Home Exteriors
Everything you need to know to make the outside of your home better, more durable and more beautiful.
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HOME TECH: Automatic Backup Generators Get Smarter
In December 2013, relatives of mine in Toronto spent Christmas in a cheap hotel miles from their home because of…
CLOTHES DRYER VENTS: How To Build Them Better
Clothes dryer vents have got to be one of the last things builders consider when they’re putting a house together,…
EXTERIOR WOOD FINISHING: All You Need to Know About Oiling
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains to handy DIY homeowners how to make oiling exterior wood easy and effective.
PLUMBING: Electricity-Free Frozen Drain Vent Solution
For those of us living in cold climates, one of the most annoying (and mysterious) problems happens when rooftop plumbing…
HOME IMPROVEMENT: “How Can I Stop My Garage Door From Sticking Shut In Winter?
Question: How can I stop my garage door from freezing to the concrete floor when it gets really cold? I…
TOOLS: How to Choose & Use a Pressure Washer
Watch the video below for tips and tricks on using your pressure washer, including some uses you’ve probably never seen…
HOMEBUILDING: Optimal Energy Performance for New Homes & Additions
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains four insulation options to ensure your new home or addition is energy efficient.
AGING AT HOME: Key Renovations help Avoid Nursing Home Life
Aging in place in your own home is a hot topic these days, but the various pieces of information needed…
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…
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…
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Everything you need to know to make the outside of your home better, more durable and more beautiful.