Construction

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

If you've ever seen a house being built, you probably saw a wooden latticework of spindly 2x4s outlining a shape somewhat reminiscent of a whale's ribcage. But there's another way to build a house, and it could save you a lot of money.

By Jessika Toothman

Whether you're a master chef or you just want a kitchen that makes it look like you are, it's helpful to know the top trends in kitchen design. What looks and technologies made our list?

By Julia Layton

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

If you face the massive task of cleanup and decontamination after a flood strikes your house, you may be tempted to demolish the structure and start over from scratch.

By Jane McGrath

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

Here's something that might surprise you -- after water, concrete is the second most consumed substance on Earth. But now it looks like we might have an environmentally friendly replacement for the concrete block.

By Molly Edmonds

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

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

People in the market for new homes usually have their eyes on key features during the search for their perfect potential abodes: location, space, a pretty yard. Others look for the green factor -- something Enertia Building Systems may provide.

By Jessika Toothman

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

Some people like to eat paste. Others like the smell of gasoline or even paint. Whatever your chemical predilection is, it's not good for you, and paint is no exception.

By Jennifer Horton

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

Let's say you're building a house. You want to "build green," but where do you start? Most likely, you'll turn to LEED.

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