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Based on appearance, it’s easy to think that all toilets are pretty much the same. But a peek under their lids reveals important differences, and recent innovations, that make shopping for this fixture something of a sleuthing exercise. To learn more about the latest toilet technology, options, and upgrades, read on. It will make the hunt for your next bathroom fixture much easier. Factor in efficiency when deciding the best toilet to buy The drive to innovate started in 1994, when the 1....

Your home’s foundation is critical to its health. It bears the weight of your home and all of its contents, prevents leaks and cracking, and withstands environmental factors such as floods and earthquakes. Seattle’s wet climate makes homes in the area particularly vulnerable to foundation issues, including mold and settlement. If you notice cracks in your walls or uneven floors, it may be time for repair. The This Old House Reviews Team has researched the best foundation repair companies in Seattle, Tacoma, and the surrounding area....

There’s only one thing better than a roaring fire on a wintry night: a roaring fire that needs no tending, requires minimal cleanup, and doesn’t leave the rest of the house freezing cold. That’s what you get with today’s gas fireplaces. Long gone are the anemic blue flames and unconvincing “logs.” Modern versions burn much more realistically, with glowing red embers and tall orange-yellow flames that dance and flicker around ceramic-fiber logs molded from the real thing....

Home security systems can help you rest easy at night with 24/7 surveillance, high-tech security cameras, and more. Some of the best home security options offer even more, including smart home integration and mobile alerts. There are a wide range of home security systems available in Greenville, but they differ in terms of their available packages and equipment, the amount they cost, and more. To help you select the home security provider that’s right for your home, the This Old House Reviews Team ranked the best home security companies based on key factors like cost and reputation....

If you know someone—whether an elderly neighbor, a disabled friend, or even yourself—in tough financial circumstances who needs critical repairs or modifications to a home, it’s tempting to dream of a dramatic reality-show rescue, with a shiny truck full of contractors and TV cameras and lights pulling up to the door to work a miraculous makeover in 30 minutes. But, like the lottery, the numbers are stacked against that happening....

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to add stairway headroom in a few simple steps. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Adding Stairway Headroom Carefully pry old stair treads from staircase. Use a reciprocating saw to cut out the old stair stringers. Cut new notched stringers from 2x12s using a circular saw; finish cuts with handsaw. Attach metal hanger plates to top of each stringer....

There are few things more frustrating than sitting down for a movie or a new series and being distracted by fingerprints and smudges on a flat screen TV. But you can’t just pull out a bottle of window cleaner and go to town—that could cause more harm than good. The following steps detail the optimal way to clean a flat screen TV so you get a streak-free finish without the risk of any damage....

In recent years, flipping a house has been rekindled as a key for some to fund the American dream of homeownership and independent wealth. The shockwaves of the Great Recession, largely fueled by unwise lending practices in the mortgage market and bad decisions by Americans hungry to have a home of their own, have largely worn off. House-flipping can be a great investment for those who have the skills, the money and the wherewithal to complete a labor-intensive renovation, and in areas of the country where real estate is either hot or affordable, it can be tempting to snap up distressed properties with the intention to fix and quickly resell....

Previous episode: S20 E5 | Next episode: S20 E7 In this episode: Mason Mark McCullough takes us to a brickyard to explain how he chooses a brick and manufacturers make this durable building material. Mark explains that when he’s looking for a brick to work with, his choices at any particular brickyard could number as many as 20 different types and styles. Mark explains that the main ingredient in any brick is clay and how clay color affects the brick....

When the leaves start piling up this fall, don’t sweat it. Our high-powered yard-clearing arsenal stands at the ready to turn that age-old chore into, well, less of one. To make things easier this fall, we reviewed four categories of leaf blowers—gas-powered blower-vacuums, electric blower-vacs, cordless blowers, and backpack blowers—to find the ones that stand out. The right tool for your yard depends on how much work the leaves leave for you....

Give kids and guests a buffet of playtime options and your backyard could be the season’s hottest destination. All it takes is games suited to all ages and abilities, a place where family and friends can gather to face off—whether it be for an innocent competition or a heated grudge match. In other words: If you build it, they will come. DIY Backyard Games We’re not talking about staid badminton or weak-willed Wiffle ball....

Even if your deck is made of pressure-treated lumber, redwood, cedar, or some other durable species, it’s at risk the moment the last nail is driven home. There are several culprits. Moisture swells the wood while the burning rays from the sun dry and shrink it, causing cracks and checks while also encouraging warping. Ultraviolet rays also discolor wood and accelerate wear by breaking down wood fibers. Add in the scratches that occur when you drag chairs across the surface, splattered grease from barbecues, mold growth in shady spots, and ground-in dirt from foot traffic, and most decks start to look old within a few years....

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission. Your mattress is a safe space where you rest comfortably night after night. The last thing that should be on your mind as you drift off is wondering if you’re being exposed to any dangerous chemicals and substances in your mattress. Not all mattresses are created equally, and some mattress brands are creating beds that are not only good for the planet, but great for sleepers as well....

Welcome to the New Yankee Workshop! It was a sea of plaid as Insiders and guests descended on the New Yankee Workshop this past weekend to get to tour the venerable space and meet the men behind it, master carpenter Norm Abram and the show’s creator and director, Russ Morash. From hearing behind-the-scenes stories to spotting the original, real-life versions of favorite projects, it was the ultimate New Yankee Workshop fan experience....

As a This Old House Insider, you get the ultimate fan experience and exclusive access to content, events, sweepstakes—and the cast. Need more Norm in plaid? You got it. Want to ask Richard a question about your plumbing situation? No problem. Need to reference a project Tommy finished in a past episode from a decade ago? It’s possible. Whether you’re already a member or thinking about joining, here are ten ways you can get more out of being a This Old House Insider....

What Do Rabbits Like to Eat? Rabbits are herbivores and tend to eat all parts of a plant—from the roots and the stems to soft, tender leaves and flowers—preferring new growth over old. And while Looney Tunes showed Bugs Bunny perpetually chomping on a carrot, in reality, rabbits don’t typically spend time digging up root vegetables (and if they do eat a root vegetable, it’s most likely because another animal dug up the vegetable for them)....

What Is a Dormer Window? A dormer window is a type of roof window that offers natural light and additional space to a vaulted ceiling. Here we show you different dormer window styles that can add the perfect accent to your home. Dormer Window Ideas Double Hung Peeking out from a slate roof, this dormer features two double-hung windows, a style named for the fact that the top and bottom sections each move up and down....

Inspired by a French antique, this colorful bench has a modern simplicity—and easily seats two. Solid stain gives the stock pine lumber an added layer of protection from the elements. Its soft green blends in with verdant surroundings, but you could also go bolder with red or yellow to add contrast. Steps for Building a Garden Bench: Follow these directions for building your DIY garden bench. Step 1: Cut the Boards to Length...

Carpenter Nathan Gilbert makes a house call to help a homeowner replace her overhead garage door. After explaining some of the safety concerns to be aware of, Nathan and the homeowner get to work removing the existing garage door one section at a time. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time How To Replace a Garage Door Note: Some doors may be under considerable spring-loaded tension. It’s very important to be extremely careful when working with these doors....

It’s What’s Inside That Counts If plumbing is a mystery to you, you’re not alone. “Many people have no idea how water gets to their building, how wastewater leaves, or how their house is heated or cooled,” says This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey. “So my role in the past forty years has been to demystify that technical world. And it is almost impossible without a cutaway. I am the great bisector....