Posts

I found the perfect Adirondack chair online. It’s sturdy, comfortable, and folds-up for off-season storage. Most importantly, I got it for a steal because it comes unfinished. To make sure it’s ready for its new life outdoors, I’m teaming up with our friends at Olympic to apply a durable finish. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time I’ve often applied stain and polyurethane to my projects, but Olympic® offers a great one-step solution that let’s me skip the steps of applying and wiping off stain, and waiting for it to dry so I can apply a coat of poly....

Everyone wants their privacy when it comes to bathrooms—including your cat. And because litter boxes can be unsightly, messy, and create unwanted odors, most cat owners prefer to tuck them out of sight. If you love your feline friend but not his necessary litter pan, here are a few clever DIY litter box creations to hide it from public view. Hidden Litter Box Ideas 1. Upcycled Cabinet or Dresser Take an old base cabinet and refinish it to hide that litter box....

Call it wallboard, plasterboard, Sheetrock, or just plain “rock,” like some pros do, drywall revolutionized the way walls and ceilings are covered. Before the 1950s, when these paper-wrapped gypsum panels came into widespread use, it took days for lathers and plasterers to create a firm, flat foundation for paint or wallpaper. With drywall, it takes a fraction of the time. Two pros can typically cover a 12-by-16-foot room in about an hour....

Richard and Ross emphasize that the thermostat temperature is just one measurement in the category of comfort. In their field, they work to ensure that the environment is comfortable based on the following data points. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Temperature: Is the space warm or cool enough? Humidity: Is there too much (or not enough) moisture in the air? Airspeed: Is the general air flow of the house causing the occupants to feel colder than they should?...

The feeling of using a brand-new tool is practically unbeatable, especially if you frequently work on home improvement projects. To replace any old and worn-out tools or finally pick up your dream power tool, check out the This Old House Review Team’s picks for the top tools to shop for Prime Day. DEWALT Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit This oscillating multi-tool kit is a versatile and cordless power tool. It includes a universal accessory adapter to easily attach different blades, sanders, or other accessories to serve various project needs....

Previous episode: S21 E7 | Next episode: S21 E9 In this episode: Host Kevin O’Connor and general contractor Tom Silva shirk the typical house call and head to local Brookside Elementary school to meet some students. After speaking with the school principal, they find out the school needs a Free Little Library—a small book lending station accessible at all times of the day throughout the year. Tom and Kevin meet with a classroom full of students and talk about the designs the students came up with for the Free Little Library....

Even if you stick to the recommended schedule of annual chimney inspections, issues that require a pro’s attention can crop up at any time. Here are some potential problems to look for. Signs Your Chimney Needs Repairs Buckling brick or stone Noticed any cracking or settling of masonry—inside the firebox or anywhere on the surround or hearth? Call in a professional mason before lighting another fire. Related All About Chimney Flues “Even a small gap can give sparks, cinders, and high heat a direct route to surrounding combustibles,” says chimney safety expert Russ Dimmitt....

Choosing the Gear CHOOSING THE SERVICE Standard pricing for these streaming services is $9.99/month unless otherwise noted, with student, family (up to six people), and annual discounts usually available. Services work across most devices, including Apple and Android, for listening at home, in the car, or on the go with your smartphone. Apple Music First-rate library, including exclusive content. No free tier, but Apple offers three-month free trials. Works especially well with Siri voice control and Apple CarPlay....

Rapid or “hot” composting is a great option for impatient gardeners who don’t want to wait the 6 to 12 months it takes for most compost piles to mature. Done right, hot compost can be ready in as little as 14 days. It does take a little extra work, requiring you to shred the materials and manage the pile more actively. But you can’t beat the timeline. Here’s how to do it:...

There are plenty of practical uses for a fence: to gain privacy, safely corral kids and pets, block wind and noise, and prevent unsupervised dips in a swimming pool. But the right wood fence styles also make a strong aesthetic statement, improving a home’s curb appeal. Components Of A Fence All fences use the same basic components: Vertical posts set into the ground: The post supports all components; for stability, bury at least one-third of it in the ground....

Shiplap siding was originally used to waterproof boats, and later commonly applied to barn exteriors; today, the enduring design continues to exude a relaxing seaside or farmhouse air, bringing a sense of warmth to any room. A popular and versatile staple of American homes, the shiplap style features charming wooden planks and distinctive grooves that can evoke a range of aesthetics, from shabby chic to cleanly modern, depending on the texture and fit....

JanSport Big Student Backpack Every new school year starts with a great backpack. This durable bag is made from 100 percent polyester and has an ergonomic design that fits comfortably on your child’s back. It features plenty of storage for laptops, notebooks, and other items with its large front compartments and front-pocket utility organizer. This backpack also comes in numerous color choices to best match your kid’s personal style. Premier Tech Hut Multi-Device Charging Station If your child has a laptop or tablet device from their school that needs regular charging, this product could come in handy....

#TOHSummerDIY This summer, we want to see what you’re working on at home! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and post a photo of your latest DIY project with the hashtag #TOHSummerDIY. You may be chosen to be featured on our website and social media channels, and win some TOH swag. NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Entries must be posted between 12:00:01 AM 8/19/20 and 11:59:59 PM ET 8/26/20....

Impactful Blue Walls and Ceiling “In this room, we looked at that blue and went all in—that’s how to create impact,” says interior designer Denise Enright. Wrapping the walls with cabinetry not only offers more storage and display, it adds to the enveloping feeling of the space. Using semigloss on the cabinets highlights them as an architectural element; the ceiling’s eggshell finish helps it recede. A window seat provides an extra perch in a room that’s perfect for reading or quiet conversation....

Whether in the form of a chair, recliner, or a sectional sofa, leather furniture is a durable yet luxurious addition to any home. It isn’t, however, maintenance-free. Thanks to body oils, dirt, dust, and environmental factors, leather is susceptible to irreversible stains and damage if it’s not taken care of properly. It’s imperative to clean your leather pieces regularly to mitigate any long-term damage to your investment. Follow this guide on how to clean leather couches and more so that you can ensure they’ll last a lifetime....

Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Before considering solar panels, a contractor can analyze if a rooftop is a good fit. The ideal roof is pitched 30-40 degrees, faces south, and is free of shading obstructions like trees. If all of these aren’t met, solar may still be an option, but production may be limited. Lag and flash roof stanchions into the roof structure. Attach the aluminum racking to the stanchions....

Summer may be well underway, but there’s plenty of outdoor grilling season left. Make the most of it with this wood and metal cart, created by blogger Jen Woodhouse, which you can build in a weekend using stock lumber, basic cuts, and pocket-hole joinery. A drill press makes adding the metal legs easier, but a drill/driver fitted with a 3⁄16-inch bit can do the job as well. Steps for Building a Rolling Cart for Your Grill Here’s an overview of how the cart comes together....

Previous episode: S18 E19 | Next episode: S18 E21 In this episode: Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace all the plumbing components in his pedestal sink; Heath Eastman discusses some new technology for bathroom vent fans; the team shares more home inspection nightmares; Tom Silva explains how to clean dirty tile grout using only household supplies. How to Replace Pedestal Sink Parts Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace all the plumbing components in his pedestal sink....

The Pyrex glasses measure 4.25" H x 2.88" diameter; 7 fl. oz. capacity and are top-rack dishwasher safe. One night over a bottle of wine, Dillon Burroughs and his father wondered, “why isn’t there a glass that can open up wine when poured directly into the glass? Decanting a bottle is such a racket…” That night, the Fountain Aerating Wine Glass was born. Pour your favorite vintage into the central cell of these stemless goblets, and watch as it cascades into the glass, instantly releasing the wine’s full potential of flavors and aromas....

The average sales price for a home in Portland, Oregon, in January 2021 was $514,700, according to statistics by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) in The Oregonian. That’s an 11.2% increase over 2020. With increasing prices and lower inventory, the Portland housing market is best for sellers. This means home buyers have to be more aggressive in their search for their dream home, and sellers have an opportunity to make a profit on the higher value of their house....