Home Improvement

If you use electricity to heat and cool your home, some of your money probably goes right out the windows when you pay your bill. Insulated curtains help you costs down by keeping heat in -- or out.

By Elizabeth Abbess

The idea of a chimney sweep might conjure up romantic notions of the film, "Mary Poppins." But chimney maintenance is serious business. Keeping your chimney clean is important in preventing chimney fires -- and potential house fires.

By Sarah Siddons

If your home's attic is nothing more than wasted space, you may want to remodel it. Whether you need a home office, an extra bedroom or a studio space, your attic is full of possibilities.

By Chris Marlowe

It's a lot glossier than your home's hardwoods. But there's more to it than that. How does sports flooring go easy on athletes' knees?

By Charles W. Bryant

There may come a time when you or a loved can't run up the stairs, step into a steaming bath or even walk in the front door. But there are some changes that can make your home accessible.

By Jessica Brown

Is it greener to renovate a home or to build a new one from scratch? It depends on your individual situation, and each has its own advantages.

By Josh Clark

Infrared light isn't visible because it's beyond the spectrum we can see. That's the gist of an infrared heater -- the heat is a product of light that is invisible to our eyes.

By Rosalind Jackson

As the weather gets colder, you might notice a draft entering your house from the windowsills. Placing a hand near the window on a windy night can reveal the source of the draft. Learn how to insulate your windows to save on energy.

By Andrew Aguecheek

Basements are by nature cool and damp. They can also account for significant heat loss from a home, so a good insulation job could end up saving you a lot of money.

By Richard Winter

Today's log cabins can come equipped with polished hardwood floors, great rooms, cathedral ceilings, picture windows, two-car garages, septic-tank plumbing, solar panels and floor plans of up to 5,000 square feet.

By Eleanor Duse

If you've been taking apart your vacuum cleaner on the kitchen table or cutting 2x4s balanced across the arms of your Adirondack chair on the patio, it's time to build a workbench.

By Elizabeth Abbess

In the 1970s and 1980s the bar stool was relegated to basement recreational rooms and rec-room bars. But these days, you'll find bar stools front and center in the heart of the home -- the kitchen.

By Sarah Siddons

If you're building something out of wood, you're going to have to choose between treated and untreated lumber. Which one is better?

By Elizabeth Abbess

Green communities aren't neighborhoods with lush grass and lots of trees. They're communities full of people who want to be eco-friendly.

By Sara Elliott

With your checklist and cleaning supplies in hand, you're ready to scrub your house from top to bottom. But where does this seasonal tradition come from?

By Josh Clark

Imagine living in a 10 by 7 ft home for more than five years, by choice. While the thought of willingly giving up extra square footage might be inconceivable to many, there's a new movement of people choosing small spaces over larger dwellings.

By Jessica Brown

The terms metal and steel are constantly used in the same capacity but are they really the same?

By Vivien Bullen

Pole barns are some of the simplest and cheapest structures to build. Do you have what it takes to construct your own?

By Richard Winter

Building stairs is a tough job, even if it's just a short porch staircase. You should attempt it only if you have carpentry experience and feel comfortable with the project.

By Sarah Siddons

Wheelchair ramps allow disabled people access to places they might not otherwise be able to go. Read up on how to build one safely and correctly.

By Simon Shadow

Your garage is so packed with stuff that your car has to sit outside and get pummeled by the elements. A carport might be the solution to your problems.

By Chris Marlowe

You consider yourself a pretty good do-it-yourselfer. But now you're ready for a real test: grouting tile.

By Chris Marlowe

Your house is uncomfortably hot in the summer. And energy costs seem sky high and climbing. What can you do to beat the heat and ease spending? You may want to consider installing an attic vent.

By Vivien Bullen

One of the most dreaded projects for homeowners is roof repair. If you're looking for an alternative to the exhausting process of roof repair and maintenance with asphalt shingles, you may want to consider rubber roofing.

By Rosalind Jackson

If you have to get the buckets every time it rains, you should consider re-doing your roof. Installing a roof can be a job for pros, but if you want a challenge or a way to save some money, perhaps you'd like to try installing the roof yourself.

By Vivien Bullen