What is R-value? Tom defines R-value as the resistance of heat transfer through the insulation—meaning, the better the R-value, the less heat is lost. When it comes to R-value and recommendations for your home, a lot depends on where you live. How to Insulate HVAC Ductwork In southern parts of the United States, the recommended R-value for a roof is R-30; for the middle of the country R-38; and farther north, R-49 is strongly recommended, as the climate becomes colder....

Steps on How to Waterproof Your Window: Tools

The Best Materials for Outdoor Furniture When you take the time to create a masterpiece, you want it to withstand the elements. So before diving into creating your own outdoor furniture, let’s talk about material choices and their finishes. 42 Ideas for the Perfect Outdoor Space Some types of wood are naturally resistant to decay. The best options for outdoor wood furniture are: Cedar White oak Redwood Cypress Teak DIY Outdoor Furniture Ideas Side table with patio paver top Create this simple side table with three 2”x2”x8’ lengths of wood and a 16”x16” patio paver....

11 Roof Deck Design Ideas Light things up For evening gatherings, amp up the rooftop with lighting. Choose elements that complement the surrounding design. Look for solar-powered illumination and achieve a layered effect with ambient lights, task lighting, and safety lights near steps and doorways. And, if you have garden plants on the roof, direct lights at them to showcase their beauty after the sun’s gone down. Keep things private A neighbor might need a telescope to see who you’re dining with on your rooftop, but if you still feel like a goldfish, erect some privacy screens....

Stock up on pattern-transfer paper, plywood, and paint, get your jigsaw ready, and keep reading to find the project that’ll put your DIY skills—and holiday spirit—on display. 11 Wooden Christmas Yard Decorations 1. White Reindeer Sure, there are hundreds of wooden reindeer patterns out there. But, this one is a classic. Punctuate your display with these simple white reindeer, which can be easily disassembled and stored flat for use year after year....

To make that impression, door décor should complement the architecture of the house and reflect the personality of the owner. So, go beyond the same-old seasonal wreath and really refresh your front door, gaining inspiration from the ideas here. Then everyone who sees it—from neighbors and passersby to family members—will do the natural thing when met by a lovely smile: They’ll smile back! 13 Door Decorating Ideas Get in the mood The most obvious and affordable way to refresh door décor is with an impactful paint job....

Not quite. “The truth is, it is easy to do things poorly,” says Rich O’Neil, who chairs a craftsmanship committee within the Painting and Decorating Contractors Association of America. There’s no substitute for learning the proper steps, taking time to do the job right, and improving your technique as you go. 24 Pro-Tips to Help You Paint Trim and Walls But there are also a few tricks of the trade that homeowners can learn to ease the way....

If sun or the weather keep you from enjoying your outdoor space, or if your living room feels like an oven, take cover under an awning. Let’s take a look at the different styles available. How Much Do Awnings Cost? Umbrellas, canopies, and shade sails are available for under $100. Manually-operated retractable awnings from the big box store (DIY installation) cost just a few hundred. But motorized awnings with weather sensors, waterproof fabric, or large sizes, can cost a few thousand dollars and more, especially if you want premium features like phone app controls and integrated lighting and heating systems....

What are the different types of flat roofs? Built-up roof (BUR), modified bitumen roof (MBR), and rubber membrane roof (EPDM). Pros and Cons for Flat Roof Materials All three types of flat roofing cost $250 to $350 per “square” (100 square feet), but prices vary according to region and size of the roof. Flat roofs usually come with a 10- to 20-year warranty but can last 25 years if you build the roofs right and maintain them using commonsense rules....

Top 5 Curtain Rods Most Customizable Length: Ivilon Side Window Curtain Rod Best Double Rod: Umbra Twilight Double Curtain Rod Set Most Versatile Rod: Kenney Adler Indoor/Outdoor Rust-Resistant Wraparound Curtain Rod Best Finish Options: Decopolitan Urn Single Rod Set Best Value: Kenney Chelsea Standard Decorative Window Curtain Rod Most Customizable Length: Ivilon Side Window Curtain Rod Pros and Cons ✔ Has a one-inch diameter to accommodate heavier fabrics ✔ Includes all installation parts including finials, brackets, screws, and wall anchors ✔ Has an elegant design that fits in modern or minimalist homes ✘ Matching loop rings need to be purchased separately ✘ Some customers said the finish rubbed off on their hands What Customers Are Saying Satisfied customers said that the curtain rod was sleek, sturdy, and easy to install....

7 Fall Flowers to Plant in Your Garden Updated twists on garden classics from aster to tickseed, these fall plants and flowers offer unusual hues, longer bloom times, or easier care; there’s even a fragrant pachysandra. Many of these fall flowers to plant might still be at your local nursery, or can be ordered online. So whether you’re seeking a late shot of color for a woodland setting or a sunny border, one of our favorites here will fill the bill....

Homeowners Christian and Alexis DuBois opted for solid cabinet fronts over glass ones, allowing them to hide a desk and a TV in plain sight. “We have two kids, so there is always stuff around, but it never feels cluttered,” says Alexis. Barn-red walls, an oak floor, and a tawny beadboard ceiling warm up a room lined in vintage white. “People come in,” she says, “and have no idea it’s new....

When Amy and Billy Reed came upon a modest 1937 cottage in Mill Valley, California, it was the small, everyday details that convinced them the 1,036-square-foot house was not a teardown. And so they felt compelled to safeguard the home’s humble charms as they set about adapting it as a home for themselves and their two children, Margaret and Townsend. Repro hinges give a paneled fridge vintage cred.Refrigerator: ThermadorWallpaper: Hicks’ Hexagon, Cole & SonLighting: West Elm Like many Mill Valley homes built in the waning years of the Great Depression, the cottage was a bit of a hodgepodge....

Along with the benefits to your skin and sinuses, a steam shower doesn’t take a long time to generate heat like a whirlpool tub or sauna. And when you’re done steaming, you just turn on the shower for a refreshing rinse. How Does a Steam Shower Work? Steam shower design is fairly straightforward. To summon steam, you simply hit the digital controls in the shower stall. That triggers an electric valve to fill the breadbox-size steam generator with about a gallon of cold water....

While some folks amass all manner of items and so really struggle with clutter, most of us have a few weak spots—too many tools, loads of clothes, a massive media collection. Fortunately, some general rules apply to keeping tidily on top of just about anything. You’ll find them below, as well as solutions for specific categories of basic belongings. Follow just a few of the suggestions and the age-old adage of “a place for everything and everything in its place” may finally begin to have meaning for you....

Check your local listings for official PBS airdates/times. You can also stream this episode for free by downloading the This Old House app.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.