By Fran J. Donegan Gutters are one of the first lines of protection against the elements. Sure, the roof may bear the brunt of a pounding rain, ice or snow, but it’s the gutters’ job to make sure that water moves off of the roof and away from the...
Guide to Setting Up Your Above-Ground Pool Equipment
By Fran J. Donegan When compared to an in-ground pool, a large above-ground pool is considerably less expensive—plus it goes up in a fraction of the time it takes to install an in-ground pool. But one thing the two have in common is the need to keep the water...
Keeping Your Garage Door Opener in Working Order
By Fran J. Donegan Most people don’t associate the term “routine maintenance” with garage doors. But in addition to being battered by the elements, garage doors are opened and closed hundreds of times a year, causing wear and tear on a number of parts, including the garage door opener....
Air Filters Demystified
By Jeremy Cook Home air filters are something that you rarely think about. They produce no immediately visible effect, and simply exist to allow air to pass through them. On the other hand, for both human and machine health, they are extremely important both at home and in the...
What to Know Before Buying Home Fencing
By Joseph Truini Homeowners have many different reasons for installing fences. Some want to increase security or gain a little privacy. Others need a fence to corral pets, enclose a swimming pool, define the property line or enhance the curb appeal of their home. Fences are also used...
A Guide to LED Bulbs and Lighting
By Jennifer Tuohy You’ve been convinced by the energy pitch, and enough time has passed since their inception that LED bulbs are now only a few dollars more than your old bulbs (and will last up to 25 times longer). Now what? How do you buy the right LED...
What’s the Difference: Fiberglass vs. Mineral Wool Insulation
By Joseph Truini For nearly 80 years, fiberglass insulation has been the most popular type of home insulation, and it’s easy to see why: Fiberglass is affordable, easy to install, readily available in a wide variety of sizes and, most importantly, an excellent insulator. Fiberglass insulation is composed of...
Cabinet Refacing: What Customers Should Expect from a Good Job
Learning to reface your cabinets to give your home a fresh new look by Steve Willson Cabinet refacing is a great way to create a new look without spending a small fortune and disrupting your home for many weeks. While this job is usually done in kitchens, the basic techniques...
The House Designers Donate House Plan to St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway
Craftsman House Plan 4503 donated to the 2017 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway The House Designers’ recently donated House Plan 4503 to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital 2017 Dream Home Giveaway, which will be built in Chattanooga, TN by GT Issa Construction. The home will be located in the...
House Plans With Gorgeous Great Rooms
Get inspired by house plans with gorgeous great rooms! Almost all new house plans are being designed with an open floor plan, which combines the cooking, dining and living areas to create an efficient gathering place. At the heart of many of these designs is the great room. It...