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…
A while back I got a question from a subscriber about how to fix a big crack in a concrete slab. There’s a lot of misunderstanding about this, a lot of bad products that won’t work long term, with limited…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, educates homeowners on Villum Kann Rasmussen, inventor of the roof window skylight.
If you’re a senior citizen, or you’re physically challenged, you should know about the financial help available for helping you keep living in your home and avoid institutional care. might consider something called a “porch lift” for your home. Something called…
Do you have a cold room that is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer? Steve Maxwell explains how to turn that room into a cold cellar for preserving food.
For those of us living in cold climates, one of the most annoying (and mysterious) problems happens when rooftop plumbing vent pipes get plugged with frost. This is called “ice capping” and the longer the cold spells you get in…