Adding daylight to your home is one of the best things you can do and it’s the ultimate green energy source. Here’s how to make it happen with sunlight tunnels when conventional skylights aren’t an option.
Question: I’m stripping lead paint from a bunch of wood trim and doors, and I need some advice. I’ve tried different chemical strippers with no success, but have found that a heat gun works. It’s very slow, but most importantly…
Canada’s Handiest Man, Steve Maxwell, explains the advantages of using infrared thermological technology to find heat loss spots in your home.
Question: How should my husband and I choose an architect? We’ve bought five acres of waterfront property that’s blessed with interesting topography. We envision a small, green home, perhaps using water reclamation technology and solar energy, incorporating local materials. How…
Back in 1975, top trades people installed an average of about $10,000 worth of materials a month on commercial building projects. Fast-forward 50 years and this figure has doubled thanks to a quantum leap in tool technology and the building…
Although you may not live in Canada, as I do, the fact is that many homes around the world would benefit from more insulation. “Experts” tend to greatly under-estimate the amount of insulation homes need at any point in history. Even homes…
I love wood, but even I have to admit that there is such a thing as too much wood in a house. That’s where paint can help. Prepare those old, brown varnished cabinets properly and a new coat of paint…
If you care about indoor air quality in your home (and eliminating window condensation in winter), you should consider adding a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to your home. This article explains how these devices are installed, and how you can…
Have you ever wanted an off grid solar system to power your home or cottage? How about wind energy? Let me to tell you a true story about a couple who built an off-grid energy system way back in 1998 that’s…
Most basements are finished far more poorly than they should be, and exterior basement walls are often the most serious example of error. The common practice of using stud frame walls with fiber-based insulation against foundation walls is simply asking…
There’s a better way to install trim. Instead of cutting, fitting and nailing each piece separately, check out this faster and more accurate option.
The first time I saw spray foam insulation in action was in the winter of 1988, while working as a carpenter on a commercial construction site. I’ve been impressed with this stuff ever since. Over the years spray foam has…