Home Exteriors
Everything you need to know to make the outside of your home better, more durable and more beautiful.
Review the entire Archive of Home Exteriors Articles here, or do a more in-depth search to find what you’re looking for.
TOOLS: Why A Reciprocating Saw Deserves a Place In Your World
Reciprocating saws (often called “recip” saws for short) may be the least appreciated mainstream power tool in the world. Invented…
HOME ENERGY: Don’t Get Fooled By Convincing Snake Oil Nonsense
Don’t be fooled by tricky language that makes convincing but false claims about energy efficiency. Get the basics of home…
HOME RENOS: How House Paint is Getting So Much Better
With the help of a friend, my wife and I finished painting the entire interior of our house a while…
TOOLS: Why I Like Multi-Tools For More Than Sanding
Steve Maxwell demonstrates the various features of multi-tools in this video.
HOMEBUILDING & RENOS: How Structural Insulated Panels Cut Energy Use in Half
A while back I talked to a young pastor about a building project he had in mind. His church is…
INTERIORS: “Why is the Brick on My House Crumbling?”
Question: What’s causing the clay brick on the entrance wall of my house to peel and flake? It was built…
BUILDINGS: Learn What Matters When Choosing A Fabric Structure
Got lots of big stuff to store? Need a barn, workshop or drive shed? Consider a fabric structure. Many people…
HOMEBUILDING: 5 Designs Tips for Building Your Own Great Cozy Cabin
Have you ever dreamed of owning a beautiful, affordable tiny house? Perhaps one you built yourself with your own hands?…
HOMEBUILDING: Our Quest for Openable Octagonal Windows
81-year-old Marc Smith has been making and selling specialty windows since 2000, and he’s been doing it online. He was…
EXTERIORS: Five Reasons to Love Masonry
Masonry is the king of building materials in many ways. Watch Steve’s video on the Five Reasons to Love masonry…
DIY: Stay Safe While Stripping Lead Paint
Question: I’m stripping lead paint from a bunch of wood trim and doors, and I need some advice. I’ve tried…
BETTER DECKS: How a Router and Three Bits Boost Beauty
A little time spent with these three router bits can make any new deck look much, much better. Click and…
RESTORATION: See How I Breathed New Life Into My First Building Project
In 1986 I was living in a 7′ x 9′ tent on my newly-purchased, very rural Manitoulin Island property. With…
EXTERIORS: Two Overlooked Essentials for Great Paving Brick Installations
Canada’s Handiest Man, Steve Maxwell, lays down how to properly lay down paving bricks to create the best pathway, driveway…
ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Use Infrared Cameras To Guide Home Insulation Upgrades
Canada’s Handiest Man, Steve Maxwell, explains the advantages of using infrared thermological technology to find heat loss spots in your…
HOMES & RENOS: Follow This Design Approach to Truly Make a Place Your Own
Question: How should my husband and I choose an architect? We’ve bought five acres of waterfront property that’s blessed with…
TOOLS: Four Options That Make a Big DIY Difference
Back in 1975, top trades people installed an average of about $10,000 worth of materials a month on commercial building…
WOOD FOUNDATIONS: Pressure-Treated Panels are Warm, Dry and Easy to Build
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains and answers questions about structural insulated panels as a foundation alternative to concrete.
DIY EXTERIOR DOOR: Downloadable Plans for Building Your Own
Wooden handmade doors add soul to the front of any home.
CONSTRUCTION: Pole Barn Building Visual Guide & Instructions
If you need to add shelter to your property easily and economically, pole barns may be for you. They’re one…
EXTERIORS: 15+ Years Experiences With Allback Linseed Oil Paint
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, raves about linseed oil. Its supposed to last 50 years, but even if it doesn’t,…
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Everything you need to know to make the outside of your home better, more durable and more beautiful.