Home Improvement

Can the same stuff in my placemat make wood floors? What does bamboo have to do with green building?

By Stefani Newman

This house uses the sun to power its refrigerator, gravity to pump water and bacteria to break down trash. How does it redefine green design?

By Jane McGrath

Does your neighbor regularly display appallingly bad taste? Would you rather not live next door to a tacky, new strip mall? Historic districts could be the answer to your neighborhood woes.

By Molly Edmonds

Wouldn't it be nice to have your favorite song start up the moment you walked in the house? Or to get the coffee brewing from bed? Smart homes can do all those tricks, and you might be able to afford one, even if you're not Bill Gates.

By Molly Edmonds & Nathan Chandler

Do you refuse to throw away your books, piling them on every scrap of counter space? It may be time to organize those beloved books and create a home library.

By Molly Edmonds

Insulation might look like cotton candy, but it's a little more practical. It's great for keeping your house warm, but some say it's just as bad as asbestos for your health.

By John Fuller

One man's bottle cap may be another man's doorbell. Whether they're working from economic necessity, an artistic bent or environmental motivation, some people build their homes from everyday objects.

By Josh Clark

You've had a long day at work and end your commute at a home that's hardly a castle. How can you turn that dingy kitchen into something fabulous on the cheap?

By Charles W. Bryant

Remember the story of the little pig who built a straw house, only to have the big, bad wolf huff and puff and blow it down? Nowadays, that pig would have a sturdy, energy-efficient home.

By Molly Edmonds

Your home is your castle, but it's also a huge financial investment. It won't hurt to use a little elbow grease and spruce things up -- starting with your cabinets.

By Charles W. Bryant

Telecommuting is an attractive alternative to office work for many people. Learn all about telecommuting in this article.

By Tim Crosby

Faxing documents from your cell phone makes it easy to do business from anywhere. Learn more about faxing documents with camera phone in this article.

By Dave Roos

It's not just a homeowner's nightmare -- toxic mold can damage your lungs and suppress your immune system. Where does it come from, and how can you keep it out of your home?

By Josh Clark

Asbestos can be hazardous to your health, but removing it from your home can expose you and your family to the material. What's the safest way to deal with asbestos?

By Josh Clark

What would happen if you stopped taking care of your house? Would it completely fall apart? How long would it take?

By Josh Clark

The Energy Star program helps cut down on the energy drain from computers and home appliances. But how much energy do Energy Star products save? And how much money will they save you?

By Tiffany Connors

Paperless home offices reduce environmental impact, save money and increase office efficiency and security. Learn about paperless home offices in this article.

By Diane Dannenfeldt

"Green" is one of the hottest buzzwords in construction. Proponents say green building is environmentally friendly -- and also healthier and more cost-efficient.

By Tiffany Connors

Locking your doors with deadbolts should be your first line of defense against home invasion. But what if that isn't enough? How can you keep your home safe?

By Josh Clark

Vinyl makes many consumer goods safer and more affordable. However, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) releases toxic fumes and when burned, it produces hazardous smoke.

By Josh Clark

When you sell your home, you want to maximize its value, but be careful -- you could end up spending more than you get back. Choose your home improvement projects wisely.

By Josh Clark

No one knows for sure, but chances are, it would make a terrible mess.

By Josh Clark

Overloaded outlets and poorly made power strips can cause an electrical overload that can ruin your holiday plans. How many plugs does it take to start a fire?

By Josh Clark

Prefab houses are growing in popularity as larger sizes and more options become available. Learn about prefab houses and find out how they are constructed.

By Tiffany Connors

HotSpot@Home lets you make cell phone calls over your home WiFi network. Learn how this useful technology integrates seamlessly between two networks.

By Dave Roos