Home Improvement

Driving up next to a limousine with dark tinted windows can make you wonder if there's an actor or athlete inside. While they're usually looking for privacy, the same tints are being applied to home windows -- but for very different reasons.

By Jessica Brown

If you've ever missed the nail and hit your thumb with a hammer, you understand the draw of a nail gun. And the raw power is a nice perk too. Some nail guns can launch nails at 1,400 feet per second.

By Tom Harris

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

In places where uranium is common in the soil, radon is a popular topic of discussion. Even though radon is "completely natural," it can be a real health hazard. Learn how radon forms and why it is so dangerous.

By Marshall Brain & Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

Whether you're out camping or in the midst of a power outage, gas lanterns are handy devices. Did you know they're radioactive? Find out how these lanterns produce light.

By Marshall Brain

Have you ever wondered how a house is built? Or what holds up the ceiling and walls? And how do you keep the rain out? It's a complex process that involves quite a bit more than you may think.

By Marshall Brain

Before the handy ballpoint, getting a few sentences onto paper was a pretty involved task. Find out how the ballpoint pen stores and manages its own ink supply to make writing a snap.

By Melissa Russell-Ausley

Repairing driveway cracks is a simple and rewarding project. Find out the keys to repairing driveway cracks to stop a smaller problem from becoming a larger one.

Chances are, even if you don't live in an area that's been going through a drought, you've probably heard about it on the news. But what can you do to help counteract the effects of a drought? Catch your own water, of course.

By Sara Elliott

It seems simple enough -- a skylight is a window in your roof. But skylights do more than just light up your room. They can have a profound affect on your mood, too.

By John Fuller

Whether you've been eyeing a new kitchen countertop or a pair of boots for your arch mobster rival, concrete has many applications. What's the recipe for this durable, ubiquitous substance?

By Robert Lamb

The Big, Bad Wolf can huff and puff all he wants, but he'll never blow one of these roofs off. Could a concrete roof protect you from violent storms (and wolves), or will it make your walls buckle?

By Robert Lamb

Wall switches help us turn on and power a wide variety of lights, fixtures and appliances. But what if a wall switch were to stop working? Learn how to replace a wall switch with the information in this article.

Has your lamp mysteriously stopped working? Don't through it away. It may only need to be rewired. Save yourself some cash and learn how to rewire a lamp with these easy to follow steps.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

It's all fun and games until your game system malfunctions. Why stare at a frozen screen in disbelief when you can prevent mishaps with regular cleaning? Here's how to keep things in working order.

By Chris Obenschain

For a lot of people, their shower is the sanctuary. A place to get away for a few minutes a day without any interruptions. It also can be a breeding ground for mold, mildew and grime. But, a few steps after you shower can deter the dirt.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Carpet used to almost be an afterthought, merely a decorative addition. Now it's one of the basic building materials that help determine a home's value. When you're shopping for carpet, the fiber will be your most important consideration.

By John Kelly

At the end of a long day, you want nothing more than to flop down in front of your flat-screen TV and zone out. But if you come face-to-face with a dusty, dirty LCD screen, you may want to clean it first. So how do you properly clean an LCD screen?

By Chelsea Hedquist

Cleaning glass, whether it's a window, a mirror or a coffee table, is more about the tools than the elbow grease. With the right stuff in your bucket, you can get your glass streak-free.

By Julia Layton & Alia Hoyt

You may not want to think about it now, but your shiny new cell phone will soon become encrusted with fingerprints, dust and all manner of filth. But how do you clean such a delicate piece of machinery? Very, very carefully.

By Dave Roos

You probably don't spend much time stressing over printer maintenance. Printers are generally pretty easy to use, but they can get dirty and clogged. How do you clean one effectively?

By Ed Grabianowski

Dirty bathrooms are gross. Really gross. Your bathroom should be cleaned at least once a week to keep it sanitary, as well as sparkling. Learn how to eliminate the dirt and scum from your bathroom.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

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