experience with 3D printing or any particular knowledge of its technical wizardry, but I recognize it
A particular news story caught my attention during this holiday season. During a Christmas gathering, twenty members of a Kentucky family gathered on an
“DIY is in decline because today’s men are too soft.” This was a recent headline by UK-based newspaper, The Telegraph. Regarding a cultural
Last week the Extreme How-To staff went to the 2014 Remodeling Show/DeckExpo in Baltimore, Maryland. Aside from the good beer and great crab cakes, here’s
Guest post by Francesca Holmes Even a cursory glance at the top interior design websites highlights the growing popularity of frameless glass. Most often
I spent last Friday touring a Georgie-Pacific manufacturing plant in Thorsby, Alabama. I saw first-hand how log trucks deliver the raw Southern pine that is
Over the weekend I came across some information on generating heat from compost, which struck me as a really interesting idea. Composting is the
Our friends at Arch Wood Protection Inc. have rolled out an educational program designed to address the wood-treatment process and proper use of preserved wood
Check out this new video from Arke’. This video features the selection process and installation of an Arke’ spiral stair kit.
(Guest post courtesy Garage Door Repair, LLC) When you face a non-working garage door, you may fear an expensive repair bill. The good news for
Better late than never, the Oxford English Dictionary has finally added the word “DIY’er” to its official list of new words. As of March 2014,
Imagine a DIY stair kit that allows total flexibility for endless configurations, with 1 or 2 one-quarter turns (for L- or U-shaped staircases) to fit
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty chainsaw built tough enough to withstand the roughest ranch and farm environments, then check out the new CS-590
The future of manufacturing will probably rely heavily on 3D printing. If you aren’t yet familiar with the process, Wikipedia defines 3D printing or
Sears asked me for a few quotes on “must-have woodworking tools”. They used my feedback along with that of a number of notable woodworkers
Sink some teeth into your next project with The Bad Dog Biter. Available from Bad Dog Tools, the Biter attaches to an electric drill to
Checked on the condition of your asphalt roof lately? GAF sent me these tips for an early winter inspection. — M. Weber Is your roof
I’m always amazed at the ingenuity of people in the building trades. It’s a shame that modern society puts so much emphasis on higher education
The EHT staff spent a few days in Chicago in October at the 2013 Remodeling Show/Deck Expo. We were on the lookout for new products
Post sponsored by The Home Depot, but all opinions are my own. Professional contractors who do business at the Home Depot have a slick
Wood rot is caused by a type of fungus that destroys wood. It is as damaging as termite or other insect infestation, and can wreak
This synthetic shake roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes looks like real wood but lasts for decades without maintenance. — M. Weber
Our friends at GAF, North America’s largest Roofing Manufacturer based in New Jersey, offers these tips for how to get your roof ready for
Celebrated for his groundbreaking woodworking jigs and more, Burt Weinstein has sadly passed away. You’re reading about it here because Mr. Weinstein was a friend
The following is a guest blog post courtesy of Dave Francis, National Safety Director for Little Giant Ladders. As the National Safety Director for an
Lightweight, powerful and eco-friendly, CORE’s Power Lok 40-volt cordless lawn equipment offers a split boom for various attachments including a string trimmer, hedge trimmer and blower.
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
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
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
Craftsman is on the road this summer to inspire Americans to open their tool boxes and start working with their hands, all while making
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
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
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
No matter what material is used for the surface of a deck, the substructure is likely to be built with wood. Over time, water leaking through deck boards can cause hidden damage unless the wooden joinery of the foundation is properly protected. In fact, builders have reported that wood left exposed to the elements can […]
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