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In the 6th century B.C., Thales of Miletus, a Greek wise man, reasoned that a magnet’s power of attraction was the result of science, not magic. After that, it was only a matter of time (okay, a few millennia) before magnets turned up in TVs, turbines, computer hard drives, and on the fronts of fridges everywhere. Their stick-to-itiveness—in the form of iron horseshoes, shiny rare-earth bars, or vinyl-coated magnetic sheets—is also helpful for a host of household projects....

Top 5 40-Inch Smart TVs After researching several models, we’ve identified our top recommendations for 40-inch smart TVs: Best Remote Control: Hisense 40-Inch Smart TV Best Resolution: TCL 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV Best Roku TV: TCL 40-Inch Smart LED Roku TV Best Fire TV: Toshiba Full HD Smart Fire TV Best For SAMSUNG Users: SAMSUNG 40-Inch Smart FHD TV Pros and Cons ✔ Has built-in surround sound and speakers for a crisp audio experience ✔ Weighs only 13 pounds ✔ Has a numerical keypad on the remote control for watching live TV Best 40 Inch Smart TV - Comparison Table Hisense 40-Inch Smart TV...

This article appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Until double-pane windows became popular in the 1970s, the only way homeowners could improve the thermal performance of drafty, single-pane units was to add exterior storm windows. For the more than 40 million homes that still have single-glazed windows, adding storms continues to be a smart way to protect the main sashes from weather, block out traffic sounds, and improve energy performance­—for less than the cost of replacement windows....

If you’re in need of a unique gift for the cat lover in your life, we’ve rounded up 11 ideas that will make any cat (and human) happy. Homes For Cats Looking for a cozy home for your feline? Look no further than these options. Double Decker This weatherproof cedar cat house offers several entry points, which makes cleaning a breeze. It also offers an escape door and multiple “balconies” for your kitty to reach new heights and perch…or purrch....

A combination boiler and hot water heater, also known as a combi boiler, is a heating system that provides both heat and hot water to a small to medium size house. It brings together the functionality of boiler and a hot water heater into one compact unit that’s much more efficient. In this video, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares how it works and how to install one to replace your existing system....

During winter months, water freezes on ponds, rivers, puddles, and in the ground. Where you live determines how deep the water will freeze in the ground—this is the frost line. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the frost line can range from 100 inches deep in northern Minnesota (or permafrost in Alaska) to none in sunny southern Florida. The majority of the country’s frost line ranges between 20 and 50 inches deep....

In this video, Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner turn a reclaimed mantel into a fireplace mantel. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Using a Reclaimed Beam as a Fireplace Mantel: Measure approximately 55-56” off the floor, this is the average mantel height. Make sure the height is at least 12” above the top of the firebox, which is code. Use joints of bricks to mark the center of the fireplace....

Kids deserve the safest and most comfortable environment as they grow. According to experts, two years old is considered a safe age to introduce children to the comforts of using a pillow. However, while two years old is the standard, this is still a sensitive age for a child’s development, and it is important to try and provide a pillow designed to be as safe and supportive for a child as possible when they sleep and as they grow....

This article appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. 1. Lightweight and water stingy 1600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer This compact, 29-pound washer uses just 1.3 gallons of water per minute to blast away grime from hard surfaces. The spray gun comes with a 25-foot hose, a 35-foot power cord, four quick-connect nozzles, and an onboard soap tank for cleaning solutions....

This shingle-style house in Manchester, Massachusetts was built in 1891. Putting the history back into this turn-of-the-century beauty, homeowners John and Molly plan to strip away the 1970s carpet, cracking balusters, and doors to nowhere and reclaim the history of this rambling Shingle-style home. Homeowners: Molly and John and their young daughter General Contractor: Silva Brothers Construction Location: Manchester, MA Scope: John and Molly bought this home a year ago, after deciding they were ready to move out of the city....

Age Range: 5 and up Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Whether you have a budding athlete in your household or you just want to get everyone to play as a family, having a soccer goal in the backyard is a win-win. The goal shown here has a basic design and is easy to build, so it can be assembled in an afternoon. And chances are good that you have the home field advantage, with the right tools already on hand and the materials easy to get at the home center....

Top 5 Christmas Lights Most Durable: JMEXSUSS LED String Lights Best For Trees: Prextex Christmas Light Set Best Length: SANJICHA Extra-Long Lights Best White Lights: 612 Vermont Clear Christmas Lights Most Eco-Friendly: Joomer Solar Christmas Lights Most Durable: JMEXSUSS LED String Lights With 200 bulbs, these lights bring a warm glow to any room. In addition to being used to light mantels, trees, and other indoor spaces, these lights are also certified for outdoor use with their oxidation- and freeze-resistant design....

Top 5 Multitools Most Customizable: LEATHERMAN Skeletool Lightweight Multitool Most Comprehensive: Gerber Gear Truss Multitool Best Hammer Tool: RoverTac Multitool Best Pen Tool: RAK Multitool Best Snowflake Tool: Desuccus 18-in-1 Snowflake Multitool Most Customizable: LEATHERMAN Skeletool Lightweight Multitool This multitool is available in multiple colors and with or without a carrying pouch, allowing you to choose a product that’s both functional and stylish. On top of this, the LEATHERMAN Skeletool Lightweight Multitool only requires one hand to open....

You don’t need a large budget to give your home a noticeable boost. Whether you’re looking for functional fixes, to enhance visual appeal, or just a small refresh—there are a number of ways to update your home cheaply and easily. 100 DIY Home Improvement Projects for Under $100 The editors of This Old House share their favorite home projects you can do yourself on a budget. Add Carved Corbels Under Your Breakfast Bar How to do it: Check salvage yards for Victorian-era ones with patina for an extra flourish in the eating area....

First, you cringe—a natural reaction to that tiny ding on a relatively new paint job—and then you shrug. Some paint imperfections, however, are more conspicuous and harder to overlook. Such issues must be addressed, the sooner the better, not only to restore the painted surface but to investigate potential underlying problems. Read on to understand the causes of common paint problems and how to repair them and avoid future issues....

A homeowners insurance policy in Austin, TX can protect you from serious expenses if your home gets damaged or destroyed. Instead of paying thousands out of pocket to repair or rebuild your home’s structure and replace your personal property, you can rely on your monthly premium to help safeguard your finances. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to choose the best home insurance company for you. There are many providers that service Austin, Texas, but they are not all equal....

Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Use a grinder with 50-grit sandpaper to take off dirt. Then go over it again with 220-grit sandpaper. Cut rough lengths for boards with a miter saw. Rip cut legs to cut off ½ inch on both sides using a table saw. Make a jig to cut the tenon for the using plywood and scrap lumber. Place the leg flush with the plywood and attach two “stops” on each side of the plywood....

Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Every paintbrush has a specific purpose that generally fall into the following categories: Brush material – natural hair (or China bristle) brushes are good for oil based paints, synthetic hair brushes are good for water based (latex) paints but also work with just about anything, and foam brushes are good for one-time use touchups. Angle – angled brushes are good for cutting around doors and windows, and flat brushes are good for large, flat surfaces....

Crafters who’ve achieved great results painting various types of wood, metal, even plastic furniture may raise their eyebrows at the notion of putting a brush to upholstery. Yet with the right technique, just about any comfy textile-covered but not-so-fashionable chair, sofa, ottoman—you name it! —can take paint well without changing the original texture. The secret is in diluting the paint enough so that it functions more like dye. This easy, inexpensive project can turn a flea market find or inherited has-been from stained, faded, or just plain ugly into a showpiece....

Previous episode: S20 E18 | Next episode: S20 E20 In this episode: Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada visits Bruce Vanicek at Rhode Island Nurseries, a 4th generation family-owned nursery, to show how shrubs are planted and grown. The nursery, started by Bruce’s grandmother in 1895, specializes in growing yews—an adaptable and durable evergreen popular for hedges and borders. Bruce takes Jenn on a farm tour, from the greenhouses where cuttings are propagated to the final check-planted stage, where the plants are harvested, balled, burlapped, and shipped to your local nursery....