Latest Stories

Now is the time to install solar panels at your home. Why? Prices are down because of government incentives; there are leasing arrangements and power purchase agreements that reduce or eliminate upfront costs; the technology is improving, some home centers have booths/kiosks touting solar electric installations; and more …

Can you imagine a home with just a gate, paved driveway, and paths without flowers, shrubs, and greenery? Or one with untrimmed hedges, grass, and trees? You can create a more attractive and appealing space by blending hard and soft landscape features. Here are 7 finishing touches for home landscaping.

It’s important to consider wall sheathing materials and methods when planning a new home build. But it's also something that many homeowners don’t account for – mostly because they don't know about the available options. Here are some of those options and how they affect your house as a whole.

Every family is unique. This is especially true when it comes to what a family needs out of the kitchen. All families – especially those building a new home – want to find a kitchen to match their lifestyle, and thankfully that is much easier than you might think.

Many components go into a roof to make it a cohesive unit. All are crucial, but nothing gives it “personality” like the materials used on the surface. Asphalt, metal, tile, and the like provide not only aesthetics but the durability and longevity that serve as the roof’s true value.

Perhaps that “Zen-like” state before a new school year begins is just a pipe dream. However, the way you organize home and kids can be the difference between chaos and order. So roll up those sleeves and check out these helpful ideas in getting your home back-to-school ready. Perhaps that “Zen-like” state before a new school year begins is just a pipe dream. However, the way you organize home and kids can be the difference between chaos and order. So roll up those sleeves and check out these helpful ideas in getting your home back-to-school ready.

Implementing proper wall bracing increases the structural quality of the home and makes it much safer to live in. Bracing that is installed according to building code guidelines protects against collapse during high winds or earthquakes as well as the stress on wall components from supporting the heavy roof.

With help from architects and manufacturers, concrete – the once plain and boring construction material – has emerged as a hot trend in home interiors. As designers and artisans explore ways to make it decorative, concrete should stay in the spotlight for a while. Here are some innovations that make concrete appealing.

Some materials have obvious natural insulating and temperature-regulating properties and excel at battling the weather, like brick or stone, but they are also very costly. A form of modern stucco – called Exterior Insulating and Finishing System (EIFS) – withstands the elements, is energy efficient, and not surprisingly, is growing in popularity.

If exterior painting is on your summer to-do list, there’s plenty of incentive to do the job right: By following proper procedures, you’ll help ensure that your paint job will not only look more attractive but also last much longer, so you won’t have to re-paint anytime soon.