Refinishing a fiberglass exterior door (and wood ones, too) is a job many homeowners assume requires a professional. In reality, it’s a manageable DIY project if you understand the key differences between fiberglass and wood. With the right stripper, stain…
Some new homes and renovations are great, and some are crummy. The difference often comes down to the quality of innovation applied to the project. Here are three game-changing innovations that can make homes great.
Outdoor wood boilers rely on combustion air to burn wood efficiently. If the blower fan supplying air to the fire is weak or poorly directed, the wood burns slowly and produces less heat. This can lead to smoky exhaust, creosote…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, outlines his philosophy for home builds and renovation projects.
This Tremclad rust paint review is based on more than 50 years of hands-on experience with outdoor steel. There’s one product I’ve happily used for decades, and it’s made especially for exterior steel: Tremclad rust paint. It’s my go-to paint…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, talks about engineered wood lumber materials, a popular eco-friendly option.
A number of years ago, some Toronto relatives of mine experienced an extended power outage over Christmas, and like many people in their area of the city they ended up being forced to move into a hotel during the holiday…
Off-grid power technology is getting better quickly in surprising ways, and this means it’s never been easier to enjoy running water and electric power for lighting and small cooking jobs in cabins and lakeside cottages that can’t connect to utility…
This Guide Helps You Avoid Expensive Regrets If you’ve worked on modern houses, you already know how much can be systematized.Materials are standardized. Methods are familiar. Surprises are limited. Older houses are different. Homes built before — and even shortly…
I’ve built houses from scratch from foundation to roof peak, and I’ve also managed and worked on a number of older home renovations and restorations. Because of that, I can say with confidence that these two types of projects are…
Outdoor painting projects are common, but not all paint jobs last equally long or look equally good. This article explains three essential outdoor painting details that help your paint job endure weather and wear — from surface preparation to technique…
Steve Maxwell, Canadas Handiest Man, takes a look at intelligent roofing products and techniques that have come about to help create smarter roofs.