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Screened-in kitchen and dining The spacious outdoor kitchen is perfect for cooking, dining, and hanging out, and it’s full of surprise amenities. A solar-powered skylight allows in plenty of daylight and fresh air from above; it also features remote-controlled, room-darkening blinds that can block the sun on especially bright days. A new, outdoor-appropriate quartz countertop is designed to withstand the sun’s rays and extreme weather. A powerful ceiling fan circulates air to keep diners cool....

In this episode: Nathan Gilbert travels to Missouri to install a set of bypass doors for a pantry; Richard Trethewey tests two different styles of smart automatic water shutoff valves; Ross Trethewey explores the design and testing of asphalt roof shingles that can reflect some of the sun’s heat away from the building. How to Install Bypass Pantry Doors Nathan Gilbert travels to Missouri to install a set of bypass doors for a pantry....

In this episode: The garage and funky porch above it have been demoed. To support a new covered front porch, Mark McCullough and his crew poured new footings and laid block. To stay consistent with the existing foundation they will replicate the stone wall look with granite veneer. The homeowners don’t want to see electric cables coming across their back yard. Kevin finds Heath laying cable in a trench out back....

In this episode: Kevin O’Connor, Tom Silva, Jenn Nawada, and Richard Trethewey drive to the Dorchester Triple Decker, which burned over a year before. Finding Charlie Silva at the home, they discuss the hurdles of the project including Covid delays, code upgrades, and the insurance process. Kevin tours Willie’s first floor apartment. In the basement, Richard shows off the sprinkler and heating systems. Carol shows Tom the third floor unit, which had the majority of the fire damage....

In this episode: The Westerly project is almost wrapped. Chris Stump is installing the televisions. In the playroom, he mounts a 55” tv on standard wall brackets. He and Kevin install the network connection and hang the tv on the bracket. In the basement, the new electric hybrid water heater has arrived. Richard checks it out with Jeff who likes it because it dehumidifies the basement. This type of water heater is more efficient than the standard ones....

Plan a Porch Project Screening in an open porch involves installing framing around it and then attaching mesh to the frame. Measure porch height by width plus 10 percent to determine material needs, then put up the enclosure using basic tools. Though a fairly simple DIY project, kits and framing systems available at home centers make it even easier. All About Porches Rely on the Right Wood If you aim to frame up a screened porch from scratch, purchase rugged redwood, cedar, or ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) lumber to resist insect and weather-related damage....

Welcome Mat This spooky-chic mat will welcome guests with a haunting hint of Halloween. It’s subtle, so you can leave it out all year long and it won’t frighten off trick-or-treaters. More importantly, durable coir is naturally resistant to mildew and fungus, so the entry upgrade won’t frighten you, either. Black Crow Coir Mat, about $27; Uncommon Goods Zombie Garden Statue This lifelike, gray-toned corpse sculpture—inspired by Montclair Moors, New Jersey—a place infamous for its zombie sightings—is realistic enough to startle the biggest skeptics and killjoys....

Tom’s house was built in 1765, but bouncy floors aren’t just an old-house problem. Even structurally sound, code-compliant new floors can deflect, or flex, more than feels comfortable. There are a variety of ways to stiffen a floor; the method (or methods) Tom chooses depend as much on practicality as on effectiveness. For example, sistering with new lumber—the fix Tom’s dad used—makes sense only if the joist bays are not cluttered with electrical cable, plumbing lines, and ducts....

Our Process A ceiling fan isn’t an easy purchase to make. While fans can help your home become more energy-efficient, we recognize that their high price-point requires a thorough and time-consuming buying experience. Buying Guide Everyone has experienced the discomfort of sitting in a room full of stagnant air. Ceiling fans help prevent this issue by circulating cool air and reducing room temperatures. Some fans’ motors can even be reversed during the winter to push warm air towards your living space, helping you reduce the cost of heating your home....

Top 5 White Noise Machines Best Single Sound: SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine Best Nature Sounds: HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine Most Portable: Dreamegg White Noise Machine Most Sound Settings: Yogasleep White Noise Sound Machine Best For Babies: Hatch Baby Sound Machine Best Single Sound: SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine For those who only need subtle background noise to fall asleep, this white noise machine plays the sound of a real fan without pushing out cold air....

The 8 Best RV Mattresses RV travel has seen a surge in popularity, and the trend is all gas no brakes, insiders say––meaning there are no signs of the migratory movement stopping anytime soon. If you’ve recently taken up a lifestyle that has you living in small but mighty quarters on the road, creating a comfortable sleep space is a crucial piece of enjoying the journey. But before you dive into deciding what you want based on your sleep position preferences, keep in mind that some of the most important RV mattress considerations are size and materials: To ensure the mattress fits in its specified space, you’ll need your vehicle’s measurements....

Detroit, also known as “Motor City,” is known for its ties to the automotive industry and is the birthplace of Motown Records. It’s the largest city in Michigan and, as of 2019, it had a population of 670,031. Other major cities around Detroit include Ann Arbor and Sterling Heights and the Ohio cities of Toledo, Cleveland, and Akron—all areas that require pest control services. The best pest control companies offer decades of experience, highly trained specialists, high quality equipment and products, and more....

The “Before” The wood cabinets were in great shape, but the dark finish was outdated, and made the space feel small and dreary. Protective Measures Start by laying down floor protection, and then cover countertops so they can double as a work surface. You can use canvas drop cloths, but personally I prefer builder’s paper, as it protects well, it’s affordable, and it’s easily discarded/recycled. Preparation Pays Off Yes, some people would say I go a little crazy with prep, but from experience I know that it’s not wasted time....

The neighborhood of Silver Lake has a balanced real estate market, with a pretty even supply and demand for homes in the area. So, no matter if you’re buying or selling a house, you’ll need to work with an experienced realtor to stay competitive. Read on to discover some of the top real estate agents in Silver Lake to guide you through your home buying or selling experience. Benefits of Working with a Top Real Estate Agent in Silver Lake When it comes to a competitive, booming real estate market like the one in Los Angeles, you need an experienced realtor by your side....

Add in the many choices, and you have one of the most versatile and beautiful groups of plants. The keys to those benefits are picking the right vine for the right place and giving it the structural support it needs. CHOOSING A VINE The word vine is a general term for a wealth of plants with varied ways of growing and climbing. Vines can be evergreen or deciduous, flowering or nonflowering, rampant-growing or restrained....

A century after electricity started brightening most U.S. homes and powering pop-up toasters, a second electrification of American life has begun—this one aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels. Car manufacturers will introduce dozens of new electric vehicle (EV) models in the next couple of years, taking affordable EVs deep into the mainstream. Induction cooktops are seeing a drastic increase in market share, and several cities have banned new residential natural-gas hookups altogether....

DIY Summer Projects These 28 fun summer projects, culled from the TOH archives of great weekend upgrades, will enhance your yard, beautify your exterior, and give everyone in the family something exciting to do. Pick and choose from our DIY weekend projects that are right for your home, and soon you’ll have the most attractive and entertaining yard on the block. Make a Herb Planter From a Wagon Looking to spice up your container garden?...