Home Improvement

Some of us don't think crooked kitchen cabinets are delightfully quirky or that uneven tiles give the bathroom floor personality. Some of us want things to be straight. Is a laser the answer?

By Marie Willsey

With all of the parts involved, fireplaces can lose more heat than they provide. However, there are tools, tricks and green options so you can enjoy the look and warmth of a traditional fireplace.

By John Kelly

Famous hotel pools can be impressive, they pale in comparison to some of the world's most expensive pools, which can cost millions or even billions of dollars to build.

By Bambi Turner

Today's high-tech panic rooms are a far cry from fallout shelters of the past. You can have a basic reinforced closet -- or a luxury security den with an arsenal of weapons.

By Tiffany Connors

A forced-air distribution system is just what the name implies. Air is forced from the furnace through ducts to registers in various rooms. Learn to troubleshoot a forced-air distribution system.

By Walter Curtis

Repairing floors is easy if you know what you're doing. From annoying squeaks to sanding hardwoods, learn how to do it yourself when it comes to floor problems.

By Walter Curtis

Windows are a major source of heat-loss in most homes. They also may stick shut when they're painted or swell shut from humidity. Learn tips on how to keep your windows working properly.

By Fix-It Club

Painting can be a task that takes a couple of hours, a half day, or more. Whatever the size of your painting job, the techniques remain the same. Learn how to paint a room.

By Walter Curtis

From blocked gutters to loose shingles, the types of problems that can cause a leak in a roof are numerous. Use the tools in this article to help you make these kinds of home repairs.

By Fix-It Club

Most plumbing problems occur at or near such fixtures as sinks, tubs, and toilets. Sometimes, however, the pipes themselves are the root of the problem. Learn how to repair pipes.

By Fix-It Club

Heating systems are usually trouble-free. But no matter what type of furnace you have, there are several things you can do to keep the system in top condition. Learn how to maintain a furnace.

By Fix-It Club & Patrick E. George

Small improvements in the kitchen can make a huge difference -- without costing lots of money. Use our clear instructions to laminate a countertop, build a pantry or spice rack, or install a roll-out shelf.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

A houseboat's one way to stay at the beach. It might sound exotic, but day-to-day life on a houseboat poses some unusual challenges -- like staying afloat.

By John Fuller

Is vermicomposting an underground movement? Are people relying on little soil angels to provide the black gold they're searching for? Hey, if it doesn't work out, you can always use the worms for bait on your next fishing trip.

By Jennifer Pocock

Wouldn't it be great if you never had to pay for dry cleaning again? A steam dryer could make that wish a reality for you. And its washer companion could cleanse mildew, cat dander and other allergens out of your clothes.

By Jane McGrath

Blowtorches aren't just for welders and plumbers. These fire-breathing machines can cut metal and brown creme brulee.

By Jane McGrath

The United States has nukes, and so does Russia. Iran and North Korea have conducted nuclear tests, as well. In the event of a nuclear attack, what are you supposed to do?

By John Fuller

Staining wooden furniture isn't just a matter of stripping off one finish and applying another. The finish is only as good as the preparation for it. Learn how to stain wooden furniture.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Repairing wooden furniture is a process that can take many forms. There are numerous types of wooden furniture, so the types of repairs are similarly varied. Learn how to repair wooden furniture.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Most of us don't think about what's going on inside a copier while we wait for it to shoot out the copies. Find out how, in mere seconds, you can produce an exact replica of what's on a sheet of paper!

By Ann Meeker-O'Connell

With energy bills on the rise, homeowners are looking for new ways to use less power around the house. A cutting-edge window technology called the "smart window" allows consumers to fully or partially block light by turning a knob or pressing a button.

By Kevin Bonsor

In movies, burglars can open a lock using a paper clip. Is it really so easy? The basic process of picking a lock is simple, but it takes practice to get it right.

By Marshall Brain & Tom Harris

Aging brick and concrete home elements may require repairs. Save money when you follow these easy instructions to repair mortar and loose bricks, fix concrete stairs, and fill cracks in walls or potholes.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Learn how to unclog a drain, whether it's hair in a bathroom sink or a major blockage in your home's main drainpipe. These tips will help you out.

By Fix-It Club

A dripping faucet is the most common plumbing problem but one of the easiest to repair. Yet many people ignore it and leave it unrepaired. Imagine each drip as a penny lost and you may reconsider.

By Fix-It Club