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.
EIFS: A Durable, Weatherproof & Energy-Efficient Stucco Option
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains the benefits of a modern stucco system: exterior insulation and finishing system or EIFS.
Common Problems with Roof Restoration
UPDATED 1Apr2020: Just like the human immune system, the roof of any house is the first line of defense against…
WORRIED ABOUT YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM? Learn to Fix a Clogged System Yourself & Stop Worrying
Welcome Septic System Owners! If you’ve got a septic system that’s failing (or one you’d like to prevent from failing…
WINDOW CONDENSATION: How to Eliminate Wet Winter Windows
As cold weather descends, many homes develop wet windows that are prone to mold. But window condensation is a bigger…
NEW WINDOWS Q&A: Will They Reduce Street Noise & Condensation?
UPDATED 1Nov2019 + Video Q: Will new windows reduce street noise and wintertime condensation? Our home was built in 1995…
Q&A of the Week: “How Should I Re-Strip a Deck for Refinishing?”
Q: What’s the best way to strip back to bare wood on a deck that I started to finish with…
BASEMENT INSULATION 101: The Real Way to Prevent Musty Basement Smells
How a basement is finished has a big effect on indoor air quality throughout your home. That’s because more than half…
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…
Search Home Exteriors Articles
Everything you need to know to make the outside of your home better, more durable and more beautiful.