Question: Do you have a recommended brand and type of spray foam in a can, other than the usual closed cell polyurethane foam you see in hardware stores everywhere? I’ve got some small DIY jobs and I also want to…
Are you planning to have your basement finished? Perhaps you’ll be doing the work yourself? Let me give you five key points to keep in mind. I see people making errors like these all the time, and they keep on…
You want to sell your home quickly, without the hassle of repairs or endless showings. You’re tired of waiting for uncertain offers and dealing with complicated fees. It’s time for a stress-free, straightforward path forward. You’re seeking a solution that…
Woodworking tools and skills offer more than just the chance to create custom furniture and projects. It’s also your ticket to classic architectural details like this box newel stair railing. Popular in heritage homes from the 19th century, box newel railings…
Home design is all about self-expression and putting your stamp on a place. However, it’s also about making a home that exists harmoniously with both its immediate environment and the planet as a whole. Sustainable interior design involves reducing waste,…
When it comes to home maintenance, minor problems can escalate quickly if left unchecked. What starts as a tiny leak, crack, or squeak can lead to costly repairs if you don’t address it promptly. The key to avoiding expensive repairs…
In this video Steve Maxwell shows DIY (do-it-yourself) homeowners how to build wood handrails, beginning with making blanks from rough lumber.
Ordinary dryer vents and bathroom exhaust vents hardly ever work properly. The flimsy plastic internal flap door opens and closes in the wind, and most of these flaps eventually fall off in time. The only vent I’ve ever seen that’s…
Tankless water heaters do three things that tank-style heaters can’t. First, they’re small. They take up little space because they sit on the wall, not the floor. Second, they deliver unlimited hot water (as long as they’re sized correctly). A…
Manufactured from recycled tires, QuietDown is a Canadian-made rubber sheet material that reduces sound transmission between floors. Lay it down immediately under new flooring and it absorbs the sound of foot steps and movement from travelling to rooms below. Q:…
In this video, Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains the usefulness of scale architectural models before beginning a custom home build.
Question: Can I drill a two-inch hole through the concrete floor of my basement for the drain tube of an air conditioner? The nearest drainpipe is 25 feet away and I don’t want to install plastic pipes running along the…