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.
Q&A OF THE WEEK: “Should I Finish Cedar Sidewall Shingles?”
Q: What are the pros and cons of leaving cedar sidewall shingles unfinished? We’re planning to cover the walls…
Q&A OF THE WEEK: “How Do I Freeze-Proof a Cabin Water Line?”
Q: What’s the best way to freeze-proof a water line from a spring to a vacation cabin we visit year-round?…
Q&A OF THE WEEK: “Am I Being Scammed by a Mold Expert?”
Q: Am I being scammed by a mold expert? I found a 24” x 24” area of discolouration on…
HOW TO INSTALL TRIM Q&A: “Should I Trust My Contractor’s Advice?”
Q: What should I think of a contractor who wants to fasten 8” wide Douglas fir exterior window trim using…
WORKBENCH SUPREME: See a Combination Scaffold Frame, Storage System & Workbench
A number of years ago I was asked to testify in a lawsuit involving a father who fell off a…
CERAMIC TILES: This is What a Proper Installation Looks Like
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, goes over how DIY homeowners can install ceramic tiles that last.
THREE READER Q&As: Furnace Room Ventilation, Insulating Exterior Walls, The Truth About Basement Walls (Video Below)
Furnace Room Ventilation Q: Do I need to install vented doors when I build a wall around the furnace and…
KILL MOLD STAINS: Oxygen-Based Chemistry Now Easier to Use
Sooner or later every deck, shed, fence and outdoor wood surface gets moldy or weathered in time. Even non-wood surfaces…
Q&A of the Week: What Replacement Skylight Do You Recommend?
Q: My current skylight is damaged and needs to be replaced. Can you recommend a reliable brand and installer? A:…
Q&A OF THE WEEK: “How Can I Insulate Walls In My 1940 Home?”
Q: Is it possible to blow insulation into the wall cavities of one of those little veteran homes built right…
Q&A: Can you help me make sense of options for potlights? I’m confused.
Q: Can you help me make sense of all the options for potlights? I’m confused by all the choices, sizes…
Why Your Basement is Cold (and what you can do about it)
If you’ve dealt with practical matters much, you know there can be a big difference between theory and practice. The…
GET YOUR SOLAR ENERGY & WATER SYSTEM VIDEO eBOOKS GIFT
Congratulations! Someone who cares about you has bought you the gift of four of my instructional video ebooks. Click here to…
PATCHING WALLS: Course Teaches All the Tricks
The quickest way to change the look of your home is by changing the colours on your walls. Use these…
VIDEO FEATURE: See Deck Stain Testing Program in Action
Back in the 1980s I did some exterior woodworking for a client. They were very pleased, at least at first…
DECK STAIN: 5 Essentials for Staining Your Deck So It Looks Great and Lasts Long
“Be sure to check out the Deck Stain Q&A section at the end of the last page of this post. All questions…
Crunch The Numbers & Reveal True Costs of Keeping Your House Warm
When it comes to managing home heating costs, identifying the most economical energy source is not always simple. One reason…
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Everything you need to know to make the outside of your home better, more durable and more beautiful.