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.
OUTDOOR WOOD: “How Can I Fix the Fuzzy Wood on My Deck?”
QUESTION: What should I do about the fuzzy surface fibers that developed on my deck? In the fall I stripped…
ASPHALT SHINGLE ROOF REPAIR: Climb Up Top With Me & See How It’s Done
Have you lost some asphalt roof shingles because of wind? Let me show you how to fix that with a job…
MULTI-FUEL GENERATORS: Ideal Option for Long-Term Outages
Home generators have never been more popular because people are more concerned than ever about backup electrical power when the…
ROOFS: Leak-Proof Alternative to Eavestrough
Sick and tired of leaky, clog-prone eavestrough? You might consider a trough-free alternative that Steve has used at his own…
DOOR HINGE INSTALLATION: Watch Me Chop a Hinge Pocket for a Wooden Door I Built
Just for fun, here’s a two-minute peek over my shoulder as I use a super-sharp chisel and mallet to create…
SUMMER COMFORT: Keep Upper Stories Comfortable When A/C Can’t
Want to keep a lot cooler in summer without relying so much on air conditioning? Check out Steve’s 2-minute video…
OUTDOOR PLAYSETS: Tips & Plans for Building Your Own
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, talks to homeowners about how to build a safe and fun wooden play area for…
PREPAREDNESS: Why The Electricity Grid Could Go Down for Months (and what you can do about it)
Our world has become entirely dependent on centrally supplied electricity, and this has brought a lot of good to humanity…
OUTDOOR PROJECTS: Real-World Tricks for Working With Posts, Beams & More
There are tricks that make a big difference to the visual success of outdoor woodworking projects, and that’s what you’ll…
HOW TO GET RID OF GNATS – 10 Fast, Easy Ways That Really Work
The term “gnat” means different things to different people, but generally they’re small biting and non-biting flying insects that often…
YARD & GARDEN: How Poor Soil Conditions Can Sabotage Your Driveway from Below
Your driveway’s biggest enemy is not the weather or heavy traffic – it is what lies beneath the surface. While…
HOMEBUILDING: Furnace-Free House in Cold Toronto Heats for $20/Month
Learn About Reiner Hoyer’s fantastic super-efficient furnace free home and how he stays warm during the Toronto winters.
PLUMBING: My Favourite Way to Make PEX Water Pipe Connections
Join more than 85,000 people who have watched and learned from Steve’s tour of the ProPEX pipe and connection system…
“How Can I Shorten a Door to Allow for Higher New Flooring?”
Question: What’s the best way to shorten two wooden doors as part of a laminate floor job I’m planning? I…
STONEWORKING: Splitting A Monster Rock With Plug-and-Feather Wedges
When a huge stone was uncovered while excavating for an addition my son Robert is building, we got out our…
HOMEBUILDING: Watch Last Stone Being Laid After 31 Years
On July 4, 1987, I laid the first stone in what would be the basement of my homestead house on…
HOMEBUILDING: Why Brick Ties Are Vital & See An Excellent Version
Brick ties are hidden pieces of hardware that tie brick veneer to the underlying wall frame of some modern house…
ANCHORING TO CONCRETE: Powder-Actuated Tools Make It Easy
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, informs homeowners of the benefits of powder-actuated tools (PATs), especially for basement renovations.
BACKYARDS: The Environmental Benefits of Adding Shade Structures to Your Home
If you’re considering getting an awning, pergola, or maybe one of those cool canopies for your backyard there’s one more…
HVAC: Common Problems with Home Air Conditioners
People who live in Lemoyne and the surrounding areas in Pennsylvania experience temperatures in the mid-80s to low 90s Fahrenheit…
4 Home Inspection Tips Before Buying a House
When searching for their dream home, many people focus on the house design and its location. However, due diligence is…
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Everything you need to know to make the outside of your home better, more durable and more beautiful.



















