Home Improvement

You may have heard the term ‘Energy Star’ or seen the labels on various appliances, but what is the Energy Star program?
The Energy Star program is a voluntary labeling program sponsored by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Energy Star label helps businesses and consumers easily identify highly efficient products, homes, and [...]

Any structure, whether a house, a garage, or workshop, is only as secure as the foundation on which it rests!
Building a foundation is not usually considered a do it yourself project, but it can be done with a little advice from your contractor or a friend who has experience.
But, if you plan ahead and study [...]

Woven bamboo blinds and ‘Matchstick’ shades originate from a long tradition in Japanese window coverings.
Bamboo has been used widely since ancient times as an interior design element in many Asian countries. It is environmentally friendly and can be harvested within two years of planting without killing the plant, providing a plentiful supply.
Modern technology has improved [...]

An increasing number of houses are being built with foam board, also known as rigid foam, core panels these days.
They attract many people because of their high insulation value and the ease and speed in construction.
Foam board wall panels can be used in homes, or in garages. In my last home, we used them to [...]

Window tinting film can help you solve problems with heat, glare, fading and privacy without blocking your view.
It is a simple, cost-effective way to increase your home’s comfort, energy-efficiency and overall appearance.
Insulating window tints add year round comfort to your home. They reflect the sun’s heat in summer. As a result, your home feels cooler [...]

Choosing window curtains for your home can be one of the most daunting decorating tasks a homeowner or renter can face!
They can make such a large impact in the room- how do you know what to choose?
First you should evaluate the design of the window itself. Also, look at the window in the framework of [...]

There are several reasons to install a home or sink water purifier.
Having a filter for your drinking water or showers is a good step toward ensuring proper health.
Bottled water sold in North America often isn’t filtered and may not be any cleaner or safer than tap water, according to a study conducted by the Natural [...]

As the saying goes, they just don’t make things like they use to. So why not decorate your home with treasures from the past?
Using vintage curtains can give your home the warm, homey inviting look you’ve been searching for! You can purchase vintage curtains from yard sales, flea markets, ebay, or any number of websites.
You [...]

Track lighting is a simple way to add lighting to an entire room or provide accent lighting to highlight special features such as artwork.
This type of lighting is installed on a mounting track fixed to your ceiling.
The track can be custom configured to fit into the area desired and involves little or no remodeling since [...]

Plantation shutters, once common, especially in the south, are regaining in popularity!
So what are they? Plantation shutters are interior shutters installed inside a window. Though the name is often used to describe any interior window shutters, true plantation shutters feature that are 2 ½ to 4 ½ inches wide, set into panels that are 12 [...]

Since the beginning of time, families and friends have gathered around fires for companionship, dining, and entertaining.
As the patio and garden evolve into outdoor entertainment rooms, many people are looking for ways to add outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, or fire bowls to their outdoor spaces.
Before you purchase your outdoor fireplace, there are some things you [...]

If you have ever dreamed of living in a log cabin but have never taken it seriously simply because of all the work it requires, you no longer have any excuse.
Log siding uses half-logs that are nailed up just like regular wood siding, except they give off the appearance of a log cabin. These half-logs [...]

If you live along the coastline, especially the southeastern or southern coastline, your home should have hurricane shutters installed.
If you do live in a hurricane zone, you should definitely install hurricane shutters. Hurricane shutters protect your home from extreme damaging winds.
These winds throw debris against your house at speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour. In [...]

We’re all familiar with fluorescent lighting in one form or another.
Almost all of us have worked in offices where the glow of fluorescent lights hummed overhead! In recent years, however, compact fluorescent bulbs that can be used interchangeably in sockets originally designed for incandescent light bulbs has brought the use of functional and decorative fluorescent [...]

The fireplace in the living room plays an important role in retaining the warmth of your home.
Choose the right fireplace mantle to coordinate with your fireplace and the rest of your home decor.
Fireplace mantels are also known as mantelpiece, mantelshelf and fireboard. Fireplace mantels are generally made from stone, wood and marble, which are the [...]