A home security system can give you peace of mind that your home is protected with 24/7 monitoring, live footage from strategically installed security cameras, or other features that keep you feeling safe. To help our readers find high-quality security solutions for their homes, the This Old House Reviews Team analyzed and ranked the best home security companies based on cost, quality of security equipment, reputation, and other important factors....

With professional monitoring, two-way voice options, and remote door locking and unlocking, there are many special security system features available that are designed to give you peace of mind when you’re away from home. However, not all home security systems are of the same quality; they can differ in terms of plans and packages offered, ease of installation, contract periods, and more. The This Old House Reviews Team has rounded up the best home security systems in New Jersey, evaluating a wide range of factors and providing our top recommendations....

Host Kevin O’Connor thinks it’s a “smooth” way to get restricted pocket items past airport security. Heating and plumbing expert Richard Trethewey thinks he uses it to exfoliate and remove unsightly hair (he may have been slightly aggressive on his head, though). General contractor Tom Silva thinks this contraption is for cleaning paint rollers at the end of a long day. What Is It? | Blue Teardrop But they’re all wrong....

Our approach calls for mounting ready-made brackets to the door’s casing—and the framing behind it—then attaching an assembly of rafters and purlins shaped to complement your home’s existing trim. Follow along as This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers guides you through making this decorative structure, which looks as good freshly installed as it would draped in flowering vines. Brackets: Port Orford cedar Original style end bracket, about $88, and Contemporary style center support, about $55, Auer-Jordan....

For parents like Phil Nolan and Michele Rast, backyard vegetable gardening has intangible benefits, too. “We want our kids to appreciate the way things grow and to understand the value of food,” Nolan says when asked why he dug up part of the family’s New Jersey lawn to put in a formal 18-by-32-foot veggie garden. Shown: The 576-square-foot plot produces veggies all summer for a family of four, with plenty left over to share....

Smoking Turkey Bye-bye birdie: Smoke starts pouring out of the oven while you’re cooking. Prevent it: Clean the oven thoroughly at least a day before the meal. When broiling, keep food at least 2 to 3 inches from the flame and place a sheet pan underneath to catch drippings that could smoke. Sparking Holiday Lights Multiple light strings crammed into a single outlet can lead to a fast-igniting blaze. Prevent it: Keep an outlet’s total amperage or volts under 15 amps, or if using a power strip, within the manufacturer’s rating....

And, since they’re a DIY project, they’re even customizable. Best of all, these shelves will keep tools, totes, equipment, and other items neatly organized and off the floor. Here’s how to tackle this DIY garage shelf project for your space. How to Build DIY Garage Shelves The following guide is totally customizable, but we’ll focus on building one shelving unit with 48-inch wide by 16-inch deep shelves. Feel free to adjust those measurements as needed, but recognize that you’ll need more (or less) materials....

It all comes down to the ducts. All central air systems use a maze of hidden ducts to deliver conditioned air to various rooms throughout the house. Conventional systems can require bulky buildouts that result in less-than-desirable aesthetics. Smaller HVAC Systems Work for All Homes By contrast, small-duct, high-velocity (SDHV) methods are constructed of flexible tubes that can snake in and out of existing cavities, without having to gut your home for the job....

Hidden away under your sink, garbage disposals are perfectly concealed, so it’s easy to forget they’re there. But like any appliance, they need a good cleaning every once in a while, or you could end up with a breeding ground for harmful bacteria or mold. Why Should You Clean Your Garbage Disposal? Most of the food you send through your garbage disposal is ground up and disappears from your life forever....

Cleaning and restaining a deck Tools

Diagram Before beginning the project, you’ll need to take your wall’s measurements to figure out how much material you’ll need for rails and stiles. Using paper or drafting software, create a diagram based on your wall’s measurements. For the Malineks’ design, Lee divided the wall, which is just over 13 feet long, into five panels 27 inches wide and separated by the (actual) 3½-inch-wide trim. You can tailor your own scale to the width of your wall and the width of your material with this formula: a....

How to Make Multiple Cuts with a Miter Saw 1. Use the First Cut as a Template The first and most obvious way is to use the first cut board to size the next cut. Do this by placing the cut board on top of the uncut board with the ends flush. Lower the blade slightly, and then slide the two boards until the cut boards hit the side of the blade, remove the board and then make the cut....

Whether you’re building a deck or remodeling one, the only real design constraints are your budget, what’s permissible in your neighborhood, and what complements the setting. Take inspiration from these 9 smart deck ideas for a well-designed space built just for you. Above Ground Pool Deck Design and nature collaborate to combat the heat. A pergola with a pulldown screen stands sentinel against the sun. The redwood decking undulates around a cool pool and is cut to incorporate arboreal shade....