Preventing Ice Dams

January 25, 2012

Your kids may think that the huge wall of icicles hanging from your roof is awesome, but to you it should serve as a warning sign of an ice dam, which can not only cause damage to your roof, but to the inside of your home as well.  The good news is, there are steps [...]

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Find More Space Under Your Stairs – Part 2

January 24, 2012

The space under your stairs is often home to a simple storage closet, but we’d like to introduce some creative ideas for turning this frequently underutilized area into an additional mini-room. Think Beyond Storage Computer Workstation:  If your staircase isn’t open, just remove the side wall from under the staircase to create a large alcove [...]

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Find More Space Under Your Stairs – Part I

January 24, 2012

Unless you’re living a very sparse, minimalist lifestyle, sooner or later you’ll probably find yourself searching for more storage within your home.  While a good cleanout and trip to the nearest donation center is often a good solution, we’d like to point out a simple place to find extra storage – the space under your [...]

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Choosing a New Hot Water Heater

January 23, 2012

The best time to choose a new hot water heater is before you actually need one.  But for those of you who are faced with the imminent or immediate failure of your current water heater, we’re presenting an overview of the two most common types on the market to save you a little time and [...]

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Painting Brick Walls and Other Masonry

January 23, 2012

If you have outdated or unattractive exposed brick inside your home, or the brick color just doesn’t complement your décor, consider painting it.  While painting over a brick wall takes a bit more patience and time than painting over a smooth wall, the results can be dramatic.  Interior Brick Walls and Fireplaces Exposed brick walls [...]

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Building an Outdoor Shed

January 20, 2012

If you’re running out of space in your garage to store garden tools, or need a good spot to park your lawn equipment or snow blower, consider building an outdoor shed in your backyard.  From small, lean-to sizes to large, 2-story mini barns, you can find a wide variety of shed kits in just about [...]

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Add Heat and Character With a Wood Stove

January 19, 2012

During the chill of a winter snowstorm, it would be comforting to know that you have an alternative heat source in case the electricity goes out and you’re snowed in for a few days.  Installing a wood stove might just be the answer. Types of Wood Stoves Today’s wood stoves today are not only efficient [...]

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Long Driveway? Consider a Snowplow Attachment

January 18, 2012

Houses that are built far from the road may offer more privacy and seclusion, but in the winter time, the longer driveways are a real challenge to keep clear of snow.  Although a snowblower will do the job, it often takes hours, especially if a heavy snow has fallen.  Hiring a snow plowing contractor is [...]

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Inlaid Wood Flooring

January 15, 2012

If you love the look of hardwood floors, but want to take it up a notch, consider integrating an inlaid wood pattern into your flooring design.  Wood inlays are decorative accents that are composed of contrasting colors of wood.  Assembled like a puzzle, they are placed within a trimmed out space in the main hardwood [...]

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Using Arches to Create Architectural Interest

January 13, 2012

For thousands of years, arches have been used by builders for both their structural strength and architectural appeal.  The ancient Romans were the first to make widespread use of the arch, and many of their aqueducts, churches and public buildings still stand today.  Other cultures throughout the world also incorporated the arch in various ways, [...]

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