Category: Home Improvement
Oil Versus Latex?
Painters and wanna-be painters all seem to have their preference, including myself. For years it has been a forgone conclusion that oil-based paints were superior to latex and in cases I think oil still makes the best choice. It’s the more durable of the two, which is why I like to use it on wood [...]
Should I Replace My Windows?
Replacing your windows may not always be necessary or practical. Storm or magnetic windows, weather-stripping, and caulking can improve their energy efficiency. If your wooden windows are rotting, or maybe the mechanism is worn out or outdated, then you should consider replacing them. Nationwide we spend over 10 billion a year on replacement windows creating [...]
Water Saving Toilets
Gone are the days of the 3 to 7 GPF as the 1.6 GPF has become the new mandated standard. The old dependable toilets that used water like a broken dam are a thing of the past. In 1992 Congress passed the Energy Policy and Conservation Act calling for a new standard that we’ll live [...]
Attic Ridge Vents
Attic ventilation is extremely important especially during the hot summer months when your attic temperature rises dramatically. The moving the air minimizes the temperature increase, thereby lowering air conditioning requirements, adding life to composition shingles, helping to prevent mold and mildew in the winter and providing lower electric bills.
Install Weather Stripping
In our grandparent’s day energy was so inexpensive that the cost of weather stripping doors and windows wasn’t worth it. The skyrocketing cost of energy today has created a greater environmental awareness. Because of the entrepreneurial ship of the American businessman, there are many more products to choose from today at a much lower price; [...]
Remodeling Green
In the days of inexpensive energy, especially in the warmer climates, it wasn’t cost effective to spend extra money on green building products. As energy costs go up, it now has become cost effective to replace cheap windows and doors and add insulation. Ten or so years ago when I converted my garage into a [...]
Converting a garage into living space
A normal garage is approximately 20’ by 22’(minimum). This is an adequate size for two cars, but is a poor use of space if you intend to leave it this size. A more practical use of this space and a more cozy look would be to erect a wall adjusting the room size to 18’ [...]
How Much Insulation Do I Need In My Attic?
If you have attic insulation in your home, it will be made from fiberglass, cellulose or sediment material. It will be either bats, loose blown in, or rigid board. Insulation should never be packed as it will loose its effectiveness. When evaluating insulation, “R” value is how it is rated, which is its resistance to [...]
An Old House With a New Kitchen
The kitchen is the room that you work in, the rest of the house is for R&R (rest and recuperation). Since the kitchen is the work room it should not be outdated and dysfunctional. So let us examine how you can make your kitchen an expression of yourself and a joy to work in. Out [...]
Which is best, Silestone or Granite?
Many cooks want to know whether Silestone, a quartz product, is as dependable as granite in the kitchen area. Will Silestone hold up to vigorous use in the same manner as granite? Let us analyze the performance of Silestone vs granite with regard to food preparation and baking. One of the best features of granite [...]
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