Explore 1,000+ articles designed to guide you through every stage of your home improvement project.
Solar
There are dozens of reasons why installing residential solar panels is a great idea. Perhaps the most popular is it will save you money on your electricity bill. In fact, the allure of solar panels for most homeowners is that over their lifespan, they will pay for themselves. To do that, most homeowners will need…
Windows
Best Tools and Products for Window Security
Many of us think about smart home products simply as a cool way to turn on the stereo, or how we can lower the AC without running over to the thermostat. But you can also use home automation devices to secure your valuables, prevent break-ins, and keep your family safer. Door and window security sensors,…
Solar
Understanding the Quality of Different Solar Panels
Every day it seems like solar companies are releasing the most efficient solar panels to date. With so many companies making that claim, it’s difficult to wade through the noise. One useful resource to help you choose is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), who created standards for manufacturing solar panels under the ISO 9000…
Solar
Installing solar panels is a big investment, even with tax incentives to ease the financial strain. Because of the investment— and their constant exposure to the elements— solar panels need to be able to withstand extreme temperatures, from the blistering hot summers of Arizona, to the bitter cold winters of upstate New York. But how…
HVAC
What is a Fixed Point Contract?
When the time comes to sign a contract for your home improvement project, you will be presented with one of two types of contracts: a time and materials contract, or a fixed point—or fixed price—contract. A fixed price contract includes a detailed explanation of the costs for: Your fixed point contract should also go into…
Windows
Black Window Frames and Trim: All You Need to Know
Brass hardware, colorful stoves, and interiors draped in wallpaper — design trends for homes are leaning away from the expected and tapping into the bold. The same goes for our windows. Homeowners and interior designers are bringing back the look of black window frames. Why Are Black Window Frames So Popular? Like most design trends,…
Solar
Best Roof Pitch for Solar Panels vs Solar Panel Tilt
There is now enough solar panel capacity to power 18 million American homes, according to the Department of Energy. As solar panel prices have gone down, demand has gone up. There’s a lot to research before installing solar panels — including the solar incentives and rebates out there. So how do you know if solar…
Other Home Projects
How Healthy Is the Air Inside My Home?
We hear about the air quality outside all the time. But what about the pollution inside your home? While you may not exactly have a smokestack in your living room, dust, pet hair, tracked-in pollen and other irritants can affect the purity of the air indoors. And surface treatments, like paints, sealants, flame-retardants, and other…