Articles about Home Improvement and Home Maintenance

The Fence Installation Guide for New Homeowners

Fence installation may seem like a typical and straightforward project for some homeowners until they factor in one important variable in the equation—their next-door neighbors. Technically, you don’t need your neighbor’s permission to build a fence between your properties. However, common courtesy dictates that you inform your neighbor about your plans of building a fence in advance. Keep in mind that you are building a structure on a shared boundary line with your neighbor, so you have to accord them some semblance of participation in the project. Read our fence installation guide to learn all the details.

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Is It Time to Replace Your Windows?

Thinking it’s time to replace your windows? There was a time when the more glass windows your house had, the wealthier you were presumed to be. In fact, for a time in colonial America, there was a tax on windows to support the Revolutionary War effort. The poorest folks, the ones with only wooden shutters instead of glass, were spared. 

Photo of a new home with lots of windows

Now, of course, shutters are typically just for decoration. Not only can everyone have windows, but the more the merrier. Their style and placement influences every aspect of a home’s interior; from how bright or dark a room is to where the furniture will fit. Not to mention the significance of the views looking outside.

If you’re buying an older house or looking for a great home improvement project, the most important consideration is to get replacement windows that provide great climate control while conserving energy. Beyond that, there are a wide number of design options to explore. If you do a search for window companies near me, you’ll find a pro who can guide you to the right choice for you and your home.

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3 DIY Garage Flooring Options

Garages can be more than simple storage spaces. Doing a DIY garage flooring project can add value and some style to your home. Because working on the garage floor is mostly labor, doing it yourself can really save you some money! There are a number of possible choices, but check out these three great options to see what you think.

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Setting Up a Comfortable Office in Your Home

If you work from home or you have your own business, the one thing you need to do is ensure you have a comfortable and suitable area from which to work. These days, thanks to modern technology, more and more people are working from their own homes. Maybe you’re starting your own business? Maybe you are able to work remotely for others? In either case, you want the office in your home to be comfortable.

Photo of a home office. By Tre Pryor
Think about all the things you’ll need to be productive in your comfortable home office.
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Avoid Expensive Repairs With These 5 Gutter Cleaning Tips

As of 2019, gutter replacement cost ranges from $600 to $1,800 for a 200-foot gutter if you are taking on the project yourself. The price can skyrocket to more than $2,000 if you call in the pros to do the job for you. Indeed, gutter replacement or a major repair can put a significant dent in your budget. Especially if your home’s gutter system gave out unexpectedly. Instead, take advantage of these gutter cleaning tips.

Photo of a corner of a roof with old copper gutters
Gutters come in a couple of primary varieties. These copper gutters are more costly but also more beautiful.
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Tips on Creating a Perfect Outdoor Entertainment Space

If you are like most people, you enjoy spending time outdoors. When it comes to your home, you want to create an outdoor entertainment space where you can spend time with family and friends. There are many ways you can update your home to create the ultimate space for entertaining. From creating a deck to simple landscaping, easily start a project to build a comfortable and inviting space for yourself as well as your guests. 

Photo of a beautiful outdoor space
When designing your outdoor entertainment space, make sure to oversize each area to accommodate all the additional friends who’ll want to come to your home!
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5 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Making your home more energy efficient is the perfect way to lower your energy costs and save money while also living in a way that will help the environment. Maybe you want to reduce your environmental footprint. If so, check out these five ways that you can make your home more energy efficient.

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Louisville Lawn Care Made Simple

Kentucky has always been in the middle — not quite south, not quite west, not quite hot or cold — and that can make it hard for residents of Louisville to understand exactly how they should care for their homes. When there is relatively mild weather year-round, when is a Louisville homeowner supposed to schedule service to their HVAC or repaint the exterior of their house? Today we’re looking at how to make Louisville lawn care a simple process that will have you truly enjoying your outdoor space.

Photo of a Louisville home with a beautiful lawn
Taking care of your Louisville lawn doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow these easy steps and pretty soon you’ll love your lawn!
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6 Mistakes to Avoid That Will Protect Your Drywall

For something that serves such an important role in our homes, drywall is surprisingly delicate. It doesn’t take much for dents, cracks, holes and other problems to appear, and unfortunately, many of the problems with drywall (or sheetrock) are due to avoidable mistakes. By avoiding some of the most common errors we make in our homes will definitely help protect your drywall.

Here are some of the most common mistakes that homeowners make. Don’t be that guy. Just use a little extra caution and some good habits, and you can keep your walls looking great and avoid having to repair or replace the drywall.

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Home Upgrades to Consider for Aging in Place

No matter your stage of life, finding ways to make the most out of your home is a common goal. Whether you found your dream home early on or have decided to live out the rest of your years in your current abode, making the appropriate home upgrades will prevent you from outgrowing the space. Consider these upgrades for each stage of life to help you grow with your home throughout the years.

Quartz countertops are about as maintenance-free as you can get. As an added bonus… they’re also beautiful!
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4 Things to Remember When Building a Music Room

Building a proper and classy music room is among the toughest challenges that musicians and drummers face. A well-designed music room can make the difference between smooth sailing and significant headaches down the road. By and large, there are various things to think about when constructing a music room. While most people are inspired to buy lots of equipment, they tend to forget very important basics including choosing the right material for the flooring and walls, which account largely for soundproofing. The following are four critical things one should remember when building a music room.

This music room has gone “all-out” with sound-dampening panels.
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Types and Uses of Water Flow Meters

A flowmeter is a device engineered to gauge the rate of flow of a liquid or gas passing through a particular point within a specific system. For example, water traversing through a pipeline. Water utilities generally utilize water meters. However, they also have been used in manufacturing and industrial capacities. They can even be part of your home’s plumbing system.

Image by ImageParty from Pixabay

Water meters are, for the most part, used in all areas of society. There are relatively four kinds of meters gauging water in its various forms. And these are hygrometers, ice meters, moisture meters, and water meters. We will walk you through what these four classes of water meters measure and where and how they are used. Read on!

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7 Reasons to Consider Adding a Pool Enclosure to Your Pool

Most homeowners dream of owning a swimming pool. Those laidback, hot summer days just make you long for the sparkling, cool waters of your own pool. Imagine walking out of your back door and into your own paradise! You do not have to pack your floats, sunscreen, towels, and goggles, then endure the scorching drive to the community pool. While you’re planning the design and layout of your pool, why not consider enhancing its look by adding a pool enclosure? This structure brings benefits beyond aesthetic appeal. You can jump into your pool whenever you want, all year round!

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The Benefits Of Cleaning Your Air Conditioning System

If you have an air conditioning system it is going to be very important that you keep it clean with a company like Elite Austin air conditioner replacement services. Cleaning your air conditioning system is crucial because if you don’t maintain it the air is not going to be as clean. This can lead to allergies and other health issues. You are also going to wear your system down faster and you will have to replace it sooner. Maintaining your air conditioning system is going to help it last for a lot longer and you will enjoy more years of trouble-free use out of it.

Having regular maintenance on your home’s most important features is the best way to protect your investment.
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