Home Renovation advice from Steve Maxwell, Canada's Handiest Man

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HOMEOWNERS WANTED: Share How Insulation Improved Your Home and Win Prizes

Insulation is one of my favourite topics for articles and videos because insulation makes the difference between an expensive, uncomfortable house and an economical, comfortable place to live. The numbers show this fact and the experience of people do, too. Have you […]

VIDEO: How to Buy an Efficient Resale Home

It takes diligence to buy a resale home wisely because it’s hard to know what you’re getting. That’s why people hire home inspectors. But even the best home inspector can’t give you numbers on how efficient a home is. A […]

Time to Make the Trades Cool Again

Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, discusses the decline of people entering trade jobs in Canada.

VIDEO: How Vapour Barriers Work & Why They Matter

Most homes are insulated with some kind of insulation such as fibreglass or rock wool, but for these products to work properly they need to be installed with some kind of vapour barrier. This is vital to prevent the growth […]

VIDEO: Stair Tread Installation Trick

Are you building or renovating stairs? You’ve got to watch this video. It’s the first I ever posted online, it’s been public since November 28, 2008 and it’s still useful. It teaches a simple, cost-free way to mark new stair treads […]

ROOT CELLARS: Eat Better for Less

The ability to store fruits and vegetables long-term at your own house is an idea that will never go out of fashion. Read here and download building plans for making your own root cellar no matter what your situation.

HOME RENO: Why Spray Foam Is Safe and Effective

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 […]

TOO HOT UPSTAIRS: Causes and Cures of this Widespread Problem

Tired of running your A/C full blast, only to have your upstairs rooms still too hot? Steve tells us about the trick of using openable skylights to help your air conditioner keep your whole house cooler.

Five Little Things That Matter

Every building job is made of tasks, and every task requires that materials, labour and tools come together. Sometimes the smallest tool, gadget or gizmo can make a huge difference in the quality, efficiency and the outcome of jobs. I call […]

Five Interior Painting Tips from the Pros

Got some painting to do at your place? Check out these five tips from professional painters that Steve has worked with. Better painting in less time is what you’ll get.