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If you have an older home with a screened in porch, then the method used to install the screening is probably the same method that’s been around forever. This usually involves stretching large portions of screening while nailing or stapling every few inches. In most cases the seams are covered with a painted piece of trim or lath. This method of installing a screen does not involve any complicated tools or know-how, but it has many flaws. It is difficult to stretch the screen evenly and as a result, the screening noticeably sags over time. If the screen is in...

Ever wonder why after putting in the hard work of watering, fertilizing, and mowing your lawn it still is not green? The answer may be because you have not aerated your lawn. If your lawn is hard and tough to puncture, then it is time to aerate your lawn. Lawn aeration is key to making your yard healthy and green. Lawn aeration is the process of making holes in the lawn so that oxygen gets to the roots of the soil allowing it to breathe. This allows organic fertilizers and nutrients access to the root system of the lawn. It...

Of all the rooms in a home, the kitchen is where home buyers place the highest priority in terms of functionality, streamlined design, and where they are most likely to choose top-of-the line materials. According a recent Realtor.com report, homes that include a "killer kitchen” sell 8% faster than similar-sized homes in the same area. Because the kitchen has emerged as a key player in home sales, it offers a distinct opportunity for builders to stand out from the competition by replacing conventional materials—such as granite, marble, or tile—with decorative concrete. In addition to its natural virtues of durability, sustainability, and ease...

Vinyl is one the most popular flooring options available. If you’ve used it before, or experienced it in another home or office then you already know why. For those reading and don’t already know; vinyl is readily effective in a variety of options, it resists water, wears well and doesn’t tire over time. More importantly, it’s much easier to install yourself than carpet and any sort of wood flooring. Take a dive into this article to discover a how-to guide and some helpful tips on how to install vinyl flooring in your home. Proper vinyl installation starts with careful planning...

Most kitchens are woefully underlit. Lighting is often an afterthought, yet even when it’s carefully planned, designers and lighting experts often don’t agree on which lamps work best in particular fixtures and where those fixtures should be located. In what follows, I’ll look at factors such as the number of fixtures and the type of lamps (bulbs) used, but I’m particularly interested in the size and location of recessed can lights. I’ve written about this before (see “The Right Way to Light a Kitchen"), but I recently measured comparative light levels on actual jobsites, and the data backs up my...