Posts

Top 5 LED Grow Lights Best For Medium Coverage: Spider Farmer SF-2000 LED Grow Light Best Accessories: MARS HYDRO LED Grow Light Best For Large Coverage: Spider Farmer SF-4000 LED Grow Light Best Tubular Lights: Barrina Plant Grow Lights Best For Small Coverage: VIPARSPECTRA LED Grow Light Best For Medium Coverage: Spider Farmer SF-2000 LED Grow Light Pros and Cons ✔ Offers full-spectrum lighting including red, blue, and white Comparison Spider Farmer SF-2000 LED Grow Light...

The light of fireflies, or lightning bugs, in the night sky signal summer in many regions. But more and more groups are raising concerns about the dwindling numbers of these treasured insects. Don Salvatore, coordinator of the Firefly Watch, a Citizen Science Project at the Museum of Science, in Boston, is researching the disappearance of firefly populations, starting with those in residential yards. Ben Pfeiffer, firefly conservationist and founder of Firefly....

In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook transforms an old, ugly city slab into an urban oasis. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for upgrading a concrete patio Clear the patio of all furniture, accessories and plantings. Pull out all weeds and grass, then sweep the patio clean. Snap a straight chalk line across the patio. Lay the first wooden deck tile right on the chalk line and against the perimeter wall....

It isn’t every day that you get the chance to wander through the halls of a 6,600 square foot Greek Revival farmhouse accompanied by cast members of your favorite TV show. As luck would have it, on Saturday, September 14, a small group of Insiders and their guests strolled down Main Street in New Canaan, CT to embark on a VIP Preview of the 2019 Idea House before the house opened to the public....

Previous episode: S43 E6 | Next episode: S43 E8 In this episode: The 1880s Cape is ready for a modern addition in the back. Kevin O’Connor finds mason Mark McCullough at the intersection of the old and new house under the corner chimney. Mark constructs a block wall at the base of the newly poured footing to accept the addition framing and cuts a vertical slot in the chimney for copper flashing to prevent water from penetrating....

Need an idea for your Valentine this year? Check out some of our favorite kitchen countertop appliances that make the perfect gift for someone you love. Crock-Pot Cook & Carry Portable Slow Cooker Nothing says “I love you” quite like a slow-cooker beef stew. This 6-quart model is perfect for potlucks, tailgating, or romantic picnics in front of a cozy fireplace. KitchenAid Electric Kettle Flipwich Non-Stick Sandwich Maker Prepare the perfect brunch with help from this hot-sandwich maker....

There’s more to prepping for the holidays than just decorating for that specific occasion. If you are planning to host a party and/or have family and friends stay with you, it is a good idea to make sure the house is in working order and good to go so you can rest easy and enjoy the holidays too. 6 Tips for Prepping Your House for the Holidays Follow this handy checklist to prepare your house for guests this holiday season....

#10 Lexington Ranch SEASON 14 • 1992 Rounding out your top 10 is this 1958 ranch reinvention, which earned kudos for both the “wow” factor and its friendly owners. “I loved the Lexington Ranch. I grew up in a ranch-style home, so I could relate to it. I also think it’s one of the show’s most amazing transformations, from such a humble, typical American home into something truly spectacular.” —NATHAN STRUM, VALENCIA, CA...

Our well water has iron in it, which affects its taste and causes staining. A local water-treatment company says that a standard water softener can remove the iron, but I don’t want to drink softened water or have its salty backwash pumped into my yard. Can you suggest another way to get rid of the iron? —Patricia McMartin, Winchester, VA A: Several options are available for removing iron, but the treatment varies depending on the kind of iron you have, along with other factors....

A freestanding DIY Bathroom Rack is a great way to keep essentials handy, while the hamper is a perfect for keeping laundry hidden away. Because this organizer is made of wood and will be placed in room that sees a lot of humidity, I’m teaming up with our friends at Varathane to give it a durable finish. They make a fast-drying stain saves me time, and a triple-thick polyurethane that helps me protect my finish with just one coat....

Carpenter Nathan Gilbert takes us on a house call to help a homeowner with an antique lockset. After the homeowner explains her troubles, Nathan removes a century-old mortise lockset from the door before disassembling it to investigate. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Mortise Lockset Parts Multiple parts make up full mortise locksets. Nothing was standard during manufacturing 100 years ago, so each lock may be slightly different. Here are some general universal parts:...

In this video, general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how to hang a pegboard in a garage or workshop and organize tools with it. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time What is Pegboard? Using a 1/4 inch masonite board with either 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch holes; these boards can be found at most home centers. Tom shows it can be as easy as mounting it up on an open stud bay....

The front steps appear to be original to the 1940s house and they haven’t aged well. This Old House Mason Mark McCullough demolishes the original and installs a base for the new steps. Then, he takes a tour of the facility where the precast concrete steps are made. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Installing Precast Concrete Stairs: Back at the homeowner’s, the steps are delivered and set into place....

This article appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Our measure of a good smart-home gadget is usually whether it’s practical and useful. Do we actually save on our heating bill if the Nest thermostat creates its own schedule, or does it drive us crazy by turning the heat down too low at night? Can Smart Devices Be Trusted? Their whole smart-home reason for being is to watch us closely, like a helpful, modern-day butler, in order to make themselves more useful....

Most folks are thankful that the heyday of the popcorn ceiling is behind them. But despite that once-popular-now-taboo trend’s absence, some rooms can still benefit from a bit of texture from swirls, grooves, or anything other than flat ceilings and popcorn. Whether it’s for a bit of style or to hide the imperfections that lie below (or above) the finish, texturing a ceiling may be the answer. Luckily, learning how to texture a ceiling isn’t difficult....

There’s a reason most tool belts have narrow sleeves specifically designed to holster nail sets. What is a Nail Set? Nail sets are short, tapered bars of steel that serve as a companions to a hammer. They are used for the final few blows onto the exposed heads of finish nails, sinking them beneath the surface without collateral damage to the surrounding wood. Sometimes nail sets are also referred to as nail punch tool....

Previous episode: S18 E21 | Next episode: S18 E23 In this episode: Tom Silva explains the architecture, installation, and maintenance of white cedar shingles; Richard Trethewey explains some of the common failure points in hose spigots and how to repair them; Jenn Nawada travels to Raleigh, North Carolina to help a couple build and plant a self-watering vegetable garden. All About White Cedar Shingles General contractor Tom Silva explains the architecture, installation, and maintenance of white cedar shingles....

Previous episode: S41 E20 | Next episode: S41 E22 In this episode: The custom windows ordered for the breakfast nook have a unique rounded design on top. Tom and Charlie Silva have the job of installing them, a job that takes special skills. Roofing manufacturers are always looking for ways to make shingling a house better. Kevin O’Connor finds Charlie trying a shingle that makes installation a little easier. Cape Ann was the birthplace of the fishing industry in America....

This article appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. From pest control to deck maintenance, follow these simple tips to keep your home and its yard up to par this summer. Summer Maintenance Checklist for Your Home Lubricate and clean metal storms Whenever you clean aluminum storm windows, give their metal frames extra attention—especially if they’re old and oxidized—to ensure they slide freely....

Worrying about your home while you’re away on a trip or out to eat can be exhausting. You may get some peace of mind by displaying a generic security or “beware of dog” sign, but that’s probably not enough. A home security system might be the answer, providing helpful features like professional and self-monitoring, doorbell video cameras, outdoor night vision cameras, alarms, and more. It’s important to know that not all home security services are the same....