Construction

If you've ever wondered about the Formica countertops in your kitchen or bath -- or the laminate that tops tables and furniture -- this article is for you.

By Simon Shadow

OSB stands for oriented strand board -- it's a competitor for plywood. So how do the two products stack up?

By Rosalind Jackson

Investing in a newly built home is a large undertaking, both emotionally and financially. When dealing with a project of this magnitude, one of the first tasks you'll come across is creating the home's floor plan.

By Vivien Bullen

When you think of a metal roof, you think of a dilapidated lean-to with a corrugated tin roof. Today roofs are usually made of an asphalt/fiberglass combination or wood shingles.

By Sarah Siddons

Stamped concrete is a form of decorative concrete that looks like other materials like brick, tile and wood. You can do it DIY, but it takes some skill.

By Mitch Ryan

Whether you're repairing concrete structures or coating surfaces, Quikrete products can be a simple and inexpensive solution.

By Vivien Bullen

Blazing fireplaces make things cozy and warm - but they're not very energy-efficient. Fireplace inserts will save you money and time.

By Richard Winter

To most house hunters, granite means luxury and elegance. Concrete, on the other hand, is edgy, trendy and infinitely adaptable. So in terms of looks, durability and safety, which countertop is better?

By Julia Layton

Granite countertops don't come in the delightfully unnatural colors of 1960s orange or candy apple red, which is why many homeowners opt to install quartz in their kitchens. What else does quartz offer?

By Charles W. Bryant

Hiring a contractor can be similar to acquiring a brother in-law, except that when it comes to a contractor, you're the one who gets to do the choosing -- not your wayward little sister. What do you need to know before you hire one?

By Jessika Toothman & Kate Kershner

Fluorescent lighting uses less energy than incandescent bulbs, but there's no replacing the sun for efficiency and for lifting your spirits. Is it possible to bring natural sunlight indoors?

By Jonathan Strickland

There are many tools that builders find useful, but only a few of them are absolutely critical. What tools are essential to get the job done?

By Jonathan Strickland

Ceramic tile may spruce up your kitchen, but this material is more than just a pretty face. How does clay get transformed into something so strong and useful?

By Molly Edmonds

It's been preferred in Europe since the 1970s, but can radiant floor heating help with your allergies and get you a good night's sleep? Why would it make you toss your snow shovel?

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

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

"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

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

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

Tough, wear-resistant granite has long been one of the most popular choices for countertops. You should probably think twice before installing it yourself, though.

By Richard Winter

If you've installed a replacement door or two around your home, it seems pretty simple -- all it takes is tightening a couple of screws and you're done. Installing the largest door in your house, however, is not quite so simple.

By Sarah Siddons

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

Adobe construction is one of the oldest building techniques known to man, but why is it now one of the hottest modern housing trends?

By Linda C. Brinson