Maintaining a wooden deck finish is more work than most people realize, and that’s why it’s important to consider the long-term consequences before you make a finishing choice. Although I do like teak oil as a finish for exterior wood,…
What’s the best way to insulate the underside of a 10×15-foot sunroom? It stands three feet off the ground, and I’m confused about where to put the vapour barrier. The purpose of a vapour barrier is to prevent the movement…
It is a good idea to cover a deck with a roof, while leaving the walls open? What options do I have other than cedar for the new structure? Are there composites available that can hold a roof, possibly with…
What length of warranty should we expect from a contractor who’ll be building a cottage addition for us? Hiring a contractor is trickier than it seems, and warranty periods are the least of your worries. That’s because it’s easy for…
What’s the best way to boost the energy efficiency of my 65-year-old frame house while I’m redoing exterior walls this season? My plan is to remove all exterior layers, including the original 1″ X 6″ sheathing boards, then fill the…
How should I rout flexible synthetic water supply pipes underneath our cottage? I’m especially unclear about whether or not we need to use a manifold and where it should be located. Flexible plastic water pipes are becoming more popular because…
How should I finish my 18-year-old cedar deck? Over the years I’ve tried many products, and none have lasted more than a year. Even products with a five year warranty didn’t fare better. What should I do? The wood is…
Where can I find a hand pump for priming my seasonal cottage water system? I’m ready to follow your previous articles on priming from the end of the water intake line, but I can’t find any kind of a hand…
What can I do about the sad, ugly finish on my 2 year old cedar deck? The original finish lasted less than two months. Do I need to sand the surface? This would be a huge job, and maybe not…
How can I get rid of moisture build up and mold in my 20×40-foot, window-free cottage garage? The structure is built quite tightly, and boats, cars and trailers all show signs of moisture and corrosion, especially after being stored all…
Will insulating my garage warm up the cold bathroom that’s above it? The garage doesn’t have any insulation now, just block walls and an open ceiling frame above. Should I be using spray foam? What kind? Insulating garage walls won’t…
I’m hearing more about EnerGuide for New Houses, but I don’t know what it means. Can you explain? EnerGuide for New Houses is a numerical system that rates the energy performance of new homes. It’s based on a scale from…