Ever notice how some indoor spaces feel great and others make you feel lousy? The difference comes down to a handful of things that aren’t immediately obvious, not even to some renovation professionals. That’s where knowing about four simple design strategies pay […]
Continue ReadingQ&A: How Do I Anchor Something Heavy to Drywall?
Q: How do I anchor something heavy to drywall? I’d like to install a hanging ceiling lamp bracket, but don’t think a regular hook will hold. What can I do? A: You’re wise to be concerned because a regular drywall anchor […]
Continue ReadingQ&A: Is Knotty Pine Good For a Finished Floor?
Q: Is knotty pine a good option for a finished floor? We’ve read your recommendations of this material, and would love to use it, but we’ve been advised not to. We’re told the wood will probably buckle, crack and split […]
Continue ReadingASBESTOS SIDING: Safe or Dangerous?
Every so often I get a homeowner question that goes something like this: “What can I do about the asbestos wall shingles applied to the outside of my 1950s house? I need to understand the relative risks associated with keeping […]
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PRODUCT REVIEW: EcoVent Dryer & Exhaust Fan Vent
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 […]
Continue ReadingENERGY EFFICIENCY: Open Cell vs Closed Cell Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is one of the most effective tools we’ve got for boosting energy efficiency in new homes and renovations. But to make spray foam work, you need to understand the two main types on the market. Click below […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S NEW: Automatic Backup Generators Get Better
Where I live in Canada we get about a dozen electrical power failures each year. Some of these are short, lasting only a few minutes. Other failures are 8 hour-long “scheduled” power interruptions that shut down entire business sectors for […]
Continue ReadingVIDEO: Where to Find Financial Help for Insulation Upgrades
Governments everywhere apply extra taxes on energy products, so it’s only right that property owners get some of that back in the form of financial incentives for energy upgrades. But where to look for incentive programs? Municipalities, provinces, utilities and […]
Continue ReadingIDEAS: We’ve Forgotten How to Make Skilled Tradespeople
A while ago I heard from a reader named Mike about an article I wrote on the long-term shortage of skilled tradespeople in North America. The reality we’ve both observed is at least half a century old, and I hear about […]
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