Pillar Free Floor Systems
I’m looking for information on floor and roof supports in new houses. I’d like to have a home built with a completely open basement, and I’ve heard of floor systems that eliminate the need for pillars. Please fill me in…
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How can we stop frost from forming on the inside face of the garage walls?
How can we stop frost from forming on the inside face of the garage walls on our three-year-old home during winter? The drywall is getting ruined. Our builder wants to help, but doesn’t know how to begin. This sounds like…
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Can I paint my white vinyl windows brown? Is painting or aluminum cladding an option?
Most vinyl windows are white, and the reason has largely to do with the way vinyl expands and contracts with changes in temperature. Light colours reduce heat build up in the window frames, eliminating the bowing, bending and cracking that…
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What’s the best stain or treatment to prevent wear and pet damage to our deck?
We’ve just rebuilt our cedar deck and want to apply the best staining treatment to protect it. In the past everything we’ve put on other decks has either peeled off or was quickly damaged by the claws of our dog….
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How can I boost the energy efficiency of the floor-to-ceiling windows in my high-rise condo?
How can I boost the energy efficiency of the floor-to-ceiling windows in my high-rise condo? Heating costs are very high here, and I’m thinking of trying window blankets this winter. Any coverings I choose will also need to keep early…
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How do I get rid of recurring ceiling mold near an exterior wall?
How can my hubby and I get rid of recurring mold that appears in a corner of our bedroom ceiling? It’s the place where the ceiling meets an outside wall. I’ve seen this sort of thing before, and the cause…
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What are my options for fixing flaking brick on the front of my house?
What are my options for fixing flaking brick on the front of my house? The place was built in 1980, and the bricks were failing noticeably by the late 80’s. I’ve had repair work done over the years, but the…
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Is foam injection insulation a good way to boost the energy efficiency of my brick house?
Is foam injection insulation a good way to boost the energy efficiency of my brick house? It’s about 60 years old, and the outer walls are double brick with nothing but an open air space between them. A lot of…
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I live in a 50-year old bungalow and have just discovered there’s not a single bit of insulation in the place. How can I fix this?
The first step is to get some loose-fill insulation blown into your attic. This is the easiest and least expensive initial option. There are two choices: cellulose or fiberglass, with a slight quality advantage going to the fiberglass, according to…
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ASK STEVE: Frost jacking causes heaving, help!
About 5 years ago I installed two posts under a porch and now one seems to be rising out of the ground. I set the bottoms 50 inches below the surface, in bell-shaped holes, to prevent heaving. I also put…
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What kind of portable tablesaw should I buy for building a new house and outbuildings?
What kind of portable tablesaw should I buy for building a new house and outbuildings? I’m not a professional, so I don’t think I need a professional power tool, do I? I’m looking at a $300 model right now. It…
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How should I go about preserving exposed bricks in my home?
My kitchen will be renovated soon and I’d like to expose the bricks on one interior wall. The kitchen has a breakfast room adjoining it, with its own separate roof and lower walls — sort of like a shed tacked…
