HOMEBUILDING/RENOS: Five Tips for Building Well For Cold Weather
Building houses for a cold climate requires things that aren’t immediately obvious. Read on for five essential building strategies for success. A lot of people miss this stuff.
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STONEWORKING: See How I Build a Round Arch With Natural Stone
Building with the natural limestone of Manitoulin Island, Canada is one of the things I’ve learned to do in my decades here on our homestead. The video below shows one of the most intricate parts of the job. Click below for…
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METALWORKING: Cold Galvanizing Is The Best-Kept Secret in Rust Prevention
If you’ve got any kind of outdoor steel around your house that needs protection from rust, there are a few things you should know about the element zinc. It offers the most effective way to prevent rusting of all kinds…
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EXTERIORS: “How Can I Make 30-Year Old Aluminum Siding Look Good Again?
Question: The aluminum siding on my house has growths on it and the paint seems to be rubbing off as a powder. Other than these problems, the siding is in good shape physically. What can I do to make things…
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INTERIORS: How to Fix Drywall Nail Pops/Screw Pops
In this video Steve shows how to patch one of the most common types of drywall damage; the screw pop.
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ALUMINUM SOFFIT & FASCIA: How-To Install It The Right Way
Got some soffit and fascia to install on your home, garage or cottage? This article covers the basics for achieving an exceptionally good job, even as a non-professional
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REVOVATIONS: “How Can I Convert a Seasonal Cottage to Full-Time Home?”
Question: How realistic is it to convert a seasonal cottage built in the 1950s into a year-round home? My husband and I live in the city and we’d like to sell our house and take the proceeds to buy a…
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RURAL LIVING: Water Well Drilling With Nice Surprise Near the End
If you’ve never had a water well drilled, you don’t know the combination of hope and fear involved. Hope because you’re looking for a supply of water where none existed before. Fear because you never know how much it will…
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METALWORKING: Learn About Forging Steel In The Home Workshop
Canada’s Handiest Man, Steve Maxwell, shows inspired homeowners Might Forge, a way to make forging metal a realistic hobby.
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PHILOSOPHY: What Marriage is Really All About
In the last few days of May 1988, I was a few weeks away from getting married. That’s Mary and I in the photo above, on June 4 of that year. As I was preparing mentally for the big day, I…
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HOME IMPROVEMENTS: “How Can I Boost Sound Resistance at Low Cost?”
Question: How can I make the ceiling above my basement workshop more sound resistant? The joists and wood frame are open and accessible since the ceiling isn’t finished. Way too much sounds comes up into the living area above right…
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HOME SYSTEMS: Smart Thermostat Delivers Better Comfort & Economy
If you’ve got any kind of hot water heating system in your home, whether it be infloor heating or radiators, let me show you a thermostat control system at my place that I really like. It’s different than most out there…
