Explore 1,000+ articles designed to guide you through every stage of your home improvement project.
Roofing
Raising the Roof: A Comprehensive Guide to Costs, Process, and Benefits
Raising the roof on your home can provide additional space, improve architectural appeal, and increase property value. This comprehensive guide covers the reasons to raise a roof, the process involved, the time it takes, and the associated costs. Why Raise a Roof? Raising the roof can be a significant investment, but the benefits often outweigh…
Other Home Projects
How to Increase the Energy Efficiency of a Fireplace
How to Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Fireplace Fireplaces generate a lot of heat — when you’re standing right in front of them. Unfortunately, when the fire is out, they can suck warm air from the room and send it up the chimney, which wastes energy and leaves the room feeling cold. But with…
Roofing
Estimating Your Dumpster Size and Cost for a Roofing Project
Planning to reroof your home by yourself? Get ready — you’re going to generate plenty of waste. Roof tear off materials often tally in the tons for weight, meaning you need a generous dumpster to take care of your excess. But just what size dumpster is right? How do you know? Here’s how to make…
Solar
Common Causes of Damage to Solar Panels and How to Avoid Them
Solar panel technology is ever-changing and improving — but it doesn’t make the panels impenetrable. Since the panels are made from outward-facing glass, they are vulnerable to damage from extreme weather and age. Water and hail damage to solar panels can feel like tricky problems to solve. Solar panels are built to last up to…
HVAC
Schematic Diagrams for HVAC Systems: What You Need to Know
Heating and cooling systems are packed with moving parts and electrical components — motors, capacitors, relays, compressors, switches, sensors, and refrigerant lines. HVAC system diagrams (also called schematics) help make sense of how all those pieces connect and work together. HVAC units are a lot like cars: many systems share similar components, but layouts and…
Water treatment
Ask an Expert: How to Prevent Lead in Your Drinking Water
Edward G. Wenz, Jr. is a certified lead abatement expert working in the state of Michigan on the Flint drinking water crisis. As a principal in the Contractors Training Institute and the Lead Renovator Training company, he also trains contractors and helps homeowners address lead problems in their home water pipes. He has this advice…
Windows
Everything You Need to Know About Smart Windows
By now, you’re probably aware that your windows can play a pretty big part in your home’s energy use. Windows stand as a last defense against winds and heating and cooling loss—but the glass can also keep out unwanted solar heat as well. That means you need to pay attention to the energy measurements listed…
Siding
Types of Siding That Need to be Painted
Homeownership and renovation projects often go hand in hand, and as a result, keeping track of home improvement needs can feel overwhelming. Furthermore, caring for and maintaining your home’s exterior is one of the most significant responsibilities—and arguably the most important—for homeowners. Depending on your siding type, regular maintenance tasks like cleaning, painting, and refinishing…