The term storm door, defined as an additional door placed outside an ordinary exterior door for added protection from severe weather, was first used in 1878. Today’s storm doors typically have glass and screen inserts that offer flexibility depending on the season. If you’re considering a storm door for your home, or if you have one and are thinking about upgrading, here are some things to know before you purchase. P....
Laundry is hands down one of the most daunting domestic chores, both time consuming and — if done right — tedious. The newest player in the laundry game aims to lighten the load by offering an alternative to the washer-dryer merry-go-round and endless dry cleaning runs: the LG Styler steam closet. Introduced in Korea a decade ago, it started gaining traction in the U.S. the past few years. The steam closet’s hefty price tag makes it a niche product for now....
Considerations When Choosing a Swimming Pool If you’re considering putting in a backyard swimming pool, you may be undecided between an above-ground or in-ground pool. To help you choose which type of pool is right for you, read on for some of the key differences between an above-ground and an in-ground pool. On This Page Pool Design Above-ground pools offer far fewer options for pool shape, features and depth. Most are round or rectangular, with uniform depth — not more than 52 inches (a little more than four feet)....
The performance and style of open-design, alloy wheels has displaced use of steel wheels on many of today’s vehicle lines. The resulting peek-a-boo display of these vehicles’ brake calipers (particularly on oversized rims) motivated high-end sports car manufacturers to develop brake caliper paint used as eye-candy on their production models. As Ferraris and other exotic cars began rolling off the line with painted calipers in the early 1990s, the world took notice, and by the middle of the decade brake caliper paint even became standard on several domestic models....
Clutter makes it difficult to enjoy our homes to the fullest. Clutter can make it tough to feel motivated to clean or invite people over. But how do you know if clutter is simply a result of some bad habits or if it indicates a deeper issue— like hoarding? First, it’s important to understand hoarding is a distinct psychological disorder that goes beyond clutter. That’s according to Joseph Kim, an assistant professor at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute with a doctorate in clinical psychology....
In a perfect world, home improvement projects would add as much value to your home as the amount you spent on the work. But that’s rarely the case. In fact, some projects might only bring you half as much value as you paid. According to 2020 national averages obtained by Remodeling Magazine, manufactured stone veneer offered the best bang for your buck at a 95.6 percent recouped cost. Conversely, an upscale master suite addition, which averages $282,062, had the lowest return at just a 51....
Besides having long legs and a creepy demeanor, most people are scared of spiders for one specific reason: Their bite. If you’re not sure the type of spider, there’s always a chance that the spider could be venomous. However, it has been proven that only about 10 percent of spider bites lead to necrotic skin lesions. These types of bites actually don’t come from the innocent brown spiders that make a home within your home....
The season’s final tomatoes and arugula disappeared into last night’s salad. The sunflowers are all wilted. The squirrels are in hyper-gear preparing their stashes. And the air has that first hint of winter. Now what? Now is the time to start getting ready for spring. And when the days start to get longer again in a few months, you’ll be glad that you spent some time this fall treating your soil for the winter....
A Fence for Fido If you have a yard and a dog or two (or three or more!), chances are you’re going to need a dog fence. These fences enable your pet to play in a secure space, without risk of running off or getting hit by a car. A dog fence also allows you to open the back door and let your pet do its business, without early morning or late-night dog walks....
When you’re ready to put new siding on your home, the cost can vary greatly depending on where you live and the material you pick. You may even decide to do other projects once the old siding is removed, which also affects the cost. Before you start, here’s what you need to know. Cost of Siding by Material Type Typical costs for materials, before factoring in labor, include: On This Page...
Smart scales use WiFi or Bluetooth to sync up with your smartphone, allowing you to record and track measurements such as your weight, body-fat percentage and more. It’s pretty cool technology that can help you work toward your health goals. If you’re in the market for a smart scale, there are a wide range of products available at many price points — so many that you may find yourself questioning which one is right for you....
Every family or individual has their reasons for considering a home security camera. Maybe it’s to keep an eye on a baby or toddler while it sleeps upstairs. Maybe it’s to make sure your dogs aren’t having a party while you’re out of the house. Or maybe it’s to monitor your front door or because you’re concerned about break-ins or porch pirates. Though we’re past the age where we need a baby monitor, my husband and I discussed the need for a home security system with video cameras....
Inside Sam’s Club New Home Services Program Sam’s Club joined forces with Service Finance Company, LLC to offer the new service. Sam’s Club Home Install Experts by Service Finance offers customers access to professional home services through an online platform. The list of home improvement projects includes HVAC, roofing, bath, siding, window and door installation and window treatments. Additional services like kitchens, flooring and gutters will be added soon. The new service pits Sam’s Club against big box home improvement heavyweights The Home Depot and Lowe’s by connecting customers with vetted, highly-rated contractors in their area....
With the possible exception of professional drywall installers and plasterers, no one likes working with drywall. It’s heavy and crumbly and hard to cut cleanly. And don’t even start about taping and mudding — nothing but mess and dust. But 15 million pounds of drywall is produced in the U.S. every year. Most of it goes on walls, but around 15 percent is leftover waste. What should be done with it?...
Smart speakers are one of the biggest trends in home automation. Not only do they give you a way to listen to your favorite music, they can also make your day easier, entertain, check weather and much more. What Is a Smart Speaker? On This Page How Do Smart Speakers Work? Smart speakers operate via voice commands. When the speaker “hears” you speak a trigger word, it tries to carry out the command that follows....
Because I have a small garden, composting for me is equally about keeping waste out of the landfill as it is helping my plants thrive. While some people get super involved in balancing out pH and nutrients, I just try to keep my bin uncomplicated enough that I use it regularly. While I’ve started many compost piles, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve only reaped the rewards of a few. That’s partly because I tend to relocate faster than it takes to turn kitchen scraps into compost....
Buying land to build a house or cabin is a big deal, and comes with many important considerations. Lot size and characteristics, soil composition, lakeshore type, road access and connectivity are just a few factors you should examine carefully when land shopping. Equally important is utility access. Unless you’re planning to go completely off-grid on a remote parcel of land with no neighbors or towns nearby, you’ll need things like a domestic water supply, sewage disposal and a connection to the electrical grid....
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Fire Pit Safety Backyard fire pits have been rated the most popular outdoor design feature by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Who doesn’t love sitting around a fire with family and friends? But, they come with a warning. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, as reported by NBC News, at least 5,300 injuries related to fire pits or outdoor heaters were treated at emergency rooms in the U....
As more people turn to video calling for business and pleasure, there are an increasing number of ways to make your video chats more interesting. High on the list of options: Using filters to change your look, whether adding a Joe Exotic from Tiger King-style mullet or ever-so-subtly improving your appearance, no shower required. These filters — and thousands more — come with an app called Snap Camera, and it’s a total game-changer for video calling....
Family Handyman Simple Lawn Edging To edge your lawn, garden, or flowerbed, lay down a 2×6. While holding the board with your foot, drive a flat spade along the board’s edge. Move the board as needed to create a clean, straight line. Check out these 23 Yard Tool Hacks That’ll Make Your Life Easier. These simple and smart updates to everyday yard tools will make your outdoor chores a heck of a lot easier this season....
